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Diah Alifionna Arianingtyas - 20240116121844 - Engl6151024 - LB61 - Fin
Diah Alifionna Arianingtyas - 20240116121844 - Engl6151024 - LB61 - Fin
Abstract
I. Introduction
Literature is considered as a form of art for many reasons. One of those reasons is that
literature, like other artforms, provides insights on an individual author or a large group of
people about their culture, morals, values, and many more. One of the things that literature
gives insight other than the one mentioned previously, is that literature gives us commentary
on many aspects of humanity and society. The commentary that is provided by the authors
can range from praise, discourse, messages, ideas, and criticism as a reflection of human lives
and society itself.
As time went on, new forms of literature emerged. From prose and poems to films and
graphic novels, all sorts of artistic innovations has been created and will be created as long
humanity and society continues to evolve. One such piece of literature that will be discussed
in this paper is film. Film as literature does not only contain stories of fiction and
occasionally, non-fiction. It also contains audio and visuals to enhance the experience of this
artform. A particular film that will be discussed in this essay is Oppenheimer (2023) directed
by Christopher Nolan.
The author’s reasoning for choosing this topic is because the author believes this movie
contains the ideologies of Anti-militarism and Anti-Capitalism. The Author also believes this
movie portrays the connection between the ideologies. Thus, making it significant aspect to
explore in Oppenheimer (2023). The film is adapted from the biography "American
Prometheus," anchoring itself in the historical backdrop of J. Robert Oppenheimer's life.
Oppenheimer played a crucial role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War
II and later became intricately involved in the complexities of the Cold War era. The
selection of this subject matter aligns with the film's historical framework, particularly
focusing on Oppenheimer's pivotal role in the creation of the atomic bomb. The research
explores the film's portrayal of anti-military and anti-capitalism ideologies, providing a
nuanced examination of how the movie navigates the ethical and ideological dimensions
inherent in the historical narrative it aims to portray.
The author writes this essay with three aims in mind. First, Examine the Connection
Between Anti-Military and Anti-Capitalism Ideologies and How its portrayed in
Oppenheimer (2023). Second, evaluate the subtlety or explicitness of the film's depiction of
anti-military and anti-capitalism ideologies. And analyze the methods employed by the
filmmakers to convey these ideologies, whether through symbolism, dialogue. And third, to
Investigate the underlying message that the film intends to communicate through its portrayal
of anti-military and anti-capitalism ideologies. And identify any nuances or specific
perspectives that the film emphasizes in relation to these ideologies. For the author to reach
this aim, they have created a research question that will be the center of this essay, these
questions are: firstly, how does the film portray the connection between the ideology of Anti-
military and Anti capitalism. Secondly, how subtle is the portrayal of
the Anti-military and Anti capitalism ideology in the film. Lastly, what message is the film
tries to convey with its portrayal of Anti-military and Anti-Capitalism ideology.
This essay centers around the film "Oppenheimer" (2023), directed by Christopher Nolan,
and the source material it drew from, namely the biography "American Prometheus: The
Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer" by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. Its
purpose is to elucidate the parallels between Oppenheimer the scientist and Oppenheimer the
movie. Additionally, another foundational text for this paper is "Anti-capitalism: The
Beginner’s Guide" by Simon Torney, serving to expound upon the theoretical framework of
the anti-capitalism ideology.
In addition to these books, a relevant journal article in this essay is "Capitalism and the
‘military-industrial complex’: The Obstacles to ‘Conversion’" by Michael Reich and David
Finkelhor. This source contributes valuable insights into the challenges associated with the
intersection of capitalism and the military-industrial complex. Another supporting source is
"Oppenheimer’s Dilemma: A Marxian Examination of Power Dynamics and Ethical
Justifications in Nolan’s Oppenheimer" by Dr. S. Z. Abbas, providing alternative
perspectives for the analysis of Oppenheimer (2023).
