Family, Power, and the Politics of Capital: A Symbolic Reading of HBO’s Succession

Shohini Sen

Research scholar

NorthCap University

Dr. Chetna Karnani
Assistant Professor
The NorthCap University, Gurugram, India

Dr. Gouri Kapoor

Assistant Professor
The NorthCap University, Gurugram, India

Abstract :

HBO’s “Succession” is an award winning TV series that centers around the family and power dynamics of the Roy’s, a business conglomerate family. The study demonstrates how creator Jesse Armstrong utilizes specific motifs—such as failed patriarchal succession, food and consumption as power dynamics, and technology as both connection and alienation—to construct a critique of late-stage capitalism and dynastic power.

The series is replete with symbols of power dynamics and motifs pertaining to food, water, bodies, art and technology. The series utilises language as an expression of symbols relaying ideas of childhood trauma, parental discord, sibling rivalry as well as hierarchical politics. Narrative motifs have been used to highlight upon the corporate kingpin, Logan Roy’s – decaying health and persistent denial of the same. The use of advanced and sophisticated technology has been suggested to indicate the overpowering of subsequent generations and revised thought processes, over traditional methods of operation.

The destruction of authentic human connections and the decay of human empathy and care, in the hands of greed for money, power and fame will be discussed in this research, as explored by the use of natural motifs and suggestive language. Familial dysfunction and its impact on character growth and development has also been discussed via the use and abuse of wealth and high society products and infrastructure. References to pop culture and historic figures and events, helps highlight the inevitability of the cyclical nature of the abuse of power, particularly in the contexts of gender, class and race.