Arya P J

MA English

23001

2024
10 APRIL

Unveiling Class Struggle: A Marxist Analysis of Parasite

“Let the ruling classes tremble at a communist revolution. The proletarians have

nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.

Working Men of All Countries, Unite!”

-Marx & Engels, Communist Manifesto (1848)

Marxism is a theory that advocates a classless society in which the means of

production are owned and controlled by the workers. Karl Marx, German philosopher

and Friedrich Engels were joint founders of Marxist criticism. Marx was the son of a

lawyer, but he spent most of his life in great poverty. Both Marx and Engels called

their economic theories as communism, rather than Marxism as they gave importance

to their belief in state's ownership in industry,transport,etc rather than the private

ownership. The capitalist system stands as a cornerstone of modern economies,

characterized by private ownership of the means of production and the pursuit of

profit through market competition. Inherent to this system is the concept of class

division, wherein individuals are stratified into distinct classes based on their wealth,
income, occupation, and social status. At the top of the hierarchy sits the bourgeoisie,

comprising the capitalist class or owners of capital. The proletariat constitutes the

working class, who sell their labor in exchange for wages or salaries. They lack

ownership of capital and are thus economically dependent on the bourgeoisie.

Literature often portrays the division of society, including the distinction between the

bourgeoisie and the working class. Throughout literary history, authors have used their works to

explore the complexities of social stratification, economic disparity, and the power dynamics

between different social classes. Authors create characters that represent various social classes,

providing insights into their lives, struggles, and interactions. Through these characters, literature

vividly portrays the differences in wealth, status, and opportunities between the bourgeoisie and

the working class. Characters like Stephen Blackpool and the other factory workers in Charles

Dickens' novel Hard Times are subjected to long hours of labor, hazardous conditions, and

meager wages. Dickens depicts the heartlessness of industrialists who prioritize profit over the

well-being of their employees.

Both literature and movies vividly depict the pervasive presence of class division within

society. Movies in different languages portrayed this conflict within society in different ways.

For example, Parasite (Korean), La Haine (French), City of God (Portuguese), Roma (Mexican),

Jagte Raho (Hindi/Bengali), The Salesman (Iranian), Pan's Labyrinth (Spanish), The Battle of

Algiers (Italian Algerian), etc. These films offer diverse perspectives on the theme of class

division in society, exploring its impacts on individuals,communities,and broader socio-political

contexts.
 Parasite is a quintessential example of a film that vividly portrays the division within

society, particularly through the lens of socioeconomic class. It is a South Korean film directed

by Bong Joon Ho, released in 2019. It gained widespread critical acclaim and achieved

commercial success both domestically and internationally. It explores various themes, including

socioeconomic inequality, class struggle, and the consequences of social mobility. It vividly

depicts the disparity between the wealthy and the poor, as well as the lengths to which

individuals will go to improve their socioeconomic status. The film also delves into issues of

exploitation, privilege, and the illusion of upward mobility in a capitalist society.

The film vividly portrays the disparity between the wealthy Park family and the

impoverished Kim family. The Kims, living in a semi basement apartment, represent the

proletariat, while the Parks, living in a luxurious mansion, represent the bourgeoisie. Marxism

talks about the equal distribution of wealth, according to Marxism if there is no equal distribution

of wealth in society the rich became richer, and poor became poorer. In this movie the Park

family have more wealth and they lead very luxurious lives whereas the Kim family struggles to

find food and shelter.

 The Kim family infiltrates the Park household by deceiving them into hiring them as

various domestic servants. This manipulation mirrors the Marxist concept of exploitation, where

the bourgeoisie exploits the labor of the proletariat for their own gain. The Kims perform

essential labor for the Parks but receive minimal compensation compared to the wealth they

generate for the wealthy family. Marxism was against the idea of capitalism, they believed that

capitalism brings gap between people and in a capitalist society there occurs the exploitation of

one class by the other. Compared to the wealth that the Park family gain from their business the

salary that is given to the Kim family is very low.

Karl Marx also talked about the concept of alienation.ie, since the working class people

are continuously exploited, it leads to a kind of alienation and the workers are deskilled. They

were made to perform the same repetitive tasks. In this movie, the Kim family members are

alienated from the fruits of their labor and from each other. They work tirelessly to serve the

Parks but remain economically and socially marginalized. Their living conditions and lack of

upward mobility highlight the alienation experienced by the proletariat under capitalism.

Throughout the film, the Kim family struggle with their own consciousness and identity as they

navigate their relationship with the Parks. They initially view their actions as a means of
survival, but as the story unfolds, they become increasingly aware of the injustices inherent in

the capitalist system.

