The Political Ideology of Trainspotting
Trainspotting is set in the 1980s even though the movie was shot in the 1990s when the political and social environment completely changed, however the book was written in the 1980s and the setting captures the post-industrial Leith with high unemployment, poverty, low aspirations and AIDS and heroin epidemic under Thatcherism. The book, and so does the film represent the characters as products of their political and social environment during Margaret Thatcher's time as Prime Minister and forcing them to face problems that this time brought. Not only Renton but also rest of the boys are representatives of all of these problems as we see them in bad living conditions showing poverty, most of them addicted on heroine and even Tommy is a victim of AIDS epidemic and last but not least the unemployment as we see no one at work. Even Renton himself says once that Scotland is ruled by England which points out on Thatcherism, there is also a bit of American impact due to Iggy Pop. However some things might be questionable whenever it's a consequence of Thatcherism or not, for example unemployment- no character has a job and when there is one opportunity for Spud, he is purposely on drugs and sabotages it which reveals he chooses unemployment himself. Strange is that out of all characters we got put Spud on the job interview and not for example someone who we would expect- Tommy as he seems the best candidate for having a job. It can be also taken that they are bored because they don't have jobs so they decide to spend their free time on drugs as there is basically nothing else to do due to unemployment however it's vague as even if someone gets the opportunity they rather choose addiction than workplace. The character of Tommy however still gives us the feeling of impact of Thatcherism on the situation as he is a representative of a normal man but still without having any job.
Renton can be viewed as a "mixed product" as he tries to escape from being under this regime and decides to move to London to find a job and get rid of drugs whereas others stay in Leith and choose unemployment and drugs. London is a financial centre where is all the profit and wealth creation so it it's a good choice for him to separate from his friends and become an individual so he could change his position and get a Thatcherite job which is an estate agent in London.
Essentially, due to Thatcherism was the situation that bad and so Thatcher is the one to blame as she caused the problems of unemployment, poverty, drugs, and others. In 1974 she unveiled the Poll Tax and as first she introduced it to Scotland which led to increasing poverty and it created a real hater from Scottish people towards her.
Trainspotting is set in the 1980s even though the movie was shot in the 1990s when the political and social environment completely changed, however the book was written in the 1980s and the setting captures the post-industrial Leith with high unemployment, poverty, low aspirations and AIDS and heroin epidemic under Thatcherism. The book, and so does the film represent the characters as products of their political and social environment during Margaret Thatcher's time as Prime Minister and forcing them to face problems that this time brought. Not only Renton but also rest of the boys are representatives of all of these problems as we see them in bad living conditions showing poverty, most of them addicted on heroine and even Tommy is a victim of AIDS epidemic and last but not least the unemployment as we see no one at work. Even Renton himself says once that Scotland is ruled by England which points out on Thatcherism, there is also a bit of American impact due to Iggy Pop. However some things might be questionable whenever it's a consequence of Thatcherism or not, for example unemployment- no character has a job and when there is one opportunity for Spud, he is purposely on drugs and sabotages it which reveals he chooses unemployment himself. Strange is that out of all characters we got put Spud on the job interview and not for example someone who we would expect- Tommy as he seems the best candidate for having a job. It can be also taken that they are bored because they don't have jobs so they decide to spend their free time on drugs as there is basically nothing else to do due to unemployment however it's vague as even if someone gets the opportunity they rather choose addiction than workplace. The character of Tommy however still gives us the feeling of impact of Thatcherism on the situation as he is a representative of a normal man but still without having any job.Renton can be viewed as a "mixed product" as he tries to escape from being under this regime and decides to move to London to find a job and get rid of drugs whereas others stay in Leith and choose unemployment and drugs. London is a financial centre where is all the profit and wealth creation so it it's a good choice for him to separate from his friends and become an individual so he could change his position and get a Thatcherite job which is an estate agent in London.
Essentially, due to Thatcherism was the situation that bad and so Thatcher is the one to blame as she caused the problems of unemployment, poverty, drugs, and others. In 1974 she unveiled the Poll Tax and as first she introduced it to Scotland which led to increasing poverty and it created a real hater from Scottish people towards her.
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