The connection between anti-militarism and anti-capitalism happens because capitalism and
the military are also connected. While the connection between these things are more nuanced
than it seemed. However, due to the historical context where the events of both the real life
and the movie versions of Oppenheimer transpired, which is in the US, the connection
between capitalism and the military are a factual thing. During WWII, all the top US
corporations that focused on the military sector gained a massive increase. The increase is so
influential that US corporations that rely on the civilian market are racing for a place in the
military market during and after the cold war and even in current times (Reich & Finkelhor,
1970, P6, ). Due to this, The Connection between anti-militarism and anti-capitalism are
naturally connected. The author theorized that since the connection exists in real life, the
portrayal of this connection must exist in the movie in some kind of form.
Oppenheimer successfully earns his PhD and encounters fellow scientist Isidor Isaac
Rabi. Later, he meets theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg in Switzerland. With
the aim of advancing quantum physics research in the United States, Oppenheimer
takes up teaching roles at the University of California, Berkeley, and the California
Institute of Technology. He ties the knot with Katherine Puening, a biologist and
former communist, and engages in an intermittent relationship with Jean Tatlock, a
troubled communist who tragically dies in a suicide.
He forms a scientific team at the Los Alamos Laboratory, including Rabi, Hans
Bethe, and Edward Teller, and collaborates with Enrico Fermi, Leo Szilard, and
David L. Hill at the University of Chicago. Teller's calculations suggest that an atomic
detonation could lead to a catastrophic chain reaction, potentially igniting the
atmosphere and causing global destruction. After consulting with Albert Einstein,
Oppenheimer deems the risk acceptable. Teller, disappointed by the rejection of his
hydrogen bomb proposal, contemplates leaving the project, but Oppenheimer
convinces him to stay.
Following Adolf Hitler's death in 1945, some of the Project’s scientists question the
bomb's necessity through the Szilárd petition. Oppenheimer believes it could bring
about the conclusion of the ongoing Pacific War and save lives. The successful
Trinity test prompts President Harry S. Truman to order the atomic bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender. Despite receiving public
acclaim, Oppenheimer is haunted by the extensive destruction and loss of life. In a
meeting with Truman, Oppenheimer expresses his personal guilt, and Truman
criticizes him, assuming responsibility for the decision to use the bomb. Oppenheimer
advocates for restricting further nuclear weapons development, but Truman dismisses
his suggestion.
The data for this essay is collected by watching the movie and reading the transcripts.
Then, said data is going to be analyzed and internalized by the author. By analyzing and
internalizing the data, the author can decide to interpret the story through the view of
Anti-military and Anti-Capitalism. And compile the necessary contents that contains any
portrayal of the connection between Anti-Military and Anti-Capitalism. Whether it’s
symbolism, imagery, etc.
V. Results
The results of analyzing the movie Oppenheimer (2023) from the author is that all three
research questions that was stated earlier were able to be answered. The following
sections will analyze these questions and answer them in depth
“ Oppenheimer” (2023) is a biopic movie about the creator of the atom bomb, Robert. J.
Oppenheimer. The movie is primary told through the point of view of Oppenheimer, with
some characters such as Lewis Strauss. However, Oppenheimer’s point of view contains
many portrayals of the connection between anti-militarism and anti-capitalism.
Throughout the movie, in Oppenheimer’s point of view there are many hardships the
physicist came to face from not only the guilt of developing the bomb as Hiroshima and
Nagasaki suffers from one of the largest humanitarian crises in WWII but also from the
US Government. The hardship that he came to face to face is that the Government
exploited his skill, knowledge, and optimism to end the war. And after the events of the
Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombing his guilt and personal ethics caused him to quit the
development of the Hydrogen bomb project is faced with such adversity from the
government that it is impossible for him to not surrender and accept the loss. Abbas
(2023) notes that, Nolan’s portrayal of Oppenheimer in the movie is akin to a tragic hero
becoming victim to the the political power-play and the capitalist structure of the US
Government and it’s military. This portrayal of Oppenheimer as a victim of being
wronged by capitalist and war hungry US government is a strong portrayal of anti-
capitalism and anti-militarism and how those two ideologies are connected in this movie.
