Sociological Observation
Throughout the film there are many various connections that this movie can have towards the field of sociology. The basis of sociology is to systematically study human society. Within the film, the show that Truman is being filmed for, entitled The Truman Show, is a great example of the study of sociology. Truman is monitored and watched every day of every week of every year of his entire life. In effect, The Truman Show is a perfect representation of indirect sociological observation.
Throughout the film there are many various connections that this movie can have towards the field of sociology. The basis of sociology is to systematically study human society. Within the film, the show that Truman is being filmed for, entitled The Truman Show, is a great example of the study of sociology. Truman is monitored and watched every day of every week of every year of his entire life. In effect, The Truman Show is a perfect representation of indirect sociological observation.
Social Interaction
Another important theme of sociology that stood throughout the film was social interaction. This theme played a large part in this film because most of what Truman experienced within his day was consistent with how other people treated him. Even though most everything he saw or did in his life was either scripted or filmed, Truman himself, felt that these interactions, all of the emotions and feelings, were real. He was presented with a situation where he only thought that what he was experiencing was real. As the film progressed he began to notice odd things about his world and about the people he lived with. This caused him to start acting much weirder and delve into what was happening. When I noticed this in the film the most was when I saw in the background of one of the scenes, an arch in which was inscribed the Latin phrase Unus Pro Omnibus, Omnes Pro Uno which means, "One for All, All for One". If this doesn't stand out to you, I don't know what does...
Another important theme of sociology that stood throughout the film was social interaction. This theme played a large part in this film because most of what Truman experienced within his day was consistent with how other people treated him. Even though most everything he saw or did in his life was either scripted or filmed, Truman himself, felt that these interactions, all of the emotions and feelings, were real. He was presented with a situation where he only thought that what he was experiencing was real. As the film progressed he began to notice odd things about his world and about the people he lived with. This caused him to start acting much weirder and delve into what was happening. When I noticed this in the film the most was when I saw in the background of one of the scenes, an arch in which was inscribed the Latin phrase Unus Pro Omnibus, Omnes Pro Uno which means, "One for All, All for One". If this doesn't stand out to you, I don't know what does...
Socialization
A third enduring theme of sociology that was persistant in the film was the idea of socialization. Socialization played a large part in this film because both Truman and the people watching the show inside of the film experienced the effects of this TV-subculture. On Truman's side, he experienced socialization as he was the main character of a TV show. And like TV characters, Truman recieved essentially everything he would ever need for his life within this dome-village. His socialization was one of a TV protagonist. All of his friends were scripted and all of the people he knew were not actually there for him. On the opposite side of the screen, the people who watched this TV show were taking part in socialization too. This TV show was renowned worldwide and almost everyone watched it. This made this TV show a part of the culture of not only a city, not only a country, but a part of the culture of the world. This socialization made people believe that The Truman Show was just as an important part of culture as dressing in public or eating with your mouth closed.
A third enduring theme of sociology that was persistant in the film was the idea of socialization. Socialization played a large part in this film because both Truman and the people watching the show inside of the film experienced the effects of this TV-subculture. On Truman's side, he experienced socialization as he was the main character of a TV show. And like TV characters, Truman recieved essentially everything he would ever need for his life within this dome-village. His socialization was one of a TV protagonist. All of his friends were scripted and all of the people he knew were not actually there for him. On the opposite side of the screen, the people who watched this TV show were taking part in socialization too. This TV show was renowned worldwide and almost everyone watched it. This made this TV show a part of the culture of not only a city, not only a country, but a part of the culture of the world. This socialization made people believe that The Truman Show was just as an important part of culture as dressing in public or eating with your mouth closed.
Material Culture
Material culture also played a small part in this film in an unorthodox way. Within the film there was times when the camera would zoom in on a character that was holding or talking about an object or a product that made this part in the film seem like it was an advertisement for a coffee or a kitchen utensil. Later in the film, this was actually discussed by the "real" people within the film. The creators of the in-film Truman Show talked about how everything used by Truman in the show was actually sold in real life. So when the camera zoomed in on Meryl holding the coffee and the kitchen utensil you could say that it was showing viewers the material culture. Within the film the people would buy these objects and stores were filled with Truman Show-related brand projects. This shows viewers how something like a material culture works.
Material culture also played a small part in this film in an unorthodox way. Within the film there was times when the camera would zoom in on a character that was holding or talking about an object or a product that made this part in the film seem like it was an advertisement for a coffee or a kitchen utensil. Later in the film, this was actually discussed by the "real" people within the film. The creators of the in-film Truman Show talked about how everything used by Truman in the show was actually sold in real life. So when the camera zoomed in on Meryl holding the coffee and the kitchen utensil you could say that it was showing viewers the material culture. Within the film the people would buy these objects and stores were filled with Truman Show-related brand projects. This shows viewers how something like a material culture works.
Social Control
One of the most persistent, and in my personal opinion, eye-opening, themes of this movie is in relation with the sociology based perspective of social control. By definition social control is when society attempts to control the people's thoughts and behaviors. This can be seen in many different examples in real life through censorship, live broadcasting, parental guidance, even something like dance chaperones are a great example of social control. Within this film social control is one of the most important things when it comes to the case of Truman Burbank. Christof will try anything he can to make sure that Truman does not learn that this is all a set-up. Truman is taught to be afraid of water so that his boundaries will be the shore and then he is blockaded by nuclear power plants, freak "fire-storms", and a police-stop. These are all ways of making sure Truman remains in his "safe-zone". A lot of what he experiences in his everyday life is created and directed by someone else. But when Lauren enters Truman's life it is his wake-up call. He begins to see the patterns, he recognizes small mistakes that actors make. He begins to take control over himself and he makes his own decisions. By the end of the movie, we are supposed to believe that Truman has left his "shell". He has become a human being. He will of course experience things like pain and disappointment but he will be able to experience it himself. Not by the hands of a TV show creator. This is the end of his predisposed social control.
One of the most persistent, and in my personal opinion, eye-opening, themes of this movie is in relation with the sociology based perspective of social control. By definition social control is when society attempts to control the people's thoughts and behaviors. This can be seen in many different examples in real life through censorship, live broadcasting, parental guidance, even something like dance chaperones are a great example of social control. Within this film social control is one of the most important things when it comes to the case of Truman Burbank. Christof will try anything he can to make sure that Truman does not learn that this is all a set-up. Truman is taught to be afraid of water so that his boundaries will be the shore and then he is blockaded by nuclear power plants, freak "fire-storms", and a police-stop. These are all ways of making sure Truman remains in his "safe-zone". A lot of what he experiences in his everyday life is created and directed by someone else. But when Lauren enters Truman's life it is his wake-up call. He begins to see the patterns, he recognizes small mistakes that actors make. He begins to take control over himself and he makes his own decisions. By the end of the movie, we are supposed to believe that Truman has left his "shell". He has become a human being. He will of course experience things like pain and disappointment but he will be able to experience it himself. Not by the hands of a TV show creator. This is the end of his predisposed social control.