Maisya Noviana

16019011
Seminar on Literature

Affirming American Power Through Intelligence and Technology

A. INTRODUCTION

Contagion is an American medical thriller film and directed by Steven Soderbergh in

2011. It contains a virus that spreads and creates a global pandemic. This film is realistic and

interesting to be discussed. It is a frightening speculation about how a new airborne virus

could enter the human species. The virus also spread perpetually in very little time. The

setting of this movie is made even more tense by showing the spread of the virus that has

increased significantly in several countries that are dominated by fairly dense populations.

Medical researchers and public health officials struggle to identify the disease and find the

vaccine. This condition is not only caused mass panic among citizens but also in the

government. Thus, its situation creates chaos in all aspects. However, this film is filled with

computer screens, phones, video conference calls, graphics, and charts. It is as much about

the spread of communication and technology as it is about a virus. It means that technological

progress is developing rapidly which is supported by science and power. Thus, it shows that

knowledge and power are the dominant and important things in this film. That's the reason

why contagion film is readable to be discussed.

 B. DISCUSSION

The Contagion shows about American position to affirm and impose his power in dominating

the world through the global pandemic. The setting of this film set up in some countries such

as Chicago, Atlanta, London, Geneva, San Fransisco, and Hongkong. Through setting can be

seen that there are the ideas that affirm the American position as highest and authoritative

than the other nation. In this film, Hongkong explained as the resource of the virus. They

cannot analyze and find the vaccine of the virus. It means Hongkong admitted as ignorant and

powerless. However, in reality, Hongkong is rapidly growing and become the center of the

world' finance. American is described as the only and one country that can find the vaccine.

Even though in chaos situation, America is still can overcome the case. Its condition relates

to Michael Fucoult's theory of Power and knowledge. According to Marry Klages's book

(2006), "Foucault is primarily interested in examining how discourse creates relationships of

power/knowledge which then become the framework within which human thought and action

are possible. For Foucault, ideology is always expressed in the discourse, in texts produced as

knowledge about a certain topic or area". In this film, American imposes their ideas through

discourse. Thus, they have the authority to create the rule and policy to control the other.

They can dominate the powerless. They construct and enforce the mechanism of authoritative

rule. Thus, American becomes the center of human thought and act. It can be seen through

the intelligence and advanced technology of American.

In terms of intelligence, it can be proven through setting below:

 “What we are hearing from|Beijing is that the outbreak is contained...
...to the Chrysanthemum complex|in Hong Kong.
Two deaths and 10 suspected cases.
How are we defining "contained?"
They're using the same protocols|established for SARS.
They're quarantining the complex|and screening for symptoms.
Kowloon is the most densely|populated area in the world...
...and Hong Kong is a harbor.
It's going to spread.
Hong Kong is sending us blood samples.
We're also looking at samples|from London.”

The quotation above explains the condition and position of Hongkong in American's

perspective. Through setting Hongkong is claimed as the cause of viruses. It means that

Hongkong is depicted with a bad image. Therefore, it creates a stigma that admits Hongkong

as a bad country. They do not have enough knowledge and technology to identify the virus. It

shows Hongkong fails in finding the solution to fix the virus. The word 'contained' sign that

Hongkong is a powerless state. It means the state's security defense is frail. It can be attacked

by any problems. Its state has no firm base as a country. Thus, it emphasizes that America is

a powerful nation in any aspect.

The intelligence of American can be seen from public health officials such as the doctors and

scientists. It can be seen in the following quotation below:

“Dr. ELLIS CHEEVER: Well, these things happen|up there from time to
time. Meningitis in a college dorm|after a swim meet...
...or West Nile in some summer camp|near a lake.
Dr. ERIN MEARS :I was reading that last summer they had|an outbreak of
enterovirusencephalitis.
A hundred and three cases |mainly children.
Dr. ELLIS CHEEVER: Well, it's probably too cold up there|for that right
now.
As of last night,|there were five deaths and 32 cases.
Dr. ERIN MEARS:There's a cluster|in an elementary school.
Dr. ELLIS CHEEVER: That's the kind of thing|you have to be prepared for.
It's gonna be all over the news.
What's your single overriding|communications objective?
Dr. ERIN MEARS:We're isolating the sick and quarantining|those who we
believe were exposed.
Dr. ELLIS CHEEVER: Okay, good.”
 The quotation above shows how people manage the situation. They use discourse to

coordinate the society. In this condition, they have the authority to make policies. In Marry

Klages's book state that discourse can create relationship power and knowledge which

become the base of human thought and act. It explains that as a person who knows she can

create discourse and regulations. It also shows they have a good education. They get an

incredible education. They examine and make some questions about the cases. It means that

their knowledge becomes the tool to control the people. They use the media to spread the

information.

American is not easily influenced by others. They have a broad view. They are not easily

fooled. They have a strategy to show their strength. It can be seen in the following quotation

below:

“Dr. LEONORA :What's that?|- Your vaccine.

