Blog 2: Freaks and Geeks

1. What are the groups and what functions do they serve? Are there negative influences from any of the groups (dysfunctions)? This is functional theory. It was developed by Emile Durkheim.    The freaks and the geeks. The freaks are the group that could be classified as "rebellious", and they are the bullies of the school. The geeks are the smart ones who follow all the rules and just try not to get hurt. They are the weaker group. The freaks influence many other kids to be like them and do things like cut class and smoke and bad things. 

2. Who has power in the episode? How or why do they have power? How do they use it? This is conflict theory. It was first developed by Karl Marx. One group that has power is the freaks over Lindsay. They have it because she wants to fit in with them and be "cool" so bad. They use it to get her to skip the dance and come with them. The other person with a lot of power is Alan over the geeks. They are so afraid of him beating them up that they have given him power. He uses it to constantly scare them and make them afraid of being near him.

3. What are the important symbols in the episode? Note that the symbols might be an object, but also might be an idea, an event or something else. How do the characters act based on the symbols they find important? This is symbolic interactionism. You can connect it to Max Weber. The biggest symbol is Nick's drumset in his garage that he showed to Lindsay. It represents his happy place, what he actually wants to try at. He acts so excited and happy about it because he loves drumming.

4. Can you relate any of these theories to your own life? How can the things you do be interpreted through one of these theories? For example why do you wear what you wear or why are you going to college or why do you stress yourself out to get "good" grades? Yes. I can see the conflict theory as it works through high school. Some older kids are seen as role models and I can see how younger students will try their hardest to be just like them, no matter what they do.