Essay on Worlds Of Upheaval

Resource Description

Essay on Worlds Of Upheaval (47/50)

Texts composed in ‘Worlds of upheaval’ are heavily reflective of social and political changes and contexts that showcase the predicaments, aspirations, motivations and ideas of people within these worlds. These texts explore characters within these periods, attempting to warn and reflect authors’ values of their personal context. In Metropolis, social rebellion is caused by exploitation and inequality, in a world of upheaval, ultimately leading to the need for justice and restoration amongst the working class. Fritz Langs’ Metropolis is reflective of the German Weimar period a time of socio-economic chaos and confusion.

Exploitation and inequality are apparent in the opening scene of Metropolis, where intense slow tempo, orchestral music and a high angle shot reduces the workers’ significance. Heavy use of legato drags out music, further proving the workers’ suppression as it is symbolic of the exhaustion faced by the workers. This is then contrasted by the establishment of the ‘Garden of Elegance’ where legato and waltz-like in the music is symbolic of the enchanting, luxurious lifestyle of the upper-class. The Social rebellion due to inequality is highlighted through the workers’ riot scene. In this scene, the use of percussion creating a rhythm which the workers’ walk to creates a united population. This is reflective of the Bolshevik Revolution and subsequent workers’ uprisings in Germany, such as the Spartacist uprising in 1919. The collapse of machines is emphasised through strong-brass fanfare, highlighting the climax of social rebellion. . Chaotic dissonance between low and high pitched instruments further emphasises social change and rebellion in the workers’ riot. The need for justice and restoration in society is shown in the ending scene of the film. The metaphor of positive resolution with the “The mediator between head and hands must be the heart.”, reflect a sense of hope and possibility of the Weimar period, conveying the reconciliation of Metropolis and the unity of the upper and lower class. Metropolis is described by Richard Murphy as an “emotional- psychological figuration of man’s enslavement to the machine and the consequences of technology as physical torture and human degradation.”, prevalent as technology was the causation of social rebellion. Overall, it is apparent that social rebellion in Metropolis was caused by inequality and exploitation yet led to the justice and restoration of society, resolving a world of upheaval.