Dr. DENNIS :The one you took was a placebo.
Dr. LEONORA :What?
Dr. DENNIS :The Chinese insisted. There have been|many
abductions, not just here.
In Russia, Mexico, all over.
Government officials, scientists,|or Westerners with
great wealth.
Mostly perpetrated by organized crime|or revolutionary
groups...
...trying to extort medicines.
The Chinese don't negotiate|with kidnappers. It wasn't
up to us.
We've got a limited supply,|just like everyone else.
Leo... Leonora.”

The quotation above shows the way of American thinking. They are smart. They have certain

strategies and tactics. They can see the enemies. They also cannot be manipulated by others.

They use their brain not physical. Through the plot, when the Chinese have a plan to kidnap

as a guarantee to get the vaccine, their plan fails. It means American is superior. American
shows the power that they cannot be fooled by anyone. The quotation above also explains

that Chinese is a barbarous country. It draws Chinese as a country that likes to use violence

instead of their brain. Chinese is egoistic. They just think about themselves. Thus, American

proves that he is a substantial nation and the better one.

Intelligence makes people to have power. Intelligence is utilized to show existence

and authority. It can be used to get the benefit. It can be seen in the following quotation

below:

“ALAN:They trust me.|All 12 million unique visitors.

I'm a trusted man|stepping up to a microphone...
...in front of a very large crowd.
That's who I am. That's the brand.
I say the right thing,|nobody shows up for their shot.
Maybe they'd rather roll the dice|with forsythia.
I can make that happen.
I just wanna know|I'm in the best position possible when I do.”

The quotation above shows the power of a person who has knowledge and awareness. He is a

journalist. He is one of the representatives of American intelligence person. He can employ

the situation by his fakes theory. He creates fraud information to get benefits. He designs the

conspiracy between the virus and the government. Therefore, he can influence people's

mindset. He uses the media to succeed in his act. People like to consume the sensational thing

or phenomena. Alan takes advantage of that habit. It sign that Alan has enough knowledge.

He makes it as a real phenomenon. Thus, he can control the people and get much profit in

chaos situation.

America is known for its advanced technology. It is one of the aspects to affirm American's

power position. It can be seen in the following quotation below:

“Dr. ALLY HEXTAL: We're getting the same results as Sussman.

We've sequenced the virus,|determined its origin...
...and we've modeled the way|it enters the cells of the lung and the brain.
 The virus contains|both bat and pig sequences.
The dark green is pig,|and the light green is bat.
And here you can see|the crossover event.
Bat, bat, and pig, bat.
And here is a model of the virus|and how it attaches to its host.
The blue is virus, and the gold is human,|and the red is the viral
attachment protein...
...and the green is its receptor|in the human cells.
tors are found in the cells|of both the respiratory tract...
...and the central nervous system.
And the virus attaches to the cell|like a key slipping into a lock.
Somewhere in the world,|the wrong pig met up with the wrong bat.
- You ever seen anything like this before?|- No. And it's still changing.
It's figuring us out|faster than we're figuring it out.”

Through the character, the quotation above shows the technology used by the public health

official to identify the virus. They use sophisticated technology such as computer screens,

graphics, charts and other medical tools to support the identifying process. It means that

American knowledge and security develops rapidly. Therefore, they become the science

center of the world. They can affirm their position by showing their power. it also helps them

in vanquishing the virus and saving people from the global pandemic. This statement is

supporting by the quotation below:

“The Food and Drug|Administration is accelerating approval...

...of the MEV-1 vaccine...
...currently in production at five|secret locations in the U.S. And Europe...
...saying the first doses could be available|for human use within 90 days.
The WHO estimates|that it could take nearly a year...
...to manufacture and distribute|the necessary amount of the vaccine...
...to stop the spread of the virus...
...which so far has taken|over 26 million lives worldwide.”

C. The quotation above shows the achievement of Americans in finding the vaccine

through the technology. They prove that they can get out of trouble. They do not give

up even facing many obstacles. It reinforces their position in dominating the world. It

explains that the ideas that they used to the framework of human thought and act is a
 success. The ideas becomes the production that can save people life. Thus, it is the

point of American in showing their power.

D. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Contagion by Steven Soderbergh shows about the American power

through intelligence and sophisticated technology. American draws as a substantial and

superpower nation. They control the people through some ideas and strategies. They

dominate society and people mindset. They can create a theory to influence people thought.

However, They cannot be manipulated by others easily. They affirm their position as the

powerful by identifying and finding the vaccine. They use the media as the medium. Thus,

they lead the mechanism of the authoritative rule of the world. This analysis is supported by

Michel Foucault's theory—power/knowledge. It also focused on analyzing the dramatic

elements; character, plot (conflict), and setting.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Loman, Nick. 2015. Contagion: a Worthy Entrant in the Outbreak Film Genre.Biochemistry
on Screen. The UK. (Jul201): 3-6.

Guerin, Wilfred L. 2005. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature, 5th Edition. New
York: Oxford University Press.

Klages, Mary. 2006. Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed. London. Continuum
International Publishing Group.