Fargo Film Analysis Through Conflict, Deviance, and Gender Theory

Introduction

Fargo is a film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, and it is a narrative that may seem ambiguous to some viewers. The story is filled with scenes of violence, anger, and fallen moral characters that can cause disgust toward one’s own person. However, among these negative aspects is a character named Marge Gunderson, whose character is intriguing and impressive. The man in question may not have been influenced by the evil surrounding him. In this theoretical review, the film will be examined from the standpoint of conflict theory, deviation theory, and gender theory to reveal the main moral center of the film.

Theoretical Approach

Conflict Theory

The first to consider is conflict theory, which focuses on how social inequality can affect society. In Fargo, every action the character takes is due to the impact of conflicts at the root of economic inequality. Thus, individuals must live in a constant social struggle for survival or, at best, a better life. Theories, including those in the film, are often based on hand-selected, limited examples (Matthews and Glitre).

An example of a conflict theory portrayed in the movie is Jerry Lundegaard and his family, who are desperate for money. The following action in the film is an example of Jerry abducting and brutalizing people for economic gain. The conflict in the work appeared against the background of the hero’s desire to improve his financial situation in illegal ways. The second example is the conflict between Jerry and the hired kidnappers, where each side seeks power and control. This illustrates the confrontation between people, each with their own interests.

Deviance Theory

The next theory is that of deviance, which explores those norms of human behavior that do not conform to social standards. In the case of this film, one of the most striking examples of the application of the theory of deviance is the behavior of Gaear Grimsrud, who commits their actions with extreme cruelty and feels no shame for them. It also concerns criminal Carl Showalter, whose decisions about abduction and violence are against the moral framework. His actions are an affront to public order, evidence of deviant behavior in the narrative. The second example of the application of the theory is Marge Gunderson, who is a kind of moral counterweight to the mentioned character, who remains fair and collected, unlike her antagonists, Gaear and Carl, in advocating social norms.

Gender Theory

Finally, another theory used in the film is gender, the primary purpose of which is to investigate social constructions based on a person’s gender. In this case, it is considered how societal stereotypes influence a person’s behavior in society, regardless of whether it is a man or a woman. In Fargo, the representation of sex is quite diverse. Overall, thematic modeling can help the researcher understand how a film’s themes, genres, and theories can be related (Matthews and Glitre).

One of the main events in the story is the story of Marge Gunderson, a pregnant boss who decides to go against and challenge gender stereotypes. The hero demonstrates his steadfastness and strength, and pregnancy symbolizes her resilience to hardships and her ability to stay sober in a chaotic environment. The film portrays Marge as a strong and independent woman, proving to society that gender equality can exist.

Another good example is the character of Jean Lundegaard, who is depicted as subservient to traditional gender roles. The directors compare Jean to Marge, showing the contrast between these women and the way other members of the community treat them.

Conclusion

The complex characters and fascinating storytelling make Fargo a valuable subject for studying moral norms in chaos. Conflict theory helps the viewer understand power dynamics and what motivates the characters to take action. The idea of deviance demonstrates possible deviations from social norms and their consequences for the continuation of anarchy in society. The gender theory, in contrast, shows the different gender roles of women and emphasizes that everyone can be a full member of the community with their own ambitions and goals.

Fargo was analyzed within a theoretical framework based on the three theories present in the work. This analysis allows for a deeper understanding of the film’s morality. On the other hand, it looks at what is happening in the movie. Human beings need to reflect on the nature of good and evil and which of these forces has a more significant influence on the general behavior of society. This film provides insight into how having a moral center can reduce violence among people and transcend the social deviations depicted in the paintings.

In general, Fargo is an enjoyable cinematic experience, as the narrative is quite tricky, and some scenes offer extra time for reflection. The main thematic goal of the story is to analyze human behavior and determine its complexities. In addition, the potential of good in the face of evil is a significant theme that affects conflict theory, deviance theory, and gender, among other things.

Work Cited

Matthews, Paul, and Kathrina Glitre. “Genre Analysis of Movies Using a Topic Model of Plot Summaries.” Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, vol. 72, no. 12, 2021, pp. 1511–1527. Web.

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StudyCorgi. "Fargo Film Analysis Through Conflict, Deviance, and Gender Theory." October 2, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/fargo-film-analysis-through-conflict-deviance-and-gender-theory/.

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StudyCorgi. 2025. "Fargo Film Analysis Through Conflict, Deviance, and Gender Theory." October 2, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/fargo-film-analysis-through-conflict-deviance-and-gender-theory/.

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