The Bechdel Test is a commonly known test that identifies whether or not two woman talk to each other about something other than a man. Not surprisingly, a lot of films fail this test. Whiplash has only male lead characters; with the only woman being a secondary character. Considering that there are only two main characters, it is understandable that this film would not pass the test. However, it is interesting to note the lack of female characters even as background characters. The film Whiplash uses an all-male cast to exhibit how extreme and abusive Fletcher is towards his students by using language and stereotypes regarding masculinity. The audience is introduced to the main characters in the first scene. Andrew is playing the drum when his soon to be teacher, Fletcher, comes in and watches him play. This introduces the characters’ personalities as well. Andrew was eager to please and Fletcher acted like it wasn’t worth his time to watch him play. By this first scene, we can already tell that …show more content…
He uses homophobic insults towards the band and calls them ladies to get them to do what he wants. Fletcher believes that these subsets of people are below straight men. Why else would he use them as insults? There are no females in the band because his thoughts are they aren’t as good as men. Whether its women aren’t as ambitious or can’t handle the pressure, Fletcher won’t let them play in his band. These ideas are reflected by The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (Lockhart). In this book, the main character, Frankie, isn’t allowed in to a secret society because she is a girl. The leaders of this secret society have the same thoughts that Fletcher has. They believe women are too weak and won’t be able to keep up with them. Fletcher uses name calling as a way of telling the band that they are as bad as women or gay men. He believes that being either of those things is akin to being
The Bechdel Test has three seemingly simple requirements. First, at least two women have to have a significant role in the work. Secondly, these two females need to talk to each other at least once about, thirdly, something other than a man. To a reader, these needs are pretty easy to pass, however it can be shocking to find out how few movies and books actually pass the Bechdel Test.
However, in Modleski’s analysis of the film, Rear Window, it is apparent that it is the actions of the characters that evaluates and defines their masculinity or femininity. The heroines, Violet and Corky are opposites when it comes to appearance. As it was established, Violet is feminine and Corky is masculine. However, in the film it only initially seems like Violet plays the more passive role and Corky plays the more active role. At the escalation of the film, Violet demonstrates her masculinity and actively uses the male gaze in her
It is no secret that there is an obvious difference of how women are portrayed in the media versus men. This movie discussed female characters never having lead roles and stated that when they did it ended in the women depending on, loving, or having to have a man. One young high school girl said, “Women never play the protagonist. The girls are
Other characters are introduced throughout the play one by one; this creates a build-up of different levels of plot and character tension. The more characters the more drama and suspense as each character adds more to the storyline. For example, first the lead player, Vereen, and the other fictional players that are presumably “in” Pippin’s head are intro...
Society in general has a way of assigning men and women with individual roles that need to be complied with. To clarify, in the 1950s and 1960s, American women were required to maintain their homes while raising their children and making sure the husbands were happy. On the other hand, American men had to provide for the family and protect them. Displaying characteristics not parallel to one’s gender is rarely unobserved and almost always has negative consequences because society seeks to maintain order. In reality, the people cannot conform to society’s “norms” because people have the right to be independent of society, yet be a part of it without sacrifice. An example would be how American society views masculinity as a man who is strong,
The genre of analyzation in this paper is masculinity. More in depth, the societal perpetuation of the concept of masculinity and its effects on individuals. Masculinity is a concept defined as a category of attributes, social behaviors and roles generally associated only with individuals of the male sex. It is rarely associated with females unless they are butch lesbian, and even if they are not, society will portray them as so. The concept of masculinity is a social construct – most often seen in patriarchal cultures and societies and identified mainly with gender roles. Gender roles are the acceptable or appropriate societal norms dictating
Led by Laura Mulvey, feminist film critics have discussed the difficulty presented to female spectators by the controlling male gaze and narrative generally found in mainstream film, creating for female spectators a position that forces them into limited choices: "bisexual" identification with active male characters; identification with the passive, often victimized, female characters; or on occasion, identification with a "masculinized" active female character, who is generally punished for her unhealthy behavior. Before discussing recent improvements, it is important to note that a group of Classic Hollywood films regularly offered female spectators positive, female characters who were active in controlling narrative, gazing and desiring: the screwball comedy.
Many or all the male characters in the play hold strong anti-feminist views. Women are largely seen by them as “ma...
The most important events of this film all revolve around the female characters. While there are some male charac...
After watching this video, it became clear to be that my views on traditional masculine and feminine traits will be influenced. I understand the pressure that is put on both males and females to conform to society and the gender roles that accompany their culture. I will make a conscious effort to encourage males to act outside of the image they believe to be masculine. I will let them share their feelings and provide them with emotional support when they need it. I will also look at feminism differently. Before watching this video I believed that feminism was a good thing— now I believe that the idea of it is good but that is should change its objectives. I think that women should focus more on equality and less on the superiority of women. My thoughts regarding gender roles will be influenced after watching this movie.
This essay is looking at the work of the theorists Connell and Messerschmidt and the concept of hegemonic masculinity with a focus on gender identity. This essay will introduce Connell and Messerchmidts’ concept of hegemonic masculinity and then how that ties in with and how they address gender identity. Finally this essay will examine how these theorists examine gender identity with a view to implement reform or social change.
Sex and gender are attributes to our identity. Sex describes the physical and biological factors we are born with, for example male or female genitalia, as quoted from blackadder “A boy without a winkle is a girl” (Elton and Curtis 1998). Whether we have oestrogen or testosterone hormones also tells us if we are man or woman. Gender however is in relation to stereotypes of masculinity and femininity, and expectations of what characteristics men or women should portray. Anyone given the opportunity to describe men, they would say words like dominant, non emotional, macho, aggressive, and to be the provider and protector of his family. This essay sets out to examine if masculinity is socially constructed and to do this the theories of gender, media, historical societies and even sexuality will be analysed throughout.
Masculinity and femininity are two terms, which have been interpreted differently throughout history. Both the males and the females have responsibilities and duties but these duties differ based on one’s gender. Gender has played a prodigious role in the economy, politics, and the society. Everyone starts making interpretations of the strengths and weaknesses based on one’s gender. These interpretations are not always based on his or her ability but is usually based on his or her gender. Males tend to be judged as extremely strong and unfashionable in terms of appearance. Whereas, females are judged as expensive and very fashionable. Males and females both differ in their abilities and their enjoyments. Fashion, entertainment, and strength are three topics, which are used to define masculinity and femininity in the 21st century.
I do not pretend to be a complete expert in the vast world of men and women. However, as one of these creatures, I decided early on in life to do my best to figure out the relationship between us and our counterparts. This was very interesting to me because, unlike most people, I do not believe that we simply "evolved" to become what we are today. I believe we were created the way we are by a very big God who knew what He was doing, and did it for a purpose. After a mere 18 years of observation, I have concluded that we as humans are trying to look too deeply into the purpose of "man" and "woman." We make the relationship too complicated. We need to stop prying into why men like football and women like quilts, and simply accept that we do. That is the way it is. And as I shall point out, that is the way it is best.
By placing an emphasis on the man who uses women as sex objects by titling her play after him; by having almost all the female characters in the play treated horribly, used, and manipulated; and having the female characters barely putting up a fight, Aphra Behn suggests the heavily patriarchic society that exists is too extensive and is dangerous for the women in it.