Frank Gallagher. If' you haven't seen the show and are into complex series that have a dark sense of humor I suggest this one. The show delivers what the title states. Every character in this show is very shameless. Especially Frank. Frank is the father of seven children and hasn't raised a single one of them. While he lives with them partially in the first season Frank takes advantage of anybody that will listen to him, and that includes his family. This leaves the oldest daughter, Fione, to be in charge of running the frantic house. Surprisingly The Gallagher's are always there for Frank when he needs help the most. In one particular episode called "Frank Gallagher: Loving Husband, Devoted Father" shows an interesting aspect of Franks masculinity along with the relationship with his family. Frank is being hunted by bookies for a $6000 debt he owes. Throughout the episode he tries to swindle money every way he can. From trying to still a cup full of coins from a blind man all the way to robbing an old lady as she's leaving the ATM. The way of which he was unsuccessful with each robbery speaks to his masculine nature. We talked in class about dominant and subordinate masculinity, but Frank is in a different realm. He's dominant in the sense that he can manufacture a plan to get what he needs and he's subordinate in the sense that even if he fixes one problem in his life, ten more will occur. At the end of the day Frank is an addict. He'll do whatever it takes to live his ideal drunken lifestyle, and if anything threatens that he'll do whatever it takes to prevent it from affecting it. Joshua Alston writes " I’m interested in the idea of Frank always managing to find a new low. Even though Frank is a parental non-entity, the kids still have some degree of love for him, so he still wields the power to disappoint them, and I was interested in seeing how this latest transgression would redefine those relationships". The family comes together and saves Frank in the end by pretending he's dead, but sure enough he's back to his old habits by the end of the episode.We also find that Franks been using his youngest kids identities to max out credit cards in his name. Making him the worst father on television.
We talked in class the other day about how television shows like this demean the working class or poor, by demeaning them and making them look foolish, when in most cases that is just not true. I agree to a certain extent. But truly, there is a catch 22 to that kind of statement and that is that I know or have known people like this (to clear my name, I don't actually associate with them, just have seen them in passing or they are a family memember of some kind). But truly, I do know people like this, which is why I think a lot of people identify with this type of show. Our sense of humor as the years have gone by, has become more and more dark, and more sarcastic. Do I see this as a problem in the future. I certainly do. Even though we know people like this, doesn't mean that we are all like this. This type of behavior is detrimental to how the upper class view the lower class. This effects how the upper class views our complaints as either valid or invalid arguements. Not only does it effect how the upper class views the lower class, this also effects how the lower class sees themselves.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I suppose I can see myself as part of the problem, because to be honest I quite enjoy these types of shows. I hope to explain this to my child one day and hope that they learn this is an example of what not to be and that is why it is on television.
I hope, though, that these types of shows no longer effect how our opinions are viewed with the upper class. Because, right now, things need to change and it is difficult to change the ignorant.
It seems like Frank is framed as the antithesis to "white collar". He is a brilliant however extreme example of the unsuccessful poor population in America. As a character he displays all of the qualities that lead to failure. He lacks moral code, work ethic, education, and above all else, self control. While he is framed as being the antithesis to "white collar" he is also framed as having given up on the concept that through education and hard work you can elevate your class status. He is just a stagnant member of society with the worst collection of behaviors, and moral values. Since all of the attributes that Frank possess are negative, and he is also framed as someone who is, "not masculine", he is positioned as the antithesis not only to "white collar" but also masculinity itself.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this show in my life, but by reading your blog, I had a rough idea of this particular show. It seems like Frank is a typical American guy, who is struggling to support his family and himself. His struggles send us the message of his lack of work ethic and the problems he faces throughout the episodes. We as the audience can question his masculinity over many choices that he makes in order to get him self out of trouble. this show can give us a rough idea of what men would do when they have their life on the line, in particular when Frank has to pay back his depth to the bookies.
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