Karl Marx | devilwearsprada

a Critical Approach OF

All of the power in Runway Magazine is obviously all directed toward Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of the organization. By using her assistants (viewed as subordinates in this case), Miranda has them to do her bidding due to her higher position (Formal Authority, 103). Although some of her orders are in reasonable means of what she may need, she does cross the line in order to access a few resources (Control of Boundaries, 103). Miranda uses Andy as a resource to do daily routines that an assitant is expected to do - pick up dry cleaning, necessities for the company. However, Andy also uses Miranda and her job at Runway as a resource, knowing that a position there will help her go places.

Emily, Miranda's first assistant, shows Andy the routine of Runway with a whole lot of sass to back it up. She is part of the dominant group with Nigel where she makes Andy conform to the values and behavior of Runway by obeying Miranda's orders, putting her up on a high pedestal as she is referred to as a "legend." By doing so, Andy accepts her role as Miranda's assistant (Hegemony, 107). This leads Emily to make assumptions in the workplace. As Andy replaces her previous job, Emily assumes that she's at the top. This leads her to use Andy as her resource to get to Paris, making her assumptions "justify and legitimize her actions" by not focusing on her work and focusing on her assumed trip to Paris (Ideology, 106).

As Andy approaches Runway Magazine, she appears to have no knowledge of this organization. This is shown when she speaks with Emily, asking what Runway is about and who Miranda Priestly is. For people who have been in the organization for a long time can see that she isn't aware of the norms of Runway with the way she dresses. Miranda recognizes this in her interview, giving a direct statement about her style instead of questioning it (Direct Criticism, 112). She does question her interest in this job, claiming that being her assistant would be a job that "millions of girls would kill for." This implies that the job at Runway is more important than any other option of employment (Control of Organizational Discourse, 105). By recognizing that her behavior and even her style doesn't fit with Runway, Nigel provides her with designer clothing. By giving her heels and the lastest clothes, Nigel is transforming her to fit into what Miranda and Runway look for (Concertive Control, 112).

A prime of example of Disciplined Bodies (116), a concept that is specifically directed to organizations with a large majority of females. This concept includes women having careful supervision of their nonverbal movement, like walking, sitting, etc. Due to the high demand of fashion and looking good, the employees follow the disciplined bodies due to the high demand of fashion and the urge to look good, the employees are forced to follow disciplined bodies that include strict dieting, as Emily states in the visual above.

Finally, Andy has made it to Paris. She finally proves herself to Miranda and all of Runway. However, she takes a moment to realize what she became just for this job. She gave into Social Pressure of the organization, letting the ridicule of how she looked get to her and transform herself to the image of what they wanted. This is a form of discipline because she hated the job; the boss; the people, but she chose to stay because she felt obligated to - referring back to the job that "millions of girls would kill for" (Social Pressure, 112). By recognizing this pressure, she resists against her by walking away from her (Resistance, 109). She contradicts Miranda's ideology about how "everybody wants this" by leaving her in Paris and boldly stating that this isn't the life she wanted.

Andy not only identifies with the values of the organization of Runway Magazine, she also takes it upon herself to define herself as a part of Miranda's daily life (Identification, 112). For example, Andy's father finally came into town and she had their day planned for them to enjoy. However, it was ruined by Miranda who chose to interfere due to her being stuck in Miami because of a hurricane. As her assistant, Andy took Miranda's concern of a delayed flight and made it her own.