"Django Unchained" Sociological Analysis

Sociology 101- Essay #3 Sociological Analysis of “Django Unchained” “Django Unchained” while written to be a fictional and entertaining movie, since its release has become a topic of controversy and debate from all who have seen it. Some have found the movie to be insensitive and even taking a humorous approach in dealing with America’s past on slavery. I however feel differently and by taking a social-conflict approach in analyzing the movie you can clearly see how the movie points out patterns of inequality in everyday life. The conflict theory emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order. Social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources. The movie also demonstrates race-conflict theory, the values and norms of people living in this pre-civil war era, a caste system of the people during this time, a look in to the racist history of the United States , and the abuse of power taken by some individuals. Calvin Candie and Stephen, Django and The Mandingos, and Dr.Schultz’s role all show great examples of these concepts and theories. When you look at Calvin Candie, a revolting racist and sadist who owns a Mississippi plantation played by Leonardo DiCaprio, you cannot help but be appalled. The social conflict approach is best demonstrated by this character. He uses his power and status as a wealthy plantation owner to not only abuse his slaves but basically do whatever he wants with them. He shows how men of power can coerce people to do almost anything. Candie has created an arena of inequality in his plantation called Candieland which throughout the movie generates conflict and eventually change. Candie has a slave named Stephen, played by Samuel L Jackson, whom is worse to his own people than anyone else in the entire film. He is shown countless times in the movie shouting the “N” word, beating other slaves, and being the one to carry out