Popular Culture

Question 1

Define

Popular Culture

Answer 1

Culture generally associated with “the massess”, which has an association with commercial products, widespread access to consumers, a historical growth from local to national to global acceptance, and is consistently changing and evolving.

Question 2

Define

High Culture

Answer 2

High culture is largely characterised by its exclusivity, being granted value by the difficulty of ‘appreciating’ it properly. This leads to its association with wealth and social status, as well as with high class individuals.

Question 3

Define

Folk Culture

Answer 3

The products and practices of relatively homogeneous and isolated small-scale social groups living in rural locations - it is often associated with tradition, historical continuity, sense of place, and belonging

Question 4

What are commercial products?

Answer 4

Commercial products are simply products which can generate profits. Examples commonly associated with popular cultures include merchandise, clothing, toys, physical media like records and CDs, and themed items like makeup palettes. Sometimes, a popular culture itself can act somewhat as a commodity, in cases like films where one has to pay to access them at all.

Question 5

Why are popular cultures associated with commercial products?

Answer 5

Popular cultures tend to be associated with commercial products because they are commercial in nature themselves, and these products also serve to spread the pop culture.

Question 6

How do commercial products assist the growth of a popular culture?

Answer 6

Commercial products can assist the growth of a popular culture by promoting it, funding its growth, and allowing individuals to shape their identity around it. By buying merchandise from a favourite band, for instance, an individual simultaneously helps that band’s members support themselves, advertises it to those around them, and self-identifies as a fan of the group.

Question 7

How does a popular culture move from a local to a national to a global level?

Answer 7

A popular culture moves from a local to global level gradually, and is often changed by the process. In many cases, this involves its characteristics becoming more generalised and detached from any localised elements. In the case of a franchise like Star Wars, on the other hand, the growth is usually facilitated by it having very universal elements from early on, and spread happens rapidly through word of mouth as popularity snowballs

Question 8

What are the factors that impact access to popular culture?

Answer 8

Age, Class, Location, Race, Gender, Sexuality

Question 9

To what extent can institutions influence popular cultures?

Answer 9

Institutions are able to influence popular culture through their institutional power to a fairly significant extent. As they can control, to some degree, what popular cultures their citizens engage with, they are able to shape popular cultures both directly and indirectly.

Question 10

Why do popular cultures need to continue changing and evolving?

Answer 10

Popular cultures need to continually change and evolve in order to remain relevant and keep their widespread appeal. Therefore, they need to constantly and intentionally update themselves to fit with the popular consciousness, as well as with other contemporary elements of popular culture.

Question 11

Describe the factors contributing to the wide acceptance of Star among diverse cultural groups.

Answer 11

Factors include universal appeal of the narrative, lack of overt controversial or political elements, family-friendly nature, and adherence to Joseph Campbell’s monomyth.

Question 12

How did Star Wars expand its audience from local to global levels?

Answer 12

Through translations, localizations, and a recognizable, predictable format that appealed to diverse cultural groups.

Question 13

How do parents contribute to the acceptance of Star Wars among younger generations?

Answer 13

By introducing the franchise to their children, taking them to see new releases, and passing on nostalgic connotations associated with the series. The films are designed to be enjoyed by children
and teenagers, with limited graphic violence and disturbing themes.

Question 14

Describe some reasons why a group might
reject Star Wars.

Answer 14

Reasons include finding the story tedious, disagreeing ideologically with perceived messages, having religious issues with the conept of ‘the force’, or simply not enjoying the series.

Question 15

Why do some long-time fans of Star Wars lose interest in the series over time?

Answer 15

They may begin to ‘see the cracks’ in the storytelling, disagree with specific production choices, or consider newer installments as ‘non-canon’ and refuse to engage with them.

Question 16

Do political reasons play a significant role in the rejection of Star Wars by certain groups?

Answer 16

Political reasons often lead to large
groups rejecting a popular culture, as political issues can divide people into distinct ‘camps’. However, the franchise generally avoids controversial themes and sticks to acceptable political and moral statements, making significant issues rarer.

Question 17

Define the shift in perceptions of Star Wars
over time.

Answer 17

Star Wars has transitioned from being seen as a niche, ‘nerdy’ interest to becoming more
mainstream, with references to the series being common in day-to-day conversations. Newer Star Wars films have faced criticism for their level of polish, with some fans feeling disconnected due to a perceived shift away from the original series’ charm. Accusations of ‘nostalgia baiting’ to compensate for weaker storytelling have been common. At the same tie, the original series has been romanticised by nostalgie.

