The Cult of Americanism: An analysis of BioShock Infinite’s dystopic Columbia as social commentary on American exceptionalism

Abstract

This master’s thesis analyses BioShock Infinite as a critique of American exceptionalism. As a multi-modal video game, Infinite merges aesthetic design, music, and narrative into an egocentric moral experiences that allows for moral deliberation surrounding the self. This thesis aims to provide textual support that , by perversion of American symbols and myths, BioShock Infinite offers a critique of American values of populism, individualism, Christianism, and capitalism. Analysis of characters such as Comstock, the religious leader, and Jeremiah Fink, the ruthless businessman, provide support that they function as personifications of American exceptionalism’s values. Furthermore, the city of Columbia mirrors American society structurally, critiquing the historic exploitation of the working class and minority groups. Through BioShock Infinite’s position as a large-scale production published by an American company, it has the ability to offer social commentary from within the hegemonic culture. Despite Infinite’s 2013 release predating the 2016 election, the rhetoric and alternative facts of Zachary Hale Comstock has parallels to Donald Trump’s cult of personality, and offers insights into the values that creates populist authoritarian leaders.