The Theory of Social Exchange in the The Color Purple - Movie Review Example

?Journalism, Mass Media and Communication Task Introduction We live in a diverse world with different people. People with different personality and characters. In a bid to succeed and survive societal interaction is inevitable (Cook K & Rice). One is bound to gain or lose in these social relationships. The concept of gaining means that the society is positively responsive to ones need. If one is losing then its means that the society needs are inversely proportional to ones needs and thus a conflict occur. The theory of social exchange is well demonstrated in the movie the color purple. It is a movie with different characters and demonstrates love, hatred, racism, poverty and sexism. There is a direct link between the theory and the movie as explained below. Social Exchange Theory In-depth Major reason for business set up to any entrepreneur is to make profit. In order to make profits one need to reduce costs and maximize returns. Thus the concept of cost benefit analysis emerges. One need to weigh the cost incurred in relation to benefits derived. In case the cost exceeds the benefits a loss occurs and thus the business is no longer profitable. The same concept applies in social exchange theory. The benefit derived in a relationship is a reward. A reward may be in form of closer ties, promotion at the work place, enhanced relationship and support. In a bid to benefit from these virtues one need to cultivate a culture acceptable with a view of morerewards. An idea that depicts approval is the one that ends up being repeated and vice versa. Aclient who returns for more service is the one has been satisfied with the service provided before. Thus it can be demonstrated whether a particular behavior is bound to be repeated by analyzing degree of returns (approval level) or punishment (disapproval level) as a result of the interaction. In order to demonstrate this following formula is applicable: Profits = interaction rewards –interaction costs. A more diverse example in this concept are rewards- money, benefits that are tangible such as gifts, gestures ranging from a nod to patting on the back. Punishments can be shown in different forms such as regular beating, humiliation in public, raised eye brows, facial frowning and execution (Cook K & Rice). The Color Purple This movie took place in the early 1900s. It was acted in South –United States on America. It is a movie that’s demonstrates intense struggle faced by a young African American girl known as Celie Harris. The girl was abused by her father when she was young. By the time she was fourteen she had two children by her ‘dad’ (Leonard Jackson). Leonard forced her daughter Celie to be married by a young wealthy widower known as Albert Johnson. This clip shows how Albert treats Celie like a slave demonstrating how he loathed her. Despite the beating that she received Celie was forced by Albert to make a clean up of his household and look after his disobedient children. A sister to Celie (Nettie) at one time gives them a visit and the movie shows a brief change of environment as the sisters happily conversed.Celie is thrilled as her sister offers to teach her how to write. But the experience is short-lived as Albert tries to make immediate affectionate moves to Nettie who declined and was thrown out. Celie is promised by Nettie to constantly be receiving letters from her and saying that only death can keep them from it. In another scene a friend to Albert known as Shug Avery comes to live with Albert's family. Shug describes Celie as an ugly woman but despite this their relationship is cordial. At once instance Celie and Shug engage in sexual intimacy. Apart from strength gained from ShugCelie’s life is strengthened by Sofia who is Albert's daughter in law. Sofia is married by Albert's son Harpo. Just like Celie Sofia had faced a hard life with men. But this woman demonstrates her high hearted nature a move taken by surprise by Celie. Sofia's high spirit resulted to her failure in life. At one time she is beaten and physically abused when she provocatively hurled an insult to the mayor’s wife and punching the mayor himself. Another Scene reveals that Nette is performing her missionary duties in Africa. The love that she have for her sister despite the distance apart is beyond bound and she constantly writes to her. Her writing effort is thwarted by Albert who withdraws all correspondence from Celie. At one time he arrogantly assures Celie that she will never hear from her sister again. During a visit Shug and Celie discover past correspondence from her sister. The strength that she gain by knowing that her sister is still alive is immeasurable. This makes her gain confidence to a level of slitting Albert's throat. Celie is physically stopped by Shug from engaging in the vice. Example of the clips is as shown below: Discussion of the movie clips in relation to the theory The movie depicts existence of love cherished between two sisters. It is this love relationship that binds them to an extent of being inseparable. Celie’s sister is reciprocating this love by constant communication with her sister despite the fact that they are distant apart. This is a reward that Celie gets for such advancement. According to Cook, K. S., & Rice, E a person who gets a positive compliment or assistance from another is likely to return for more assistance. From the movie the unfriendly environment the surrounds Celie family doesn’t hinder Nettie from visiting her. Nettie does not get good treatment from Celie’s husband regardless of the assistance that she is according the family. If the cost of a relationship exceeds the benefit ofparty. In most cases a conflict occurs and can be aggravated when the aggrieved party wishes for revenge. This is well demonstrated in the movie when Celie want to slit the throat of her husband. According to Cook K & Rice punitive measures are bound to be undertaken by the aggrieved party in any social relationship and vice versa. But in most cases the aggrieved party will take a soft stand if the oppressor straightens up his character. This is in a bid of avoiding punishments. The movie shows initial mistreatment towards Celie by Shug. But Shug rectifies his deeds and at one time gets sexual favors from Celie. Further Analysis Recognition The main character in the movie Celie is an African American woman who faced stigma in the society. This was a rampant experience faced by African-American individuals. The living conditions made it difficult for African women to be recognized and in turn recognize themselves. Another area embraced by the author of the film is the concept of womanism. This demonstrates the cumbersome nature and experience faced by black women in the society at the beginning of 20th century in the US. The concept of recognition is well appreciated and demonstrated clearly when these individual recognize themselves. In the movie one of the scenes shows Celie recognizing herself and become conscious of her own being. In the scenes displayed the main character Celie who initially is uneducated helpless reverse her nature and becomes a person well respected, influential, free and self-governing. This aspect is further demonstrated by Celie who is not allowed to study by recognize her own effort and capability and hence allowed her sister to show her how to learn. In one of the scene Nettie tries to explain to her how the earth isn’t flat. Nettie is determined to make her sister happy by pronouncing her as learned with her main intention of gaining faith from her. Time Space and uniqueness As displayed in the clips highlighted the movie shows the protagonist rising from her early teenage level to her early sixties. The aspect of space is well illustrated by the breakup of relationships among different characters, whilst the aspect of identity is demonstrated by Celie sudden change of her life to full recognition of her own self. Celie change is characterized by variation in space and time. Oppression The movie shows how black women were oppressed by their male counter parts in the society. Despite the oppression revolving around black women white women also face the stigma from the dominant white male. In addition there was a rampant oppression faced by black women regarding race, class and sex issues. Identity The protagonist in the movie eventually recognizes herself. Researchers have concluded that the fulfillment of one identity is by being true to oneself. By being true to oneself a person must be able to define himself. After defining oneself a person will be able to ascertain his own nature and hence gain recognition from others. Initially Celie could not define herself. Basically in the 18th century people had a challenge of defining and redefining their lives. The idea of looking inside one self and defining one’s life has been used ever since. Conclusion The basics of social interactions emerge from varied sources. Some of such sources that can give a clear view are family relationships, work related relationships, parenting and family violence. Some of the aspects applicable in these scenarios are that people are coherent and come up with the best possible ways of rewarding situations. The same is true in the situations of avoiding punishments. In the situation when profit will be derived people tend to be more involved and repel in an otherwise situation. In this regard credit from social relationship is more valued than social indebtness (Cook K & Rice). Reference Cook, K. S., & Rice, E. (2006). Social exchange theory (pp. 53-76). Springer US Read More