The film clearly portrays the Marxist concept of Base and Superstructure of society

characterized by stark class inequality, where the wealthy few (such as the Park family) enjoy

lavish lifestyles while the majority (represented by families like the Kim family) struggle to

make ends meet. The film explores how changes in the economic base (such as the Kim family's

infiltration of the Park household) can disrupt the existing superstructure and lead to conflict and

tension. As the Kim family becomes increasingly integrated into the Park household, their

actions disrupt the existing social order and challenge the stability of the superstructure. This

disruption ultimately leads to a violent confrontation and upheaval within the narrative.
 Most important aspect of Marxism is the Economic Determinism, i.e., the superstructure

grows out of base, but the base is always considered as inferior to the superstructure. The

working class's interest is not given importance, but the elite's interest is given importance. This

movie portrays the life of the whole working class people through the Kim family and the Moon-

Gwang family. The Kim family serves as the central focus of the film. The Kims struggle to

make ends meet, taking on various odd jobs to survive. At the beginning of the film, they are

depicted as resourceful and cunning, willing to exploit opportunities to improve their socio-

economic status. While not as central to the narrative as the Kim family, the Moon-Gwang

family plays a significant role in the story. The Moon-Gwang family represents another segment

of the working class, marginalized within the affluent household of the Parks. They live in

secrecy and squalor, performing essential domestic duties while remaining hidden from the Park

family.

The movie portrays huge disparities between the elite and the working class people.

Things that seem to be joyful for the elite are the worst situation for the working class. For

example, the movie presents how even the rain is different for both the sections. For the Kim

family, the rain is often associated with hardship and struggle. Their semi-basement apartment is

vulnerable to flooding, and whenever it rains heavily, their living space becomes inundated with
water, and they were sent to the rehabilitation camp. In contrast, the rain is presented differently

for the Park family, reflecting their privileged position and detachment from the hardships faced

by the Kim family. The Park mansion is equipped with advanced infrastructure and protection

against the elements, shielding them from the inconveniences of heavy rain. And they even plan

a camping trip. The Park family's attitude towards rain is clearly visible in Mrs. Park's scene in

which she says "Today the sky is so blue and no pollution. Thanks to all the rain yesterday. The

rain was such a blessing.”

The elite in society often feel entitled to the labor and resources of the working class,

viewing them as disposable commodities rather than equal members of society. This sense of

entitlement perpetuates the cycle of exploitation and reinforces social hierarchies. Mr. Park's

entitled attitude towards Mr. Kim's smell reflects the broader sense of entitlement often exhibited

by the elite, who believe they are entitled to certain privileges and comforts at the expense of

others. This entitlement reinforces their belief in their own superiority and justifies their

exploitation of the working class. The Park family's attire is elegant, sophisticated, and

impeccably styled. They wear expensive designer clothing, tailored suits, and evening gowns,
reflecting their wealth and social status. Whereas the Kim family selects dress from the donation

box at the rehabilitation camp. It underscores the challenges faced by the working class in

navigating the expectations and norms of the elite, while also highlighting the artificiality of

social distinctions based on appearance and attire.

In Parasite Bong Joon-Ho masterfully weaves a tapestry of socio-economic commentary

through the intricate portrayal of the Kim and Park families. Through contrasting elements such

as living conditions, attitudes towards rain, and dressing styles, the film vividly illustrates the

gaping chasm between the privileged elite and the marginalized working class. The rain, while

serving as a unifying motif, carries different connotations for each family, symbolizing the stark

disparities in their lived experiences. Likewise, the Park family's disdain towards Mr. Kim's

smell encapsulates the dehumanizing attitudes perpetuated by the elite towards those deemed

socially inferior. Finally, the meticulously crafted party scene underscores the artificiality of

social distinctions, as the Kim family's attempt to mimic the Park family's elegance only serves

to highlight their outsider status. Parasite thus emerges as a powerful critique of capitalism,

laying bare the inherent injustices and inequities perpetuated by entrenched class structures.

Through its nuanced exploration of base and superstructure, the film invites viewers to confront

uncomfortable truths about societal privilege and the relentless pursuit of upward mobility in an

unforgiving world.
 REFERENCES

Barry, Peter. Beginning Theory. Manchester Univesity Press,2002.

“What is Capitalism?” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 April 2024,

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Capitalism&oldid=1217778830

“Hard Times:Study Guide” Wikipedia,Sparknotes.

“Category: Films about Social Class” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.