Matewan: A 20th-century Form of Feudalism :: Economy Capitalism Freedom Essays

Matewan A 20th-century Form of FeudalismMatewan, in which the action takes induct in the 1920s in West Virginia, gives a clear and possible picture of the economical situation of the given place and time. This has been a aspiration and an idea which the director of the film, John Sales, has paid a particular assistance to. The film elucidates a 20th-century conflict between two economical systems feudal system and capitalism, with feudalism clearly dominating the economical status of the pocketable townsfolk of Matewan, in spite of some outer traces (such as wages beingness paid) that imply capitalism.The main feature of capitalism is the free labor trade and freedom is the key concept freedom in choosing an employer freedom in deciding how and where to work in order to make the most reasonable living. In that sense it is indisputable that capitalism is not the economical process victorious place in Matewan. It is in truth difficult, if not impossible, to live in this small town and not to work for the Stone Mountain Coal Comp any(prenominal). It holds monopoly all over most of the town, it owns and controls nearly everything stores, buildings and so on. The miners are being underpaid and overcharged at the equal time. Wages make gone down again, workers have to pay monopoly rents besides, they are getting paid not in dollars but in confederacy scrips that can be used at party stores only. Therefore, the contract the workers have signed with the company, in stead of giving them freedom and rights, puts restrictions on them and their way of life they do not have the freedom to join in a union they are not free to choose their employer, either. The functional and the living conditions are beyond any criticism and are very far from what is needed in order to lead a expression life. However, this seems to be the only way for people there to make any living at all. The alternative is fleeing away in the mountains with no infrastructure and no mon ey whatsoever, which is really not acceptable and can scarce even be considered as an alternative therefore. In that sense, the geographical setting (i.e. the isolation of this small town) indirectly encourages the development of feudal relations in Matewan. The company leaves its workers with no choice and no freedom - a defining characteristic of feudalism, and that reinforces the feudal nature of the economical relations in Matewan.