The inmates are each very clearly members of very different
cliques within the prison. The cliques in this show are mostly separated by
what race the character is. The Caucasian women seem to stick together;
similarly the Latino and African American women also stick to their own
groups. All though there is not a lot of
conflict between the groups in this episode that has not always been the case.
Throughout the seasons the different classes within the prison have conflicted
and fought with each other. Another group of people within the show is the
guards. The relationship between the guards and the inmates is a good example
of class conflict. Throughout this episode we see the guards getting onto the
prisoners for various reasons. For example, when Piper hugs Alex in the
cafeteria and the guards yell at them.
The cliques within the prison also hold different
ideologies. In this episode ideology is highlighted through the group of
inmates who believe they are witches. This group of women partakes in different
rituals and meetings. I believe that this group holds these ideologies simply
to make them feel different.
In this episode we also see alienation. Alex alienates
herself when she returns to the prison because she did not expect to be back in
that position. Pennsatucky also alienates herself during this episode because
she feels bad about aborting her unborn children.
One of the biggest things that I see in Orange is the New Black is false consciousness. This entire show
falsifies to the viewer what life in prison is like. This show in a way
glamorizes what life is like in prison. Orange
is the New Black is full of drama, cliques and emotion, but it does not
portray what it would really be like emotionally or physically to serve time in
a prison. Last year real world prisons even decided to change the color of
jumpsuits to help prevent the show from glamorizing prison life. According to
an article by the Washington Post, the reality of life in prison is much more
violent, emotional, and brutal.
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ReplyDeleteI find it really interesting that you mentioned the fact at prisons have changed the color of the jump suites, I can definitely see how the show can give a false view of life in prison.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed the different colored jump suits before and wondered what that was all about. I agree that the show goes out of their way to really highlight racial cliques.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed the different colored jump suits before and wondered what that was all about. I agree that the show goes out of their way to really highlight racial cliques.
ReplyDeleteI like how you talk about the color of the jumpsuits in your final paragraph. I noticed at the beginning of the first episode, "I Wasn't Ready," when the inmates first come into the prison, they are wearing orange jumpsuits instead of the tannish ones everyone else is wearing. I think that this was the creators' way of showing how the newcomers are underdogs in this situation and the existing prisoner are their superiors. This example contributes to the class conflict in Marxist theory.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the glamorization of prison life. Each character seems to have an interesting and unique personality, which would not necessarily be the case in the real world. It almost seems like a reincarnation of high school; people are too comfortable with their social standing and situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I mentioned the same thing about Alex alienating herself. She was embarrassed to be back and was not ready to reconnect with anyone or anything there... Good writing.
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