Shubert- Sweeney Todd

        Throughout the course of Sweeney Todd, we see Todd transforming into a revenge-seeking homicidal maniac. At first he does not intend on killing the hundreds that he ends up killing but only the judge. However as the movie progresses, with Mrs. Lovett as a guide, Todd becomes a murderer who is promoting cannibalism to the unsuspecting masses of London. The whole idea of cannibalism is toyed with by Burton in this film.

         At first Mrs. Lovett only wants Sweeney Todd to kill his customers because meat is expensive and she wants fresh meat that tastes good and is cheap…or free. This whole idea transforms, however, in the scene where she proposes the idea of cannibalism to Todd. He sees it not just as a way to make money but, as human nature. “Man eating man.” He takes the idea of cannibalism and creates a socio-political solution from it. The poor are usually the ones to serve and feed the upper class but now with the Todd’s idea of cannibalism it is the upper class who will serve the lower class…literally.

         We see this idea formed in London where the growth and urbanization at the time was creating two very distinct classes of man-“the one staying put in his proper place and the one with his foot in the other one's face." The whole idea of London at the time was that the city itself was devouring people in all senses. They were losing their individuality, their belongings, and sometimes even their lives. This idea of London’s urbanization plays a big part in Sweeney Todd especially when talking about cannibalism.

         The growth of London also had a lot to do with capitalism. Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett represent the retailers and all of the unknowing customers are the consumers. This idea brings cannibalism into a more grotesque light because the consumers do not seem to care where the meat has come from as long as it tastes good. This is seen not only in London but also in today’s time in America. Many of the fast food’s meats are not even meat but the consumers do not care as long as the food tastes good and is cheap. Sweeney Todd therefore speaks to many people on a personal level even if they do not realize it at first. It is not just about literal cannibalism but what the idea of cannibalism represents.