Question 18

Describe the impact of Disney’s acquisition of the Star Wars franchise.

Answer 18

Disney’s ownership has led to a focus on catering to oberserved fan preferences in recent releases,
with the introduction of commercial characters like ‘baby Yoda’ influencing how the public views Star Wars.

Question 19

How has nostalgia contributed to the increased value of Star Wars over time?

Answer 19

Nostalgia has played a significant role in the growing value of Star Wars as each generation that grew up with the franchise grows up and shares it with their own family, leading to a larger market for related commercial products.

Question 20

Define the impact of nostalgia on media and
popular culture.

Answer 20

Nostalgia in media and popular culture is a cyclical phenomenon where each generation looks back on the media of their childhood with fondness, leading to a rise in nostalgic content.

Question 21

Describe the impact of Star Wars-themed
products

Answer 21

The use of Star Wars symbology in
advertising, tie-in products, and other media has become more common as the franchise has grown in significance in popular culture, appealing to nostalgic feelings.
Star Wars-themed products contribute significantly to the profit of the franchise owners by catering to a large audience and allowing the sale of rights for their use.

Question 22

Define the concept of constructing gender in
media

Answer 22

Constructing gender in media involves presenting ideas of masculinity and femininity in line with societal norms, such as portraying a princess as beautiful and passive, saved by a courageous prince, or a girl who fights as unlike ‘most girls’.

Question 23

Define the concept of deconstructing gender in
media

Answer 23

Deconstructing gender in media involves challenging present norms of masculinity and femininity, often by subverting expectations or presenting non-stereotypical characters.

Question 24

Explain the relationship between construction and deconstruction of gender in media.

Answer 24

Media can simultaneously construct and deconstruct gender norms to varying degrees, sometimes even within the same characters or representations. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, for instance, features capable and independent female characters, but they are often still sexualized and treated differently due to their gender. Deconstrucion often happens in response to observed construction in contemporary media, and what one person considers deconstruction may also seem like construction to another.

Question 25

Describe how Star Wars reinforces traditional gender roles in its narrative.

Answer 25

Star Wars reinforces traditional gender roles by often portraying male characters as tough, emotionally reserved, and independent, while female characters are often infantilized, sexualized, and defined by their relationships with male characters. Women who engage in combat are frequently sexualized or seen as unusual, and women expressing anger may be labeled as ‘feisty’ or ‘sassy’. This rigidity has been lessening over time.

Question 26

Describe how the ‘Hero’s Journey’ format influences the portrayal of women in Star Wars.

Answer 26

Women in the ‘Hero’s Journey’ format are often limited by the defined feminine mythic roles, in stages like ‘woman as temptress’ and ‘damsel’, but recent releases
have shown characters like Rey with more agency and the ability to take on the role of the hero themselves.

Question 27

Explain the connection between Star Wars and real-world contemporary issues.

Answer 27

Star Wars has often connected to real-world issues, with the Rebel Alliance resembling the Viet Cong and the Galactic Empire serving as an allegory for America. The prequel trilogy comments on ineffective government and warmongering politicians, reflecting the political climate of America in its time.

Question 28

How have the moral messages in Star Wars
been perceived by audiences?

Answer 28

The moral messages in Star Wars are seen as relevant and positive, encouraging values like ‘fight for what you believe in’ and ‘believe in the best in others’. However, Star Wars has faced criticism for reinforcing stereotypes and biases, especially regarding women, disabled people, queer people, and people of color.

Question 29

Describe the influence of Star Wars on people’s perception of the future

Answer 29

Star Wars has influenced how people envision the future through its speculative technologies, inspiring real-world technological advancements and a desire for things lie holographic technology, often pictures exactly as it appears in the series.

Question 30

What is the significance of the Star Wars fan community in its social impacts?

Answer 30

The Star Wars fan community, with its online presence and widespread influence, has supported charitable initiatives like ‘Force for Change’ which raised millions for UNICEF and impacted lives positively.

Question 31

How has Star Wars influenced cultural values?

Answer 31

Star Wars has inspired girls and women, with characters like Leia Organa, to challenge sexism and aspire to more than traditional gender roles, potentially shaping societal values. However, negative representations of marginalized groups in Star Wars may have similar negative impacts