FREE ESSAY ON SWEPT AWAY

SWEPT AWAY

Swept Away
The division of people, due to social class and political belief, is clearly a main theme
in Lina Wertmuller's film Swept Away. The film portrayed class and gender conflict
brutally, honestly, and graphically, but not without validity. The fact that a woman
directed it just adds another level of realism as well as a different perspective. 
The division between Raphaella, the northern capitalist for whom the system has paid off,
and Gennarino, the dedicated, southern Communist, is apparent from the beginning. Though
the film is centered on these two individuals, it's emphasis lies in what these
individuals represent. Simply put, Rafaella represents the upper class; rich, educated,
and powerful within her society. Gennarino is a representation of the working class;
poor, uneducated, powerless in a society ruled by wealth. The shift in the balance of
power is where these representations come into play. 
Though the characters are symbols of social and political stereotypes, it is the
situations in the film that really illustrate the film's depiction of their division.
Early in the film we are introduced to the society in which Raphaella and Gennarino live.
A society in which, because of wealth and education, Raphaella wields more power than her
counterpart. She is snobbish, inconsiderate, bossy, and a great deal more empowered than
an average working class woman is. In turn, Gennarino is constantly ordered around,
belittled and criticized, enforcing his disgust for his counter culture.
The turn of events caused by the shipwreck finally reverses these roles. Gennarino gains
power, not through wealth but survival skills. This forces Raphaella to give up her pride
in order to stay alive. Much like the poor, Raphaella has to submit in order to survive.
Gennarino sees this as an opportunity to take revenge on the upper class that has been
controlling his life up to this point and he takes full advantage. In the beginning he
withholds food and shelter until she concedes defeat, but with the realization of
absolute power he decides to keep taking it further. In retribution for the abuse he has
suffered he punishes Raphaella for the evil deeds of the upper class. He orders her
around and belittles her just as she did when the tables were turned, but he can only
abuse her verbally for so long. His lack of education and upbringing leave him with few
options, first and foremost violence but also a level of emotional abuse. The physical
abuse forced Raphaella into submission and broke her spirit. The emotional abuse resulted
in Raphaella's falling in love with Gennarino, perhaps due to force or perhaps due to her
need for a dominant partner. 
This relationship continued mutually on the island for some time, even possible rescues
were avoided. In that basic, fantasy-like setting, surrounded by nature and removed from
capitalism and labels, they coexisted peacefully. They lived together as man and wife far
away from the society that kept them at separate levels until Gennarino decides to put
their love to the test; to return to their old society. It is back in their former world
that we find out who truly fell in love, not Raphaella but Gennarino. She reverted back
to her old ways and values upon her return to her old life; maybe a woman like her could
never really change. In her society she is in love with power, with wealth—survival
in it's own right. 
By removing the individual from it's representation the film takes on a new and different
light. It portrays a class struggle, a battle for power and respect, and a clash between
old traditions and the ways of a changing world. For me, the last scene captured the
point of the film perfectly. As Gennarino's wife walks ahead of him, angry with him for
having an affair, he obediently follows and carries her suitcase. This represents his
return to his society as well as his return to his role in it. This time, however, the
tables have turned, Gennarino's wife assumes the power now and Gennarino is the one in
submission.