'Masculinity tries to stay invisible by passing itself off as normal and universal'- John Price 2003 page 115 AS media studies. ORIGIN- What a man's gotta do, Paladin 1986
'The association of male value with aggression, dominance, and power is one of the most destructive forces in the world.' thefedralist.com, Masculinity is about dominance and that's a good thing, George Fields, August 12 2014
"Labour MP Diane Abbott is not the first person to kick up a fuss about the 'crisis of masculinity'." The Guardian, We need to talk about masculinity, Laurie Penny (Feminist), 16th May 2013
"The concept of 'The new man' set to challenge the preconceived notion about masculinity by aiming new ideals to young middle-class males: Emotional vulnerability, Be more in touch with their feminine side, Treat women as equals, Take pride in their appearance"
Prezi.com, A2 Sociology mass media representations (masculinity), 17 September 2013
2) Outline the typical stereotypes linked to masculinity.
Use facts and examples of the stereotypes
Examples- power (by fighting and being aggressive), Rich with big houses, Serial killers, Manipulative, Serious, Strong, Successful, Like to be in control, Humorous, Enjoy working on cars, Drug users
3) Explore how masculinity is represented and if the stereotypes are reinforced or different within these 3 films.
The Wolf of Wall Street- The ability to teach people things and to be in control of making the business he has one of the best of the lot. He makes himself rich by selling fake stocks to clients and ripping them off and ends up in a mansion with his wife. He is manipulative as he rips off people buying stocks on the phone to make money for his company. Successful for making millions. Abuses drugs by taking what is named as 'ludes' and cocaine almost all the time.
Drive- The driver who the film is based on is a mechanic, Serious throughout the film doesn't speak much and hardly cracks a smile at any point in the film. Shows power by asserting dominance over the men who are trying to go after him who's debt is on the family he is friends with. Kills multiple people; drowning, beat to death, drove into side of car to knock it off the side of a bridge.
The Silence of the Lambs- The power is shown by two characters, Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill, by Hannibal as even if when he is in prison he always seems like he is in control of the prison guards and that they fear him and Buffalo Bill shows his power by kidnapping Catherine Martin and keeping her at the bottom of a hole and winding her up. The serial Killers is both Buffalo Bill who decapitates his victims and Hannibal who eats the body parts of the people he kills. Enigma code that Hannibal is manipulative as he seems to have control over prison guards and over many people. Clarice and Hannibal are both serious characters. Clarice is serious throughout her investigation of Hannibal and Hannibal is serious at all times especially when talking to Clarice although he seemingly seems to relax more around her than anyone else. Hannibal and Buffalo Bill both like to be in control.
Different stereotypes represented within all of the films.
4) Representations that are shown within the three films that keep continuously come up.
All three films show that males like to be in control and like to show power. More similarities between Drive and Silence of the Lambs as they are both much similar crime films whereas Wolf of Wall Street shows different stereotypes that may not be shown in the other crime film.
5) Discuss the films and what stereotypes are represented in each one and how they're represented within the films.
Drive (2011)- Uses phrase "Do you understand" often, Stuntman and getaway driver gets in trouble trying to help neighbour out. Driver gets to know the family but helps people commit robberies by driving them away once they have committed crime. Gets a bag full of money that belongs to the people who forced the father in the family to rob it and resulted in his death. Shows dominance by defending himself, kills people along the way and gives the people a ultimatum which causes them to go after him. Ends up meeting to give money back gets attacked but ends up killing the man and drives off in the distance. Also kills main culprit by drowning him in the sea after driving into the side of his car off a cliff after spinning it off the road prior.
Stereotypes- Enjoy working on cars, serious, Power, Serial killer, Strong,
Stereotypes- Power, Rich with big houses, Manipulative, Successful, In control, Humorous, Drug users.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)- A young F.B.I. must confide in a manipulative killer to receive help on catching anther killer who skins his victims.
Stereotypes- Sense of entitlement, power, serial killer, Manipulative, serious, strong, In control.
Against stereotype- Buffalo Bill dressing up as a woman. Goes against the usual stereotype. This is where to begin to discuss deviating against the norm of masculinity rather than everyone being the same.
6) Evaluate all the sources which I used
Discuss
Use when nearing conclusion- The media can sometimes be biased but the amount the knowledge that people get from the media is a lot more than they used to get and people can be tricked into believing something which is all over the media which may not well be the case.
more modern representations of masculinity as a counter argument. Dianne Abbot quote looks to be on these lines but I think you need to delve into metrosexuality and "queer theory" a little more
Some nice research here Alex. Good detail and plenty of references to the topic are plentiful throughout the research you have done. A good choice of primary and secondary research but I do feel that your findings such as they are are a little one dimensional and that you need to cover the alternative, more modern representations of masculinity as a counter argument. the Dianne Abbot quote looks to be on these lines but I think you need to delve into metrosexuality and "queer theory" a little more.
ReplyDeleteGood discussions though Alex and I look forward to reading your study.