Gender & Cinema Lecture Notes

This set of flashcards reviews key concepts related to gender roles and representation in cinema, as discussed in the lecture notes.

What is the Male Gaze according to Laura Mulvey?

The Male Gaze aligns the camera with the heterosexual male perspective, portraying women as objects of visual pleasure.

What does the Madonna-Whore binary in cinema represent?

It contrasts the pure, nurturing nature of women (Madonna) with the seductive, dangerous qualities (Whore), often punishing active women.

What is hegemonic masculinity?

A form of masculinity that emphasizes power, control, and emotional suppression, often excluding other forms of masculinity.

How does 'Rear Window' exemplify the Male Gaze?

The narrative engine revolves around the male gaze, observing female bodies through frames.

What does 'Black Swan' illustrate about femininity?

It portrays monstrous femininity, where the female body is linked to discipline, pain, and madness leading to self-destruction.

What is the outcome for women portrayed as 'femme fatales'?

They often use their sexual freedom to lead men to danger, resulting in crime or death.

What themes does 'Call Me By Your Name' explore in masculinity?

It presents a sensitive and romantic masculinity that allows for emotional expression without shame or violence.

What does 'Moonlight' reveal about black masculinity?

It offers an alternative view, defining masculinity through emotional experience rather than aggression.

What does queer theory examine in cinema?

It questions fixed identities and explores common issues like tokenism and the tragedy narrative.

How does 'Paris Is Burning' represent queer identity?

It provides a platform for marginalized LGBTQ+ communities to narrate their own identities outside mainstream norms.

What intersections does 'Roma' explore in relation to femininity?

It focuses on the gendered experience of an Indigenous domestic worker shaped by class, ethnicity, and social marginalization.

What message does 'The Color Purple' convey regarding Black femininity?

It illustrates the survival and solidarity of women within systems of race, poverty, and gendered violence.