Final answer:
The key element to melodrama is its emphasis on moral simplicity and emotion, characterized by stock characters and clear moral distinctions, aligning with totalitarian ideologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key element to melodrama that makes it a viable genre for a totalitarian system is the emphasis on c) Moral simplicity and emotion. Melodrama, particularly in the 19th century, was characterized by music (leitmotifs), special effects, and stark moral binaries with clear distinctions between good and evil. Characters in melodramas are often stock characters representing these moral extremes, which creates a predictable narrative structure where the audience anticipates a just and happy resolution. This predictability and emotional appeal make melodrama suitable within controlled societies, providing a clear moral message that aligns with the ideologies upheld by totalitarian systems.