Liesbet van Zoonen (Feminist)

Question 1

What is the outline of van Zoonen’s argument?

Answer 1

Culture/media is crucial in establishing gender roles and the dominance of patriarchal ideologies.

Question 2

How does van Zoonen build of Laura Mulvey’s idea of the male gaze?

Answer 2

The media presents the female body as objectified and sexualised for the benefit of male audiences.

Question 3

What are the 5 aspects that Mark Dixon highlighted about van Zoonen’s argument?

Answer 3

Women are typically:

• Objectified
• Restricted to secondary rules
• Constructed to be presented as passive
• Framed differently to men (camerawork and mise-en-scene)
• Presented to reinforce Western beauty ideals

Question 4

Who contributed to van Zoonen’s argument by highlighting how differently women are presented in the media?

Answer 4

Mark Dixon

Question 5

What did van Zoonen believe women should create and try to do?

Answer 5

Their own means of communication and try to free themselves by cutting off all ties with men and male society.

Question 6

What does van Zoonen believe male producers think they’re doing?

Answer 6

Reflecting dominant social values when presenting women stereotypically, but they’re oppressing them instead.