This week we focused on the concept of discourse and looked at readings in relation to this. In the key readings we can see how ideology, discourse and power are linked; power relations are discursive, power is transmitted and practised through discourse (Machin, 2012: 2) the readings explore how critical discourse analysis (CDA) sought to develop methods and theory that could better capture the interrelationship between language, power and ideology (Machin, 2012: 4).
Looking specifically at discourse, Micheal Foucault who created the theory, believed that discourse was a way for the bourgeoisie to control society; he thought that discourse dominated how we define and organise both ourselves and our social worlds. He believed that power authorises and produces practices and knowledge however he was also optimistic about power, he said that where there is power, there is always resistance (Long, 2012: 364). The following analysis looks at a character who resists from normality and what is expected of them from society.
For this week I have chosen to look at the film 'Bend it like Beckham' (2008) which deals with ideas of what behaviour is and isn't deemed acceptable in a certain culture. Jess, the main character in 'Bend it like Beckham' comes from an indian family who have certain expectations for her, she rebels against these expectations as football is her passion, she is the opposite of a stereotypical indian girl. She is even asked the question "What nice indian family would want a daughter in-law who can kick a football all day but can't make round japati's?" playing football is not an acceptable way of living in her family's eyes, indian girls are expected to cook and marry. From this we can see the discourse of culture shown from the language used but also cultural practises from the family, for example, the film opens with an indian wedding being filmed and the camera man saying "Look sad, indian bride never smiles" this suggests the discourse of how indian women must behave. The main themes of discourse I came across were; culture, which we see from her family and the way they live and expect Jess to live. Sexism, as it is frowned upon that a girl is interested in football, especially an indian girl and racism, being an indian girl living in modern day society, racism is still an issue as Jess faces racial slurs from footballers.
Looking at 'Bend it like Beckham' in relation to the set readings in terms of discourse, we can see from Machin, that discourse plays a part in the communication of power relations, discourse analysis is openly committed to political intervention and social change, however we can also resist power. Foucault speaks of 'Regimes of truth' that are produced by practices and languages, we believe that certain discourses in some way are 'objective' in their pursuit of knowledge; 'Regimes of truth' operate in relation to power, to determine what we can do or how we act in relation to others (Long, 2012: 364). Jess is an example of 'Resistance', doing things that aren't considered normal, however Foucault believed the more the abnormal was practised the more normal it became, in the end of 'Bend it like Beckham' her family become accepting of her identity and her interest in football, it becomes something normal that wasn't considered to be in the beginning.
References:
Long, P and Wall, T (2012). 'Discourse, power and media' IN Media Studies: Texts, Production, context. (2nd edition), London: Pearson. pp 363-369.
Machin, D and Mayr, A (2012). 'How to do a critical Discourse Analysis', London: Sage. pp 1-29.
YOUTUBE (2008). Bend It like Beckham Trailer. Hotfuss44. Available at: Youtube. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsmbObwStSQ> (Updated November 2008, Accessed 8th March 2015).
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