Society’s Symbolic Representations: an Analysis of the Chaves TV Program

Abstract

TV Chaves program with its repeated episodes and allegedly naïve jokes is analyzed. The Chaves program takes the spectator unobtrusively within the problem of hunger, social inequality, lack of family structure and educational decline. The episodes titled Arithmetic Class and Mocking Spirits were investigated. An interpretation of images in Mocking Spirits was undertaken through Peirce’s semiotics. Current study was undertaken to pinpoint issues that the educator may work with in the classroom to show the difference between reality and fiction, and thus training the students to be critical. In fact, this is what has been suggested by the National Curriculum Parameters, or rather, students must not be alienated by the Cultural Industry, a capitalist system that presents an imaginary world and manipulates the spectators.