b. The Subtle Portrayal of the connection between anti-capitalism and anti-
militarism in Oppenheimer (2023)
The movie "Oppenheimer" (2023) conveys its messages, ideas, and critiques of
capitalism and the U.S. military not through explicit portrayal but rather implicitly
throughout the film. Although the movies never convey these messages in explicit
detail, The movie’s implicit messaging is can be best described as loud and clear.
From the fire and explosives imagery to the booming sound playing in intervals
through out the film, and finally through the portrayal of characters on-screen. In
other words, the film’s messaging was never subtle.
As opposed to the film’s implicit critique of capitalism, The US government, and its
depiction of anti-militarism that was never subtle, Oppenheimer’s anti-capitalism
portrayal can be considered as the opposite. This is due to the fact for some audiences
that aren’t familiar with US history or politics, thus causing these messages to fly over
some audience’s heads. The portrayal of anti-capitalism can be considered subjective
due to the requirement of the audience knowing about the “The capitalist US military
complex.”.
This piece of real-life historical context is what connects other aspects from the
movie to create a subtle portrayal of anti-capitalism. These combined with one of the
scenes where Oppenheimer resigns from the hydrogen bomb project, and then he got
accused and interrogated by the government of being a mole. The government did this
because if the physicist had resigned they will lose investors putting money on the
project as they are on a nuclear weapons race against the soviets.
At its core, Oppenheimer (2023) is an anti-war movie. The ending of the movie
conveys the message of the whole movie on how the nuclear arms race will be the
bane of humanity as the imagery of missiles flying to the sky and the earth is covered
in flames. The message is a rather pessimistic, nihilist outlook on the past, current,
and future on how we, especially Governments with access to nuclear power, will
misuse it at the expense of many for the sake of few.
However, through the lens of anti-capitalism and anti-militarism, the message of the
movie gains another layer. With the additional real-life context, viewing the movie
through these lenses, we gain another insight on the message of the movie. The movie
can be interpreted as a criticism to the US and the industrial military complex. The
criticism is that the model of capitalism with the US military hand in hand is a
harmful model that harms the majority. In short, the movie’s message can be
summarized as ‘The current American model of military being propped up by
capitalism is a dangerous model that can harm many, if these trend continues it will
become humanity’s bane of existence.’
VI. Conclusion
Secondly, the subtle yet explicit portrayal of the connection between anti-capitalism
and anti-militarism is evident throughout the film. While anti-militarism is depicted
prominently through visuals, sounds, and character portrayals, anti-capitalism requires
a nuanced understanding of historical context. The symbiotic relationship between
capitalism and the military, exemplified by companies profiting from wars and
conflicts, adds depth to the film's implicit critique of the capitalist U.S. military
complex.
Part A. Write the complete outline for your project by completing the following
tablea
d. Implication -
3. Introduction (15 a. Reasons for choosing The reason why the writer chose this
Points) the topic topic is because anti-military and anti-
capitalism ideologies becomes a
significant aspect to explore in
Oppenheimer (2023). The Biography
the moie adapted it from, American
Prometheus, provides a historical
context rooted in the life of J. Robert
Oppenheimer, who played a pivotal
role in the development of the atomic
bomb during World War II and
subsequently found himself entangled
in the complexities of the Cold War
era.
Overall, the choice of this topic aligns
with the film's historical context and
the complexities surrounding
Oppenheimer's involvement in the
creation of the atomic bomb. By
delving into the movie’s portrayal of
anti-military and anti-capitalism
ideologies, the research can offer a
nuanced understanding of how the
film navigates ethical and ideological
dimensions within the historical
narrative it seeks to depict
c. Data collection :