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“The Legend of Zelda” is classist, sexist and racist: Game takes dim view of workers, women..
Salon ^ | October 5, 2013 | Jon Hochschartner

Posted on 10/06/2013 12:00:19 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the release of “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” Critics frequently laud the Nintendo 64 title as the greatest video game ever. And yet the ways it deals with class, race, gender and animal rights are all deeply problematic.

Some readers may take criticism of “Ocarina” as dismissal of the game. But this isn’t the case. As Feminist Frequency blogger Anita Sarkeesian says, “Remember that it’s both possible and even necessary to simultaneously enjoy media while also being critical of its more problematic or pernicious aspects.”

Because games’ technological capabilities have increased so rapidly since “Ocarina” was released, I suspect the title’s reputation is somewhat inflated due to nostalgia of critics of a certain age. But it’s a nostalgia I share. There is no game with which I have more fond memories. So criticism here should be interpreted as loyal opposition.

The game’s perspective on class issues can best be seen in its portrayal of the Kakariko carpenters and the wealthy family in the House of Skulltulla.

The relationship between the self-described “boss” of the carpenters and those he calls “my workers,” appears to be one of a guild member and apprentices or journeymen. The boss refers to himself as a master craftsman, and says the workers were hired by the royal family to improve the village. Karl Marx described this relationship as one of “oppressor and oppressed,” comparing it to that of “freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, (and) lord and serf.”

“Ocarina” portrays the apprentices or journeymen as lazy and shiftless, and the boss as the only one willing to work....

(Excerpt) Read more at salon.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: anniversary; legendofzelda; racism; sexism; videogames; zelda
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

LOL making a fuss about a video game..I always thought that liberals have NO life, this just reaffirms that fact


21 posted on 10/06/2013 12:47:00 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: miliantnutcase

Zelda: The Wind Maker HD came out today for the Wii U, Im gonna buy it


22 posted on 10/06/2013 12:47:30 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Meanwhile China is positioning itself to take over the world.
23 posted on 10/06/2013 12:48:17 PM PDT by Vision (Trayvon Martin illustrates the bankruptcy of the modern civil rights movement.)
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To: GraceG

There two guys at the refinery where I work who look just like Mario and Luigi. They know it and play it up..


24 posted on 10/06/2013 1:01:15 PM PDT by cardinal4 (Is Obama's caddy considered "essential personnel"?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Someone has too much time on his hands


25 posted on 10/06/2013 1:10:53 PM PDT by RightGeek (FUBO and the donkey you rode in on)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

On the other hand, jihad firstperson shooters are probably A-OK.


26 posted on 10/06/2013 1:19:49 PM PDT by Hardraade (http://junipersec.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/nicolae-hussein-obama/)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Ridiculous? Moronic is closer. Funny, the Zelda series are my wife’s favorite games to this day.

It’s a game for God’s sake.


27 posted on 10/06/2013 1:35:37 PM PDT by RJS1950 (The democrats are the "enemies foreign and domestic" cited in the federal oath)
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To: RJS1950; 2ndDivisionVet

Of course it’s moronic, it’s Salon. The Marx quote doubles the idiot factor.


28 posted on 10/06/2013 1:42:13 PM PDT by darkangel82
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To: Sarah Barracuda

Karl Marx described this relationship as one of “oppressor and oppressed,” comparing it to that of “freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, (and) lord and serf.”

It would seem that the author has never had to run a
business or lead a crew...

Marx, that’s so 19th century.
Marx and Mohammed, both stuck in the past.


29 posted on 10/06/2013 1:46:26 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Pretty brutal all right, but nowhere as brutal as Pong. There the little dot represents the Working Class, bounced back and forth between the paddles of Capitalism. And you know what? If they miss the paddles they DIE! AND THE CAPITALIST GETS A POINT!! And so there they are caught between the violence inherent in the oppression of the system or DEATH!

Don't even start me on Ms PacMan.

30 posted on 10/06/2013 1:49:49 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Dead Rising” is insensitive to the needs of “life deprived” Americans. At least the democrats still let them vote.


31 posted on 10/06/2013 2:02:45 PM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: Sarah Barracuda

How do you like the Wii U thus far?


32 posted on 10/06/2013 2:20:29 PM PDT by miliantnutcase
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To: miliantnutcase

The Wii U is great..it can play Wii games too so it will probably replace the Wii soon. I think the mistake Nintendo made from the get go was that they charged too much for the system, 350 for the deluxe model(Which is what I have) was overpriced..if they had made it between 199-250 I think they would have sold more. I am looking forward to Super Mario 3D world its coming out November 22nd that game looks GREAT


33 posted on 10/06/2013 2:22:26 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

What a loser, I wonder what the people in NY drink to make them think up such crap..!


34 posted on 10/06/2013 3:17:16 PM PDT by JSDude1 (Is John Boehner the Neville Chamberlain of American Politics?)
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To: Sarah Barracuda

We’re looking at getting my 5 year old son a console for Christmas, and it’s looking like a PS3 at this point (due to cost). However, regarding the Wii U I really like the concept, and of course the Nintendo exclusives.


35 posted on 10/06/2013 3:18:27 PM PDT by miliantnutcase
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To: Charles Martel

lol! Or Conker’s Bad Fur Day


36 posted on 10/06/2013 3:21:58 PM PDT by miliantnutcase
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To: miliantnutcase

The PS4 looks awesome..but for a 5 yr old depending on the kinds of games he likes to play, I would consider getting him a Wii U..its more kid friendly, and maybe the price will go down..some stores already have them marked down..Wii U fit comes out November 1st, Mario and Sonic Olympic Games 2014 also comes out in November..Wii U party comes out the end of this month so yeah they are coming out with some good games..Your 5 yr old might like Disney Infinity Starter Pack, that is out for all the systems..or if he is into Pokemon the new Pokemon X & Y is coming out on October 12th..many games to choose from, maybe around Black Friday is when they might have some great deals


37 posted on 10/06/2013 3:29:15 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Lindsey Stirling’s Zelda medley on violin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3KUyPKbR7Q

12.6 million hits.


38 posted on 10/06/2013 3:40:30 PM PDT by Rebelbase (Tagline: (optional, printed after your name on post))
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To: CitizenUSA

Well said!

And this woman is very grateful to all of the men who make my modern lifestyle possible. (Of course, the best man of all is my wonderful husband.)


39 posted on 10/06/2013 3:43:41 PM PDT by Bigg Red (Let me hear what God the LORD will speak. -Ps85)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
“Remember that it’s both possible and even necessary to simultaneously enjoy media while also being critical of its more problematic or pernicious aspects.”

I've tried and tried, but I still can't enjoy salon.com.

40 posted on 10/06/2013 4:36:31 PM PDT by Lonely Bull
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