Category: Sociology

  • American Beauty Explained – The Sociology of Identity

    It’s often said that American Beauty is a film about identity. Each character seems to go through a very personal identity crisis. But I would argue these crises are not personal at all. They are the products of wider social forces. By focusing on the identities of American Beauty’s characters we can learn a surprising…

  • How I, Daniel Blake Explains Poverty

    Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake is brutally realistic portrayal of poverty in Austerity Britain. Set in Newcastle, it follows Dan and Katie as they try to navigate a frustrating and unforgiving welfare state. In doing so, the film illustrates the ongoing ideological battle between two ways of explaining poverty. Are poor individuals responsible for their own situation? Or is poverty ultimately…