Representation Of Gender In Formation Flashcards
Formation- Representation of Gender
What is Mulvey’s Male Gaze Theory??
Laura Mulvey proposed that, because filmmakers are predominantly Male, the presence of women in film is often solely for the purposes of display. The display, to facilitate a ‘male gaze’, leaving the woman objectified and passive.
What can emphasise the Male Gaze in music videos?
Fragmented Body Shots.
Revealing Clothing/ Costume.
Lots of others, eg women seen sexually or decorative.
Beyonce Formation Lyrics
What are examples of the lyrics challenging stereotypes of women?
‘I take his ass to Red Lobster’
‘If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper’
‘I might get your song played on the radio station’
- In these lines Beyonce is reversing/ challenging typical gender roles and challenging the patriarchal discourse. She is saying that she will take him out IF he is nice to her. Shows that she has the power.
- The lines also shows women as wealthier, more successful and more influential than men.
- Represents women as independent and not reliant on men.
How is Beyonce physically positioned in the frame to challenge gender stereotypes?
- Beyonce is frequently, if not always, centrally framed and looking at the audience. This shows Beyonce and women as being very active.
- This challenges the past media gender stereotypes of women being passive.
- Beyonce is positioned on top of the police car in one scene, crouching almost animalisticly, symbolizing her power over authority, shows her as active and powerful, not passive.
How do the costumes that Beyonce wears in Formation challenge or reinforce gender stereotypes of women?
- The first outfit that Beyonce wears, whilst sat on the police car, is a high neck, buttoned up, long dress. This challenges the Male gaze theory and stereotypes of women as passive and sexualised and objectified. This is also challenged by the quite high-necked Georgian outfits worn by Beyonce and the women in a scene in the music video.
- The women,including Beyonce, all wear large pieces of jewellery, this presenting the women as fierce, powerful and confident, which challenges the stereotypes of female passivity.
-However, some of the clothing worn by Beyonce and the other women in the music video, including the low-cut red body suit and the bra and hot pants combo, is quite revealing, which could subsequently attract the male gaze and support this theory, and could also support the stereotypical gender stereotypes of women being objectified and sexualised in music videos.
What actions does Beyonce and the other women do in the Formation music video to challenge or support gender stereotypes?
- There is a woman driving a truck, which is quite prominent in the video. This action presents women as strong and in control and challenges gender stereotypes of female passivity.
- Quite aggressive choreography danced by Beyonce and the other women in the video, this challenges the gender stereotype of female passivity and shows that they are not dancing sensually or sexually, to please men or to attract the male gaze, they are dancing powerfully and to make a stand and be strong.
What are some Media contexts relating to the presentation of women in Beyonce’s Formation?
- Beyonce has stated before that she is a Feminist and this media text reinforces feminist ideology.
- Formation acknowledges the labour of black women as fighters in social justice movements, even though popular culture has been more interested in the role of men in these movements and what they have to say in their art/performance.
- It’s projecting the message that black women have to work together to fight oppression from men and white supremacy/hegemony.
Masculinity in Formation
Men are stood behind Beyonce, seen as her crew, she has power over them.
Challenges gender stereotypes of female passivity.
What hand signals/ actions does Beyonce use in Formation to challenge gender stereotypes?
Beyonce puts both her middle fingers up (swears) directly at the camera and the audience. This connotes her anger at the New Orleans situation and that she is expressing her anger in her art and taking a stand, this challenging gender stereotypes of female passivity, she is shown as active and powerful.
