17th Annual Student Research Conference
Language & Literature
An Interpretation of Spike Lee's Film Do the Right Thing From a Marxist Perspective
Xavier Mordret
Dr. Cole Woodcox, Faculty Mentor
This presentation applies Marxist theory to a scene from the 1989 film Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee to provide an insight into the values and beliefs the film deals with. The paper examines one scene in particular: the outbreak of a riot in a blighted area of New York City. Focusing on this scene accents themes and extends them to a broader interpretation of the film as a whole. Whereas most analyses of this film highlight either racial or economic issues to account for social tension, this presentation stresses that Spike Lee shows – in a holistic perspective- the degree to which economic and race relationships are interlocked social constructions.
Keywords: marxist theory, econonomic relations, race relationships, riot, narration devices, Spike Lee
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 20-5
Location: VH 1304
Time: 11:00