Anaphora: Journal of Language. Literary and Cultural Studies
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): JULY

Labour Exploitation in Enola Holmes 2: A Marxist Analysis

Novaya Salsabila (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Pratiwi Retnaningdyah (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Jul 2026

Abstract

Enola Holmes 2 (2022) depicts Enola’s battles as a young detective and the harsh realities of the exploitation of the match factory workers in Victorian times. The aim of this study is to analyse the kinds of labour exploitation and class consciousness represented in the film. The current qualitative research uses script analysis with the theory of hegemony (Gramsci), repressive and ideological state apparatus (Althusser) and class consciousness (Marx and Engels). The findings indicate that exploitation takes place in three main forms: the normalisation of hazardous working conditions; the manipulation of information and propaganda by capitalist; and violence perpetrated by the state apparatus (the police), which acts as an instrument of the bourgeoisie. The oppression of this kind within the system created class consciousness among workers and resulted in collective strikes being employed as a method of political action. These strikes simultaneously challenged capitalist hegemony, altered relations of unequal production, and made workers active political agents. The research indicates film is not only for fun; it is an effective instrument for social critics.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ANAPHORA

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Anaphora : Journal of Language, Literary and Cultural Studies is a double-blind peer-reviewed journal, open access, and biannual academic journal dedicated to the publications of research in the areas of language, literature, and culture studies. Anaphora: Journal of Language, Literary and Cultural ...