– Power And Lifestyle Essay, Research Paper
?Power can affect people in many different ways and this can have a direct impact on their lifestyle. How is this true in both Seachange and Scales of Justice??The issue of power and its effect on lifestyle is clearly demonstrated in both Scales of Justice and in Seachange through a variety of characters. In Scales of Justice, power and the abuse of it is shown mainly through corruption within the police force and in Seachange it is shown mostly through Laura and Bob Jelly. Both television programs show us that along with power there can be both negative and positive effects on people?s lifestyles.
In Scales of Justice it is shown that there is a certain hierarchy and those in higher positions often dominate and control those in positions that are below them. A classic example of this is Sergeant O?Rourke and Probationary Constable Webber. O?Rourke is basically a bully in his position. Whilst attending a robbery with Webber, O?Rourke steals a fur coat. Webber catches him but says nothing at the time. Later on this coat appears in Webber?s locker. When Webber approaches O?Rourke about it, he uses bully tactics to threaten Webber. Webber reports this to someone in a higher position. O?Rourke misuses his power and talks to friends in higher positions and it is Webber who is thrown out of the force.
Another issue of power and lifestyle demonstrated in Scales of Justice is that those in power are often secluded from the rest of society. An example of this happening is when Webber is not even on duty but on his way to work wearing his police uniform. As soon as he steps onto the bus, everybody suddenly becomes silent and look away as if he isn?t even human. They all feel a certain threat by him simply because he holds some power over them.
There are many different examples of the misuse of power in Scales of Justice. The misuse and abuse of power can in some cases actually mean a better lifestyle. At one stage of the show, Webber tells Borland he is thinking of buying a new car. In reply, Borland tells Webber not to forget to wear his ?discount suit.? Webber has no idea what Borland is talking about. Borland explains that the discount suit is actually his police uniform. Later on in the show we see Webber pull up in a brand new sports car. Webber has used his position of power to get a discount on a car. This has demonstrated that Webber?s misuse of power has actually resulted in him being able to have a more lavish lifestyle. Another major misuse and abuse of power is when Borland pulled over a relatively attractive girl in a car. He can tell that the girl may be over the legal limit and judging from her car, he can tell that she most likely has little money. Borland takes sex as a bribe to let her off. However it wasn?t the girl who instigated the bribe, it was Borland.
In Seachange it is shown that power and the quest for power often has an adverse affect on lifestyle. Laura is a very ambitious woman who works for a powerful corporate law firm. Because Laura is so ambitious, it leaves little time for her friends and family. She says herself that she leaves for work before her children are awake and gets home from work after they are in bed. It is lucky for her and her family that she realises how much time her work is taking up and opts for a less stressful life as the magistrate of a small coastal town, Pearl Bay. This has a positive impact on her lifestyle as now she has time for family and friends and actually interacts with ordinary, everyday people even though she has lost a lot of her power.
The issue of power and corruption is shown to us in Seachange as well as in Scales of Justice. In Seachange it is demonstrated through a stereotypical character, Bob Jelly. Bob Jelly is the typical clich?d dodgy businessman and politician. Bob Jelly is stereotypical because of a few things. His outfits, which often compromise of bright red sports jackets with a bright yellow bow tie give the perfect image of a dodgy business man. Jelly is the president of the local council and head of a property development company. He uses what little power he has to benefit for his own personal gain. He assigns council workmen to work outside the local pub with their jackhammers even though no work has to be done. It is simply because Jelly wants to create a development where the pub is situated. He is trying to drive the business broke so that he can take it over and get the land developed. Jelly is also blackmailing the pub owner which is another example of is corrupt ways. He has found out that the pub owner has had an affair with a respected local and blackmails her for his own personal gain. Another more minor example of the misuse of power is Laura?s husband Jack who is currently in prison for fraud after illegally investing government funds. However, Jack uses the excuse that the pressure from his wife for success has driven him to such measures. Both of these people have used power to try and create a more lavish lifestyle for themselves and their families. For Bob Jelly it has worked, but for Jack it has had the opposite effect.
Overall Scales of Justice and Seachange show us various ways in which power can affect a person?s lifestyle. There can be both negative effects as well as positive effects when a person is put in a position of power. Whilst some people thrive on power, others would prefer a simpler, less complicated lifestyle.