26th Annual Student Research Conference
"Buyout": A Marxist critique of AMC's Breaking Bad
Jared W. McNett
Dr. Mark Smith, Faculty Mentor
Using Daniel Chandlers perspective of Marxist media theory, this paper will examine Breaking Bad, the award-winning AMC cable television network series. Bryan Cranston stars as chemistry teacher Walter White who, after being diagnosed with cancer, turns to cooking crystal-meth to leave money for his family. Seasons 3 and 4 of Breaking Bad make for fascinating texts to analyze from a critical Marxist perspective because of the shows treatment of the disenfranchised proletariat attempting to make sense of the bourgeoisie-burdened society in which they inhabit. In Breaking Bad, the battle between bourgeoisie and proletariat is never ending and sides are determined by the flip of a shiny silver coin.
Keywords: Marxist Criticism, Breaking Bad, Daniel Chandler
Topic(s):Communication
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 407-3
Location: MG 1000
Time: 3:00