The first example that comes to mind when discussing the monstrous nature that money and power brings about is none other than The Purge. While this movie is not very well put together (in my humble opinion), it does illustrate a conceivable desire to do evil that exists in all people. On this one day, all crime is considered fair ball and people can do as they please. This ability is not exclusive to the rich and powerful but is extended to all races, classes, and ages. The important thing that I note is the huge upper hand that the wealthy possess. If the rich and powerful are willing to participate in the Purge, they have the means to gather up equipment, resources, and willing participants to join them in their doings. Should they decide to hunker down for the night, they have the financial means to put up safeguards to protect themselves from harm. Clearly this gives an immediate and unfortunate advantage to the privileged members of society.
In addition, the whole movie centers around an affluent group of youths, a wealthy family, and one unfortunate homeless man who is the target of the evenings Purge. Throughout the movie there are various ways for humans to become monsters. The group of youths are on a war path to kill this homeless man for being an unworthy member of society. The family who unwillingly comes in the way of this hunt actually resorts to hunting the homeless man themselves in order to protect themselves. Unfortunately, the only one through the whole movie who seems like they have neither say, nor interest in the engagement is the poor vagabond. I see this as an metaphor for how the rich and powerful have the world in their pockets and play whichever games they desire, even those that make them monstrous.
This is a perfect example for this discussion. Something interesting to question is who had a larger role in supporting the founding of such a “holiday” of homicidal freedom. Could it be the common people that are fed up with their problems and want to take revenge on the people that have ruined their lives? Or is it the rich and powerful that have grown bored and are seeking a new source of entertainment? There is a scene in the second movie where the rich pay big money to those who bring them “game” for their hunting matches. The audience composed entirely of the extremely wealthy, then take turns hunting down people in an arena. The rich and powerful in this example use their money to take full advantage of the opportunity to do something that is normally illegal in complete safety. There is an on-going question about who are “The New Founding Fathers”? These are the people that are credited in the movies with saving America by founding the Purge after an economic collapse. My guess is that these Fathers are likely very wealthy individuals that had gained influence in bailing out the government, and thus have power over the country. The Purge can be seen as extreme population control, targeted towards the unfortunate poor that are not able to find shelter. It is very apparent that there are two types of people that truly enjoy the Purge: the psychotic and the filthy rich. Who’s to say they aren’t one in the same?
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