Ideologies define the normative beliefs and values adopted within a specified group of individuals. As such, ideologies are entirely used for purposes that are not purely based on abstract epistemology. Louis Althusser notes that ideologies emanate from a belief that imagined existences relate to the societal-presumed real conditions. In the Althusserian sense, ideology is inculcated through the process of interpellation, which denotes how people are accustomed to ideas and cultural values before internalizing them. He also states that ideologies embody a mystified representation of what the world considers as natural or right, though the illustrations are necessarily biased and lack substantial objective knowledge. This study seeks to advance an argument for the “Fun Run”, which is the first episode, aired in the American comedy television series, The Office, by establishing its position as an ideological text.
As the episode unfolds, Michael Scott accidentally hits Meredith Palmers with his car on arrival at work. Michael is frustrated about the incident but resolves to take her to the hospital for treatment on her fractured pelvis. Contextually, this is the first instance that portrays human ideology on what is perceived as wrongdoing towards a person. Althusser holds that desires, choices, preferences, intentions, and judgments stem from social practices, which inherently define how individuals portray their image ( Althusser, 2006) . Intuitively, Michael Scott understands that ramming into a person is consciously wrong and he consequently accords Meredith the help she needed. Afterwards, he also creates awareness of the situation at the office despite the clash he anticipates after breaking the news. Notably, Michael decides to do what is expected in a contemporary humane situation. Indeed, in many other occurrences, offenders negate the need to take responsibility for their faults. Therefore, the scene signifies the ideological composition of what responsibility is like. Additionally, societal practices dictate that guilt and anger mediate between ideology and policy preference, especially when establishing moral conviction ( Althusser, 2000 ). Due to guilt, Michael easily finds his way of seeking medical attention for the victimized. This would differ in situations where anger dictates the strategies a person would prefer when reacting to such eventualities. Therefore, in a typical situation such as Michael’s, guilt may build up and prevent one from finding appropriate ideologies that befit a particular outcome. Also, anger might offset the reasoning capability and may necessitate lesser conformity to ideological beliefs.
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Angela Martin trusts Dwight Schrute to care for her cat named Sprinkles. Schrute euthanizes the cat, which leads to relationship problems. First, the ideologies espoused in this narration reflect the beliefs and values that influence decision making and the principles that guide human action. For instance, the euthanasia topic has spurred major debate in the contemporary world. While some humans value mercy, that is, killing to relieve pain and distress, especially from terminal illnesses, others value to protect the sanctity of the human soul. Specifically, religion has been at odds with the issues relating to the legalization of euthanasia based on this belief. Similarly, Angela is furious that euthanizing Sprinkles will prevent it from getting to a “cat heaven”. This episode depicts ideology as something the society considers natural or right. As Althusser indicates, an ideology’s primary purpose is to give a mystified representation of the social system, a representation that is necessarily biased and tendentious (Althusser, 2006). This, therefore, explains why individuals will hold different views regarding euthanasia; whether it should be carried out for pain relief purposes, or if it is morally right or wrong for someone to end someone’s life.
Michael believes that the office is cursed when he heard news about Sprinkle’s death, the virus found on Pam's computer as well as the accident involving Meredith. He states that he is not superstitious but a “little-stitious”. Curses are expressions and wishes made upon individuals, places or objects, which indicate that a form of adversity will befall them. While curses are simply some mythical compilations grounded on belief systems and values inculcated therein, significant disputes arise when decisions are made based on those ideologies. It suffices to say that Michael is too naïve to think the misfortunes befalling the office originate from the curse, and not human recklessness or maybe disorientation. The naivety in believing in systemic ideologies is that individuals would make different claims on an occurrence, without necessarily spending time on demystifying the real issue. Arthur alludes that ideologies are formulated to mislead objective knowledge. Also, Althusser referred closely to the theoretical foundations of Marxism ( Turner, 2014). However, he is better known as the structural Marxist because of his contributions in structuralism, a methodology that states the human culture is understood by exploring a broader structure of what accelerates human action, thought, perception, and feelings ( Harland, 2013 ). Such structures also suggest the process of modifying human thoughts.
Michael’s decision to sponsor a fun run for rabies in the attempt to seek reconciliation with Meredith denotes how ideology provides a sense of what is correct in a given society. Michael believes that Meredith deserves an apology for the damages she suffered. This indicates responsiveness to human values and regard for what is right. In addition, by saving Meredith from prior undetected rabies condition, Michael is proud to create more awareness to the public on rabies infections, through the "Michael Scott's Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race for the Cure". Thus, ideologies provide individuals with a sense of satisfaction and relief ( Harland, 2013 ). Michael is satisfied that he completed the race, as he rants about how he had triumphed over the human body. He also believes his determination was evident for everyone who applauded his finish. In the end, Meredith forgives Michael who gives an affirmation of ideology in defining neutrality in feeling and forgiveness. While people are reluctant to justify an action or offer just solutions, a connection developing in the human soul is enough to establish assenting or dissenting bonds. This reveals how a genuine apology would extensively affect a person’s considerations, alter their thinking, and result in amending their position on forgiveness.
Conclusively, the episode “fun run” develops ideological texts that narrate about humanism based on the fundamental and changing aspects of human thinking. Through the character Michael Scott, the episode portrays elements of responsibility, belief in curses, and remorse. While taking responsibility and apologizing can be aligned to ideologies that suggest what is correct in a society, Michael’s belief on curses responds to the structures developed within society on ill wishes or blasphemed expressions. Additionally, Dwight Schrute and Angela Martin portray a scenario on mercy-killing, mainly referred to as euthanasia in the modern medical practice. The issues arising out of euthanasia, especially on the moral position of the act, and the dispositions of a “cat-heaven,” illustrate ideology as a process of interpellation; that ideologies are not solely owned by an individual, but are presented universally for unconditional acceptance.
References
Althusser, L. (2006). Ideology and ideological state apparatuses (notes towards an investigation). The anthropology of the state: A reader , 9 (1), 86-98.
Althusser, L. (2000). Ideology interpellates individuals as subjects. Identity: A reader , 31-38.
Harland, R. (2013). Superstructuralism . Routledge.
Turner, B. S. (2014). Marx and the End of Orientalism (Routledge Revivals) . Routledge.
