The movie, Snowpiercer, directed by Bong Joon-Ho is about economic inequality, where the individuals in the tail-section are being treated miserably by others living in the front section of the train. Bong uses various religious theories from Religion: The Basics, in order to point out his message. In the Snowpiercer, Malory Nye’s theory on power is shown through the character development of Wilford, him arranging the people in a specific way confirms that theory. Richard Gombrich’s theory on cognitive vs affective belief, is shown through the main character, Curtis; it reveals how Curtis overcomes his selfishness. Emile Durkheim’s theory of society can be applied to the Snowpiercer, to reveal that lower class people are treated miserably. Furthermore,
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In his theory, Nye mentions, “All ritual actions are about expressing power, about making people subordinate or challenging such subordinacy” (Nye 2008, 149) Basically, Nye is saying we perform certain rituals to symbolically grant ourselves power over others. This is evident in the Snowpiercer; Wilford has ritualistically granted himself a symbolic power over others by arranging the train the way he wants to arrange it. Alternatively, later on, Nye talks about power, “One function of such rituals is not merely to make the necessary transformation… clear to a wider social group” (Nye 2008, 149) Nye’s theory is even better illustrated when considering the placement and the role of Wilford. Wilford has placed himself above everyone else in the train to maintain and solidify the theory that he is essentially a king. Although Wilford is mostly unseen and only ever talked about and mentioned by the other passengers, his power is somehow felt by the people of the train. In short, the use of Wilford’s power led to social inequality, since he is the one that controls the fate of all the passengers on the
In his theory, Nye mentions, “All ritual actions are about expressing power, about making people subordinate or challenging such subordinacy” (Nye 2008, 149) Basically, Nye is saying we perform certain rituals to symbolically grant ourselves power over others. This is evident in the Snowpiercer; Wilford has ritualistically granted himself a symbolic power over others by arranging the train the way he wants to arrange it. Alternatively, later on, Nye talks about power, “One function of such rituals is not merely to make the necessary transformation… clear to a wider social group” (Nye 2008, 149) Nye’s theory is even better illustrated when considering the placement and the role of Wilford. Wilford has placed himself above everyone else in the train to maintain and solidify the theory that he is essentially a king. Although Wilford is mostly unseen and only ever talked about and mentioned by the other passengers, his power is somehow felt by the people of the train. In short, the use of Wilford’s power led to social inequality, since he is the one that controls the fate of all the passengers on the