5. Male Gaze Flashcards
What is the male gaze according to Laura Mulvey?
The male gaze occurs when the spectator is assumed to filter content through the lens of a heterosexual male, positioning them to examine what they see through male eyes.
This concept is discussed in Mulvey’s work ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’ (1975).
How does the male gaze affect female representation?
The male as ‘bearer of the look’ tends to fetishize the female, making her an object of desire to ‘tame’ and reassure masculinity, creating gratification for the male.
How does Kim Novak’s character Madeleine reflect the Hollywood studio system?
Novak’s experience suggests a requirement to conform to the studio system, feeling vulnerable and powerless within it.
She stated, ‘When I played it, I felt absolutely stripped naked… I felt so vulnerable.’
What does Hitchcock’s direction reveal about the studio system?
Hitchcock’s obsession with the façade indicates that actors had to follow the instructions of those dominant in the system, creating an oppressive working environment.
What does the framing of Judy and the store assistant signify?
The framing shows that the assistant listens to Judy while Scottie does not, highlighting a power imbalance where Scottie controls Judy’s choices.
How is power imbalance represented in Judy’s character?
A low angled shot on Judy when she attempts to assert herself illustrates the power imbalance, as Scottie manipulates her instead of compromising.
What does the mirror reflection of Judy represent?
The mirror reflection signifies that Madeleine is still a part of Judy and continues to linger in her identity.
