Black Mirror: The National Anthem Essay Questions

What role does humiliation play in "The National Anthem"?

Humiliation, which refers to the act of causing someone to feel foolish and ashamed by injuring their dignity, serves as a central theme in "The National Anthem." When Prime Minister Callow learns the kidnapper's sole demand is that Callow publicly engage in "full un-simulated sexual intercourse with a pig" on live television, he realizes that the usual motivations of political influence or money are not present; instead, the kidnapper's apparent aim is to witness the country's leader being publicly humiliated. As the episode progresses, Callow's wife becomes distressed by the scandal's humiliating impact on her husband, as the idea alone prompts people to visualize the obscene act in their minds. However, the humiliating ordeal unexpectedly bolsters Callow's public approval ratings.

What is the significance of public opinion polls in "The National Anthem"?

The prevalence of opinion polls in "The National Anthem" is significant because it speaks to the major theme of public opinion. Defined as the prevailing views held by the general population, public opinion becomes a significant factor in the story's narrative when Callow insists that the government must ensure the public remains unaware of the situation. Later, UKN seizes the opportunity to cover the scandal by conducting street interviews and publishing the results of opinion polls. Tom Blice, a staffer at No. 10, becomes fixated on monitoring these poll numbers and regularly updates Callow, who cannot help but consider how the scandal is affecting his reputation. Callow shows relief when Tom reveals that three-quarters of the electorate would not hold him accountable for the princess's death, a scene that suggests Callow prioritizes his chances of reelection over Susannah's life. Later, with eighty-six percent of voters believing Callow must meet the kidnapper's demand, he is left with no choice but to bend to public will. The theme resurfaces towards the end of the episode when a UKN reporter remarks on Callow's remarkably high approval ratings, indicating that the public respect him for his sacrifice.

What role does technology play in "The National Anthem"?

A staple theme of the Black Mirror series, the dark side of technology is a significant theme in "The National Anthem." In the episode, Carlton Bloom, an acclaimed visual artist who has received Britain's prestigious Turner Prize, utilizes technology as a tool to make a point about the pervasive influence of screens in our lives and the way the news and social media exploit humanity's darkest desires. By uploading his ransom video to YouTube, Bloom ensures that the public will share the video at a pace faster than the government can delete it. The story spreads rapidly on Twitter, reaching thousands of people before the Prime Minister even knows about it himself; this renders the British government powerless to prevent media coverage of the kidnapping. Bloom's access to technology also allows him to conceal his whereabouts by encrypting his IP address while uploading the video. He even preemptively predicts the government's tracking tactics, distracting them with a decoy location. In all, Brooker presents a bleak portrayal of a society oblivious to the ways consumer technology might be manipulated for sinister purposes.

What role does the media play in "The National Anthem"?

In "The National Anthem," Brooker shows how media sensationalism exploits humanity's basest desires. The theme of media sensationalism first arises when Callow tells his staff to impose a D-notice, which cautions the media against reporting the incident due to national security risks and potential harm to those involved. Cutting to the newsroom of UKN, Brooker shows the media outlet's eagerness to maximize viewership by exploring every possible angle of the story. Fragments of UKN's all-day coverage appear through the episode as the public comments on the scandal and "experts" wedge political bias into their takes on the kidnapper's motivations. Malaika, driven by the desire for an exclusive story, sends nude photos to a Downing Street staff member in exchange for confidential information about the assumed location of the kidnapper; her drive for a sensational scoop ends with her being shot in the leg, the mission botched on both her and the government's parts. At the end of the episode, a UKN report, set one year later, replaces its sensational tone with a more contemplative piece that makes reference to the public's involvement in Callow's humiliation. In this manner, Brooker portrays members of the news media exhibiting a sense of remorse for their role in drumming up interest in the scandal.

What role does voyeurism play in "The National Anthem"?

As one of the episode's major themes, voyeurism plays a significant role in "The National Anthem." Defined as deriving pleasure from witnessing the suffering or distress of others, voyeurism is explored mainly through Brooker's portrayal of the public enthusiastically watching the prime minister's ordeal. Despite the government's efforts to discourage viewers by starting the broadcast with a nauseating tone, shots of deserted streets imply that people across Britain have tuned in to witness their leader engaging in a sexual act with a pig. It is later revealed that a staggering 1.3 billion people around the world watched, like it was a car crash from which they couldn't look away. Once it becomes known that the entire incident was orchestrated by a visual artist, the public is confronted with the moral implications of their voyeuristic involvement in Bloom's sinister scheme. Perhaps out of shame for their complicity in the humiliation, most members of the public look favorably upon the prime minister, rewarding him with higher-than-ever approval numbers.