Gender Representation (Female)

Laura Mulvey - Male Gaze

Influenced by Freud and Jacques Lucan, Mulvey sees the representation of women in film & literature ( and therefore in society in general) as being dominated by a male point of view. Her belief is that the world is a patriachy and that men have the 'ative' roles and women are 'passive'

Traditionlly

• Men play active roles which drive the narrative
• Women play passive roles and are seen as erotic objects which slow the narrative.
• Men far outnumber women.

Stereotypes

• Bimbo
• Females physical attraction such as figure and breasts overpower the male.
• Easy
• Housewife
• Mother
• Intelligent yet willing to settle down.

Male Gaze

• Two distinct modes of the male gaze of this era voyeuristic and fetishistic
• Mulvey argued that women were given to character types - sexually active female and powerless female.
• Films presented images of women that were produced simply for the gratification of male viewers.

Importance?

Women are far more likely to be shown as:

• Frightened
• In need of protection and direction
• offering support to the male lead character(s)
• Not dependent or self driven
• Generally weaker
• Still objectified sexually.

" Women in any fully human form, have almost completely been left out of film"  L Mulvey

As womens roles change so does the media representation. still objectified but also likely to be ....

• Career driven
• Intelligent
• Confident
• Empowered
• Able (violent)

 Misogony - The contempt or hatred of women and girls.