Memento

Question 1

Representations: How is femininity presented in memento

Answer 1

-a nuanced presentation of femininity, stereotypical tropes shown through the victimhood of Lenny’s wife and Sammy’s wife
-Natalie represents a femme fatale role, however instead of serving the male character, has her own motives and desires for which she manipulates Lenny to achieve these

Question 2

Representations: How is Masculinity presented in memento

Answer 2

-Presented stereotypically as Rash and violent characteristics shown through almost all of the male characters
-Lenny somewhat fits the Noir male archetype through his violent motivations for revenge, however he is emasculated via his dependence on external devices like polaroids and tatoos, and his inability to make informed moral decisions due to his condition

Question 3

Character notes: Lenny

Answer 3

-morally ambiguous
-anti hero, unreliable narrator, fits the noir archetype
-complexed troubled man on a quest to avenge his wife, is manipulated by almost everyone around him
-is a nuanced portrayal of masculinity, while violent and rash, lacks the rational and logical decisions that is typically associated with men