How Is Manuela A Petticoat

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The petticoat scene in Girls in Uniform becomes a pivotal point in the relationship between Manuela and Fraulein von Bernburg. It creates an arguably significant shift in their prior relationship, whilst also being a main cause for Manuela’s dilemma in the second half of the film.
Fraulein von Bernburg serves as an admirable figure in the boarding school, who many students are smitten by including Manuela. The action of giving Manuela a petticoat serves as an indicator to the audience that Fraulein von Bernburg reciprocates a level of affection towards Manuela. The petticoat itself is an undergarment, which creates this connotation of intimacy and sensuality. Due to this perceived intimacy the object has been described by Zimnik as ‘a fetishistic token.’ The petticoat’s fetishistic characteristics can be seen through Manuela’s admiration for Fraulein von Bernburg, as Bernburg becomes both an object of affection and to some extent a Maternal figure for Manuela. On an external level the petticoat appears to be a motherly gift that a mother would give to her daughter, yet this becomes distorted as Manuela holds a deeper affection for Bernburg, therefore distorting the act and making it become fetishized. In the scene where Manuela professes her love …show more content…

Manuela’s feeling of exclusivity has always been present throughout the film, one

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