Media Analysis: Jacob’s Cross

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Introduction

This paper will analyze a Television program known as Jacob’s Cross. Jacob’s Cross is a television drama series that is produced in South African by M-Net Original Productions (Klaus, 2004). The program is basically about influential business families that have vast interests in the oil industry. The families are battling to control Africa’s wealthy oil resources. The program mainly portrays affluent lifestyles that are characteristic of the wealthy businessmen in South African society.

Overall, the program educates the viewer on how morality issues prop up when powerful families are fighting over the control of strategic resources. In the episode analyzed, there is a social justice theme that revolves around solidarity when some family members get themselves into trouble (Klaus, 2004).

Scenes that Apply to the Social theme

In the Jacob’s Cross episode that was watched the following scenes that apply to the social justice theme were observed: This episode begins in the morning by Jacob (the main act) calling his attorney and some other close associates about some important events of the day. The next scene shows Jacob’s mum, Thembi Makhubu, in custody, and it seems like she is being prepared to attend a hearing.

While Jacob is still at home, a woman who seems to be his wife or girlfriend walks into the house and hugs and kisses him in a comforting way. The woman proceeds to pick a few things here and there while Jacob moves close to the window and stares blankly. He seems to be in deep thought. Some scenes that are not important to the social justice theme are shown before Jacob’s mother is led into a court to answer charges. Jacob is shown in the sitting area with several people who mainly are family members and close friends.

Witnesses are shown taking their chances at the witness stand as the family attorney cross-examines them. At the end of the court session, Jacob goes to hug his mother and watches is she is led away into a waiting car by security officers. Jacob is pated lightly on the back by a person who seems to be his friend. He then walks slowly to a waiting car while holding his wife’s hand, and they have driven away.

Observed body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture instances, modes of dress, nonverbal cues, symbols and other nonverbal forms of communication

A variety of head and facial patterns were observed in the analyzed episode of Jacob’s Cross. Different types of glancing behaviors, some glances were short, others prolonged, and some seemed to be directed towards particular subjects. Jacob’s wife was seen flipping her hair backward while tilting her hair upwards. This happened more than once. Head nodding was also a common facial and head expression seen in the program (Klaus, 2004).

The episode had so many instances of gestures. For instance, when Jacob and his associates walked into the court, a security officer stretched his hand to direct them on where to sit. Some characters were also seen to move their hands in the course of their talking. There were instances when hands were held, for example, between Jacob and his wife, and during greetings.

Several posture patterns were also seen. Some of the noted ones include leaning, body contacts mainly through shoulder hugging.

Interpretation of the nonverbal communication and symbolism

The different nonverbal forms of communication that have been observed in the watched episode of Jacob’s Cross have different meanings depending on the situation and the people involved. For instance, when Jacob hugs his mother, he expresses love and by extension assures her that he’s with her during these trying times. Jacob hugs and kisses, and holds his wife’s hand in the course of the program.

This can be used to indicate to the viewer how the two are close to each other. Jacob’s wife flips her hair to indicate her restlessness or try to attract attention. The security guard gestures to Jacob to go and sit at a certain location in the court. The gesture symbolizes that quite an environment of the court where talking is limited.

Significance of the interpretations of the sociological understanding of social theme in Jacob’s cross

The social justice theme that plays throughout the episode gives the viewer an insight into the following. The characters give the viewers an example of how they should stand by their family members and friends during trying moments. It goes further to give the viewer a profound meaning of solidarity and offers the reasons why solidarity is important. The program helps the viewer to take note of and respect other people’s rights.

Generalization of the meanings to the society as a whole

The meanings of the different symbolism that is observed in Jacob’s cross can be applied in the day to day life. The social justice theme in the program has deeper moral teaching that can provide a good example of how people should exist in society, especially regarding justice and solidarity with one another.

Conclusion

This paper sought to analyze the social theme in an episode of Jacob’s cross and identify the different nonverbal forms of communication and their symbolism. It has been established the program revolves around a social justice theme that reflects the daily societal life. Different nonverbal forms of communication, such as gestures, facial and head patterns, and postures, were also observed. The nonverbal communications seemed to mainly express love and solidarity among the characters of the analyzed program.

Reference

Klaus, K. (2004). Content Analysis: an introduction to its Methodology. CA: Sage books

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