#4- Marxist Analysis of Glengary and GlenRoss

In the video clip from Glengary and GlenRoss, the clip shows a speaker from a big company to a smaller satellite office. Throughout the scene the speaker verbally harasses, intimidates and belittles the men. Being familiar with the principles of Marx, we can analyze the elements in the video clip to validate some of his ideas.

One specific issue that both the clip and Marx deal with is class distinction. Certain statements or behavior expressed in the clip correlate with the ideas of Marx. There is a clear distinction made between the reporters to their superior (speaker). In The Formation of the Intellectuals by Antonio Gramsci it is discussed when he says, "The function of organising social hegemony and state domination certainly gives rise to a particular division of labour and therefor to a whole hierarchy of qualifications..."(Gramsci;1007). We can recognize these class separations by specific comments in the clip.

Another idea evident in the clip is relative to production and Marxist beliefs. In the clip, Blake makes a comparison between his ability to produce in abundance and theirs; he asks them if they can produce $15,000 as he can. Thus exemplifying how an individuals ability to produce determines their value. Williams explained this in Base and Superstructure on Marxist Cultural Theory when he said, "The most important thing a worker ever produces in himself" (1426).

The scene also ties in with the Marxist discussion regarding intellectuals. Blake determines that he is something and the employees are nothing based off their inability to produce. Gramsci says in the Formation of Intellectuals that, " All men are intellectuals, one could therefore say: but not all men have in society the function of intellectuals" (1004).

Another idea the clip brought forth was regarding values and the family. Marx described how capitalism "has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation to a mere money relation" (Marx; 659). This is apparent in the clip when Blake criticizes one man for being a family man or going home to play with his children and cry to his wife. The above mentioned comment expresses how the family life becomes feminized and less respected next to monetary status.

The last thing that emphasized Marxist cultural ideas was in relation to commodities. Blake makes a comparison between the employees and himself through the material items he possesses. Ross talks about this idea in The Mental Labor when he says, "being trained in the habit of embracing nonmonetary rewards-as compensation. As a result of this training, low compensation for a high workload can become a rationalized feature of the job" (2590).