Laura Mulvey - Male Gaze Theory

Representation Theories
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Women are portrayed as decorative objects that dance, pose and rarely play instruments

women are more likely to be presented in provocative or revealing clothing

Our Opinion ?
When you look at an object, you are seeing more than just the thing itself: you are seeing the relation bet ween the thing and yourself. Men are mostly represented as being independent, adventurous, unemotional and competent
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Laura Mulveys Male Gaze Theory

The gaze is a Feminist theory developed to highlight the power imbalance bet ween men and women focusing on analysing the way men see women, the way women view themselves and other women. The theory suggests that an audience are forced to view the text from the perspective of a heterosexual male, as films constantly focus on womens curves and events that happen to them are portrayed at a male angle. The male gaze thinks of them as having the status of objects. Therefore the female viewers experience the text narrative secondarily, by identifying with a mans perspective (male gaze).

Wednesday, 14 November 12

Laura Mulveys Male Gaze Theory

In addition she argues that sexism can also occur in the way the text is presented. Moreover, people are encouraged to gaze at women in advertising that sexualizes a woman's body even when the woman's body is unrelated to the advertised product. Mulvey suggests that the audience view the films in t wo ways: voyeuristically and fetishistically. As audiences watch films without being watched by the characters they become onlookers of their lives. Therefore they become voyeurs of the people on screen. This can lead to t wo effects: objectification and narcissistic identification. Voyeurism involves turning the represented figure into a fetish so it becomes increasingly beautiful but more objectified.

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Sexual objectification and the male gaze. Laura Mulvey 1975

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What is the Gaze?

How men look at women how women look at other women

The concept is how the audience view the people presented

How women look at themselves

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An example of this...

Britney adheres to traditional gender stereo types by taking on the roles of a secretary, air hostess and waitress all of which are emphasised by highly sexualised costume and behaviour She is also seen with various men throughout the video and suggestive body language is used. She gains sexual power from physical attractiveness to men

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This links to ...

Exhibitionism and voyeurism

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Exhibitionism
The Similarity- Women are often seen as being sexually provocative and apparently in control of sexualised gaze. Is it for male gain? Or for womens self confidence?

The Difference- Women have the ability to choose how they are seen by other women and men, they want to empower their sexuality.

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An example of this

Madonna is a common example of exhibitionism as although she used to be a subject of voyeurism she has decided to create the persona she has now and carry on the s exy woman side to her music and performances from the Like a Virgin gold bra to her newest album MDNA.
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Voyeurism
The idea comes from the theories of Sigmund Freud and is the idea that pleasure can be gained by looking at a sexual object.

It is said to be from a male viewpoint and it is thought that women can be become a subject of voyeurism without choosing it.

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An example of this...

Pippa Middleton could be a subject of voyeurism as the wedding of Prince William and her sister, Katherine Middleton she wore a fitted dress which emphasised her curves. This caused unprovoked attention from the press and a large male audience over her bum.
Wednesday, 14 November 12