Representation Theory

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Representation Theory

Causes

  • GAUNTLETT (The Intentional View)
  • GAUNTLETT (The Constructionist View)
  • LAURA MULVEY (Gender Theory  -Male and Female Gaze)
  • ANGELA MCROBBIE (Stereotypes)
  • KORD & KRIMMER (Feminism Lite)
  • STRAUSS (Binary Oppositions)

Effects

  • When representations reflect the producers opinion of who/what is being represented (biased/subjective)
  • When audiences build up their own picture of the representation constructed, based upon their own decision making and cultural experiences (a postmodern stance)
  • She spoke about how most film narratives were shot from the male point of view, viewing women weak, maternal and sexualised.
  • Male Gaze is as above, but the Female Gaze shows a change in feminism. It see's men as weak, vulnerable and shows a decline of masculinity in society. These go against stereotypes. However, stereotypes are formed through media representation.
  • These point our that there are limited roles for women in film - either maternal or sexualised, even in Post-modern films.
  • Binary oppositions are used in films to further reinforce the plot, and links to how we should perceive the world (active spectatorship) - For example, the character archetype of good and evil.

Overall summary

"HOW WE ARE SEEN DETERMINES HOW WE ARE TREATED, HOW WE TREAT OTHERS IS BASED ON HOW WE SEE THEM, HOW WE SEEM THEM COMES FROM REPRESENTATION." - Richard Dyer.

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