Social Theme Paper - Roseanne

Facial expression and body language show a great deal about people.  It not only shows their attitude and mood, but it shows what they let in their life and what they give to others.  Social themes also give good insight on the way a person acts.  It is interesting to see how a person’s social themes relate to their attitude, behavior, and surroundings.  Roseanne is a good example of a person living in poverty. 

Roseanne is a sitcom about a woman and her immediate family living on a low income and dealing with everyday life issues.  For this sitcom I will be addressing the inequality between the wealthy and the poor, and the stereotypes that come along with it.  During the episode I will be discussing Roseanne’s sister, Jackie, deals with her boyfriend getting into an altercation with Roseanne’s husband, Dan. 

The opening scene shows Dan walking out of his living room with handcuffs on and two officers escorting him out.  Roseanne shuts the door after him and starts talking to her sister and children.  As she talks to them their expressions turn surprised and sad.   She is scrambling around the house to find money, and then gives it to her daughter.  Once her daughter, Darlene, takes the money and listens to what her mother has to say she gets a surprised look on her face. 

While Dan is in the jail cell the officer, who appears to be his friend, slips him a bag.  They both look very discreet as they look around to make sure nobody is looking.  Darlene comes into the jail house an walks up to Dan as he is turned away from the door.  As soon as she speaks he gets an upset look on his face.  Once she gives him the money he motions his hand for her to leave.  When Roseanne walks into the house both her and Dan start dancing with excitement. 

As soon as Jackie, Roseanne’s sister, walks in the room and says something everyone looks concerned and Dan looks upset.  Dan and Jackie walk into a different room where Jackie starts yelling at him.  Then she starts crying and hugs Dan. 

 The paper boy comes to the door and hands Dan a paper.  He looks frightened and runs away.  Dan yells something and slams the door.  Roseanne and Jackie are in the kitchen having a dramatic conversation.  Their body language shows that they both have an attitude and are either upset about something or with each other.  Roseanna stands with her hand on her hip and her face projected forwards while she yells.  Jackie yells and shakes her head to show her attitude.  As the conversation goes on you can see that they are upset with each other.  They are pointing fingers and yelling at each other. 

Jackie and Roseanna go to someone else’s house and start packing things into a box.  A man comes in with bruises all over his face and starts talking to Jackie.  Jacking becomes upset when she sees him and starts arguing with him.  Roseanne gets angry when she sees him and yells at him.  Jackie continues packing what appears to be her stuff. 

Jackie sets down with an ashamed look on her face.  Roseanna yells at her and leaves.  Jackie looks at the man that appears to be her former or present boyfriend with a sad face.  She then opens the door and sees Roseanne standing there.  Jackie picks up a box and walks out the door past Roseanne.  Roseanne looks like she has a sarcastically happy look on her face and walks in the house.  With a proud demeanor she grabs the TV.  The man stops her from walking out the door and motions to her than it is not Jackie’s TV.  She drops the TV with a sarcastic apology expression.  Dan and Roseanne are in their bedroom getting ready for bed.  Roseanne is yelling about something and then shoes a very excited look on her face.  They both jump into bed laughing. 

The Conner family is living on a low income, making it easy for an audience to relate to them.  There is a correlation between those living in poverty and violence.  Dan has become violent with Jackie’s boyfriend, leaving him in jail awaiting his family to bail him out.  During the episode he showed no sign of resentment.