Capital: Representation question (25 marks)

To what extent do the representations in Capital reflect the concerns of modern 21st century London life? [25 marks]

Capital presents a variety of different representations in terms of issues that the audience are able to relate to such as gender, ethnicity, family and immigrants. 

Within the first couple of scenes, representations of family and ethnicity are already presented; the first relatable representation is of a Pakistani family who own a corner shop, and they are mistaken for being Indians, ironically by of the main characters who is a white lady; this suggests white people are uneducated when it comes to different ethnicity’s and the stereotype of an Asian family who work together to maintain a shop is presented. However, the typical stereotype of a bad-tempered shop keeper is defied; when Rogers wife comes in to ask if they had any coriander, he kindly offered a free bunch to her without expecting anything in return. This presents them to be very respectful and challenges the stereotype of a modern Asian family in the modern 21st century. 

Similarly, the Muslim culture is presented very stereo typically; an example of this is in one of the very first couple of scenes when we are shown Ahmed (the shopkeeper) working in his shop and his son is taking down magazines that contain pornographic images and placing then into a 'returns' box and he says "it is my duty as a Muslim". This encourages the 'typical Muslim man' stereotype because they do not condone women or images of women to be dressed inappropriately and derogatorily. The representation presented here further reinforces the Islam culture and portrays their ethics and morals as well as their dedication to their religion. We are also shown Ahmed and his family having dinner at the dining table together, while his wife is on face time nagging at him and the children; although she is nagging, there is an element of love and care. On the other hand, not once do the audience see Roger and his family having dinner or any family time at all; this shows the difference between a man who is family orientated and money orientated. 

Another representation is of African immigrants, who works exceptionally hard to bring in a pay check as a parking warden; Capital reflects the issue with immigrants and asylum workers very accurately in terms of presenting the struggles they go through to make money. Quentina (the asylum worker) works as a parking warden where she is payed off the books; however, she is taken advantage of. As she reports back to the person she is working for after a long day’s shift, Quentina earns £300 but is only paid £200 because the guy took his commission. As well as being rinsed of her money she worked hard for, there are also aspects of sexual abuse/ harassment as her boss told her to give her a kiss on the cheek before she was given the money. This reflects the concerns of modern 21st century London life because many people must work illegally to survive in comparison to the like of Roger who stresses about losing large amounts of money in bonuses after receiving a large pay rate per annum.

Representations of a white upper-class family are also portrayed. Roger, who is a city banker, lives with his wife and two kids in a very up market house in south London. As a city Banker, Roger earns large salary as throughout the episode, we hear businessmen talking about huge sums of money; however, he is presented to be very selfish and out of touch with society because we hear Roger say “what use is 30 grand?”. To a working class person, 30 grand would be a lot of use, but to Roger it is nothing which presents the stereotype of white male business men to be very money orientated. In one scene, we are also given the same impression about his wife; while conversing with Roger about all the things that are necessities in her life, wet rooms and private schools are those upon the list. However, when Roger expresses his concerns about receiving his bonus, his wife immediately turns around and goes straight to sleep. This shows that his wife is only with him for his money.