SOCIAL CLASS OPPRESSION IN STEPHEN HILLENBURG’S SPONGEBOB SQUARE PANTS SERIES : A MARXISM STUDY

Abstract

This study discusses the social class oppression as reflected in the SpongeBob SquarePants Series using the theory of Marxism. The existence of class differences can lead to oppression between social classes. The focus of this research is the reasons, kinds, and impacts of the oppression carried out by one of the characters in the SpongeBob SquarePants Series, namely Mr. Krab against two of his employees, SpongeBob and Squidward. The result of this research is that the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is the reason Mr. Krab oppresses two of his employees. Mr. Krab is a bourgeois who likes to collect as much money as possible, he doesn't mind if he has to victimize his employees SpongeBob and Squidward who are proletariats to raise money. Mr Krab's form of oppression is, he demands that his employees continue to work non-stop. As the impacts of this oppression, two of his employees, SpongeBob and Squidward, experience tiredness and mental disorders.

Keywords : social class, oppression, Marxism, SpongeBob