Arcane is a Netflix series that depicts a dystopian society where the wealthy city of Piltover rules over the low-class poverty stricken “Undercity”. The show depicts the struggles of two sisters, Vi and Jinx, starting with their troubled childhood and leading up to a climactic end that works to change the relationship between Piltover and The Undercity forever. The show depicts a battle between socioeconomic disparity, collective othering and portrays how wealth and power affect what is determined as just and unjust.
The show follows Vi, a troubled youth who is orphaned by a violent battle between the cities of Piltover and The Undercity. The story follows her development and continuously portrays her struggle with her socioeconomic status and the power Piltover has over her and her friends. Piltover has a Colonialism-like hold over the Undercity and dictates the fate of its citizens without any voice or representation from the Undercity’s citizens. This scenario is similar to Ahmad’s concept of “National Alleghory” (Ahmad, p2) in that, the undercity is subjected to the will of Piltover and its story is told for it. That story being its place under the thumb of Piltover’s power, told through the lens of colonialism. The city is viewed as not being able to govern itself and in need of Piltover’s rule.
Vi and Jinx looking upon Piltover.
Likewise, socioeconomic status plays a major role in the show as it dictates an individual’s identity and consequently their worth. Vi struggles to accept her place as beneath Piltover and routinely works to combat her “less-than” status. Throughout the show she works against the status quo and has interactions with Piltover citizens where they initially treat her as “less than,” othering her because of her socioeconomic status as a citizen of Zaun and interacting with her based on their notions of a “single story.” They believe they understand the Undercity without ever having been there. Over time, Piltover citizens come to realize they are not so different and that the relationship between the Undercity and Piltover must change.
The Undercity, the poor, “slum-like” city Vi calls home.
Arcane poses the scenario of how power operates within societies and how those who suffer from injustice seek to empower themselves. Some resort to violence, while others utilize more peaceful measures and in order to change the status quo, action must be taken. The show displays how those of differing identity interact with each other and how preconceived perceptions can be combated. There are elements of socioeconomic disparity, conflicting identities and colonialism in Arcane. The story shares some similarities with “Things Fall Apart” via ruling powers and Colonialism, Achebe’s “Single Stories” via perceptions and how forms of identity can conflict and change.