Framing Class Vicarious Living Analysis

Professor at Baylor University, Dianne Kendall, in her essay “Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption,” published in 2005 touches on the fact that what we see from the media is a humongous influence on how we define social classes and argues that the media tends to trivialize issues of class and to downplay the existential problems poverty entails. Television shows such as “Family Guy”, and “Keeping up with the Kardashians” use frames to alter how we perceive social classes, whether it be for good or bad. These frames, in turn, affect how we think about class divisions and economic inequality, and how we relate to the affluent and the poor. Class representations are filtered through a number of frames, which are organized …show more content…
To begin, the main character Walter White is shown struggling financially with a baby on the way, a family to care for, and the looming diagnosis of terminal lung cancer. His family’s precarious socio-economic position is reinforced by the fact that Walt has inadequate health insurance and cannot afford the medical treatment necessary to treat his lung cancer. At the beginning of the series: working a second job at a car wash, begging an ambulance driver not to take him to the ER because he "doesn't have the greatest insurance", fretting over the debt he'll leave behind for his family when he dies (Breaking Bad). Walter is framed through middle class values in that he is a devoted middle class teacher who makes up the “backbone of the nation,” and is simply trying to provide for his family (429). Although, when his life is complicated with medical issues his life takes a turn, and he is forced to try other avenues for income. As Kendall suggests, “anyone can move up the class ladder … if (they) display the best looks, greatest talent, or sharpest entrepreneurial skills” (427). For Walter, this talent was his knowledge of chemistry, and his perfect recipe for meth. Using these skills, he becomes the most sought out chemist in the Nation, and is able to provide for his family - the mission he had all along. Even in the final episodes he says, “There are going to be some things …show more content…
In most serieses the poor remain “faceless,” yet Pinkman is one of the main characters of the show. This complicates Kendall’s thematic framing which silences the struggles of the poor, and sweeps them under the rug. Although, in Jesse’s case, he becomes a well developed character, giving insight into the emotional and financial struggle he faces each day. Even still, his role aligns with Kendall’s premise that the media “emulate(s) the upper classes and shun(s) the working class and the poor” (425). Throughout the series Jesse is screwed over again, and again, often being an afterthought of those who are in control. This confirms that “we need have no allegiance to people in our own class or to those who are less fortunate” (425). Jesse is an uneducated, poor, drug addict who may be a main character, but only so that Walter White can use him to his