COMICS JOURNAL 20: Marxist Theory in Watchmen
Group Presentation
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Applying the Marxist Theories including base, division of labor, superstructure, and revolution in Watchmen, which was created by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons.Base
In Marxist theory, human beings produce their means of subsistence (base) such as the shelter, safe living environment, clothes, and food based on their needs.
Base in Watchmen --> a world without nuclear wars
In Watchmen, Veidt, who later named himself Ozymandias, wanted to create a world without nuclear wars (base), he made a devastating plan by teleporting an alien to New York City in order to make the governments join together and fight against a common enemy instead of attacking each other.
Division of Labor
In Marxist theory, human beings will divide their work through the division of labor in order to achieve an effective production for the society. As a result, different classes are formed eventually and inevitably according to their socialeconomic position.
Division of Labor in Watchmen --> different classes and roles in the society
In Watchmen, all of the characters and organizations have their own specific roles (division of labor). For instance, the costumed heroes act as crime fighters to protect the city, Veidt sponsored big projects such as the Hoax Invasion with the attempt of bringing peace to the world, different governments built their own arms and military with the intent of protecting and fighting against each other, and even the detectives who investigated the Blake’s death have their own special duty, all of these people and organizations have their own identified responsibilities in the society (i.e. division of labor). With the division of labor, people are divided into different classes according to their socialeconomic positions. For example, Ozymandias is in the upper class and has higher influence to the government and society. Nite Owl II is in the middle class and has limited influence to the community. Rorschach and Comedian are in the lower oppressed group that easily exploited by the upper and middle class. For example, Ozymandias killed the Comedian only because he knew a part of his huge plans but Ozymandias was not punished. Rorschach punished and killed the evil but was arrested by the police and the Nite Owl II has to broke into the prison by force to get him out. And Rorschach was finally killed by Dr Manhattan who was in or above the middle class. (Dr manhattan is possibly beyond the upper class due to his special and powerful super power.)
Superstructure
Another important point of Marxist theory emphasized that superstructure such as religion, culture, beliefs, and art are all generated from the “base”.
Superstructure in Watchmen --> Veidt's crazy idea and beliefs
In Watchmen, Ozymandias believed that creating a common enemy for the world can stop the governments fighting against each other. This belief (superstructure) is generated from his wish of having a world without nuclear war (base). On the other hand, the costumed heroes believed that the city needs Watchmen to fight against the crimes (superstructure) because the police or the existing law and order maybe ineffective (base).
Revolution by Force
Marx believed that most of the revolutions only changed the ideology, but not the material base. Therefore, these revolutions were ultimately unsuccessful. For example, one king replaced another king, the repressed class still being repressed, conflicts will continue to exist, and another revolution will inevitably happen again. Therefore, the oppressed class must take their freedom “by force”, and by changing the material relations of production in order to achieve a real revolution.
Manmade disaster in Watchmen --> Killing 1/2 NY residents to raise government's awareness
In Watchmen, Veidt teleported an alien (by force) to make the divided governments stopped the attempt of nuclear wars and unite together to fight against a common enemy (changed material relations of production). Veidt considered this plan as a victory (a real revolution) because the change is not an administrative change in a government but a change in the base such as giving up nuclear weapons, stop attacking other countries, and fight with the same enemy, the alien. Veidt is social-economically extremely well off. However, due to his limited power to stop the potential nuclear wars as all other people, he is one of the members in the oppressed world who are victims of the arms race of different governments. As a result, he used a solution that is extremely drastic.
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