Sociology Imagination in the Bicycle Thief Assignment 2022

Running head: SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
Sociological Imagination in the Bicycle Thief
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
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Introduction
Class division is one of the most significant sociological evil that plagues any society of
the world. Although this concept arose at the time of the onset of colonialism and the starting
phase of capitalism, it is seen to be prevailing even in the in the modern contemporary society
(Vojković, 2019). This shows the extent of predominance that the sociological concepts of class
and class division has taken its hold over the human civilization (Merlo, 2017). The main
purpose of this essay is to analyze a movie which would be able to understand a sociological
imagination in the context of Mill’s promise of sociology and relationship that is seen to be
existing between the individuals and the structures of the society. In this respect, the essay tries
to analyze the movie known as the ‘bicycle thieves’ where the different class struggles as shown
the movie has been critically analyzed.
Analysis of the movie
“The Bicycle Thieves” is an Italian movie, considered to be belonging to the genre of
Neorealist times (Cardullo, 2016). It was directed by Vittorio De Sica whose main purpose was
to show to the world how deep the roots of class struggle and class division existed in the society
(Cardullo, 2016).
The movie begins with the character of Antonio Ricci who is seen to be desperately
searching for a job in order to sustain his family (Pérez, 2017). However, due to a job crisis, the
only job that he was able to land was that of pasting certain advertisement bills on the walls of
the society. However, he was unable to take the job as it required a bicycle which he did not
poses. When his wife, Maria heard about it, she sold the bed sheets which she received from her
family in her dowry and used this money to get Antonio a bicycle (Pérez, 2017). The next day

SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
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when Antonio was at work, another man named Vittoria Antonucci stole his bicycle. Antonio
tried his hardest to catch the thief but soon he lost trail. The police informed him that the stolen
good often resurface in a place called the Plazza Vittorio where Antonio went with his friends.
However, they were unable to find his possession.
Antonio encounters the thief in a series of situations after that. However, during all the
encounters, he was unable to catch him. The time he was able to, the policemen could not find
any sign of his bicycle in Antonucci’s apartment which led the gathering people to blame
Antonio for placing false accusations on Antonucci (Cardullo, 2016). While returning home,
Antonio saw a bicycle unattended lying near a football stadium. He was in a deep ethical
dilemma but decided to steal it. However, after a certain distance, he was caught by the police
and was arrested in front of his son, Bruno. The owner of the stolen bicycle noticed the
depressed condition of Antonio and felt compassionate towards him and thereby, asked the
policemen to realize Antonio. The movie ended by showing the tearful state of Antonio while
Bruno held his father’s hand tightly in a reassuring manner (Iannone, 2015).
Sociological Implications
The most profound sociological theory that could be observed to be present in the course
of the movie is that of class division. The situation of Antonio was so financially depressive that
his family was absolutely dependent on him. This was in sharp contrast to the other rich people
of the society who were not required to work because of their financial stability (Merlo, 2017).
The movie also focused on the deplorable condition of the economy by showing the
stealing of the bicycle of Antonio’s. According to Pérez (2017), the economy was in shambles
during the time period in which this movie was shown. As a consequence of this, nearly every