Postmodernism in The Truman Show

The idea of postmodernism is highly apparent in American culture. It is quite often that Americans critique the media and its effects on Americans. Americans commonly criticize our culture for publicizing all sorts of media that promote negative ideas, such as the objectification of women, promoting unhealthy foods, and enforcing stereotypes. Although Americans may be aware of the media they consume constantly, everyone continues to be affected by the messages and have these ideas ingrained into their minds. Postmodernism relates to self-awareness, especially while the brain is being manipulated or persuaded a certain way.

Postmodernism can be viewed in the tv show and movie, The Truman Show. In this show, Truman has lived his entire life on a set that is created by a director and crew. The movie displays how Truman is manipulated and his entire life is literally controlled by the media. He lives in a massive dome, the weather is controlled electronically, and all the humans are paid actors. Overall, The Truman Show uses the ironic set-up to promote the ideal motive that people should aim to control their own fate, day by day. It also displays postmodernism. Americans consume so many ideas and images that the media inevitably influences us, whether we are aware or not. Therefore, when we receive so many ideas from the media about the way life “should be,” our expectations may not match up with reality.