What is the marxist critique of cheaper by the dozen

⭐AI Overview 

"From a Marxist perspective, a critique of Cheaper by the Dozen (specifically the 1950 film adaptation of the novel) could focus on several key elements: 

• Emphasis on Efficiency and Productivity: The film portrays Frank Gilbreth, a pioneer in efficiency studies, applying these principles to his large family. While this is presented humorously, a Marxist critique could argue that this reflects a capitalist focus on maximizing output and minimizing 'waste' (time, resources) —even within a family context.
• The Family as a Unit of Consumption: The film depicts a middle-class family navigating the era of post-war consumerism and suburbanization. A Marxist analysis could point out how the family, as a unit, is positioned within the capitalist system to consume goods and services, thus reinforcing the economic cycle and benefiting the bourgeoisie.
• The Pursuit of the 'American Dream': The film might be interpreted as promoting the capitalist ideal of the 'American dream,' where owning a home, having a family, and achieving wealth are seen as life's ultimate goals. A Marxist perspective would likely criticize this emphasis on individual wealth and social status.
• False Consciousness: A Marxist critique might suggest that the film reinforces a 'false consciousness' within the audience, encouraging them to focus on the humorous aspects of family life and the pursuit of efficiency, rather than engaging with deeper societal issues of class inequality and exploitation.
• Contradiction between Human Values and Capitalist Drive: Although the movie shows the parents valuing family above all else, a Marxist lens might highlight the inherent tension between human well-being and the drive for profit inherent in a capitalist system. 

"It is worth noting that while the film celebrates Frank Gilbreth's focus on efficiency, it acknowledges his wife, Lillian's influence in ensuring a more humane application of these principles, focusing on worker well-being, suggesting a slight critique of the purely profit-driven approach of some capitalist models. 

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⭐AI Overview

"A Marxist critique of 'Cheaper by the Dozen' could focus on various aspects of the film/novel, particularly in the context of capitalist society and its inherent class structures:

"1. Emphasis on Efficiency and Productivity:

• The film centers on the Gilbreth family, with Frank Gilbreth being a pioneer in the field of efficiency and scientific management.
• A Marxist perspective might argue that this focus on efficiency, while seemingly applied to family life, reflects the capitalist imperative to maximize output and productivity, even within the private sphere.
• The Gilbreth family's home essentially becomes a 'real-world laboratory' for their efficiency experiments, blurring the lines between work and life. 

"2. Social Class and False Consciousness:

• The 1950s version of the film portrays a typical middle-class family during a time of economic growth and suburbanization, emphasizing traditional family values.
• A Marxist analysis could suggest that the film promotes a 'false consciousness' within the working class by depicting the aspirations of the middle class as the 'American Dream.'
• This dream, often tied to wealth and power, might distract individuals from recognizing and challenging the systemic oppression and exploitation inherent in a capitalist system. 

"3. Consumption and Materialism:

• The 1950s saw a rise in consumerism, and 'Cheaper by the Dozen' reflects this trend, showcasing a consumer-oriented society.
• A Marxist perspective would argue that capitalism relies on constant consumption, and the family unit plays a crucial role in perpetuating this through socialization and consumption patterns.
• The film's focus on the large family, while presented as a symbol of domesticity, could also be interpreted as a reflection of the economic need for increased consumption. 

"4. Subtle critique of the system:

• While the film predominantly showcases a positive portrayal of family and work within the capitalist structure, some reviews of the 2022 version suggest a more nuanced critique of the system.
• The 2022 film's themes of co-parenting after divorce and prioritizing family over monetary success can be seen as subtle challenges to the societal pressures of chasing financial success.
• This updated version could be interpreted as a critique of how the system's 'gross inequities and injustices' impact family life and values. 

"In summary, a Marxist critique of 'Cheaper by the Dozen' would examine how the film, particularly the earlier versions, reflects and potentially reinforces the values and structures of a capitalist society, with its focus on efficiency, class distinctions, and consumption, while recognizing that later adaptations might offer more subtle critiques of the system. 

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1. [One assumes that refreshment enables ai_overview to source responses to the search term more thoroughly then summarize again with those new sources onboard…]
2. [Is there continuity behind the scenes between final response and earlier response?]
3. [In first response, ai_overview devotes space to Lillian's influence in ensuring a more humane application of these principles while in refreshed response there is no mention of empathy per se —or Lillian…]
4. [Refreshed response mentions efficiency five times…]