Book 1
Goddard, Kevin. „Looks Maketh the Man“: The Female Gaze and the Construction of Masculinity. In: The Journal of Men’s Studies (2000)
Overview: The article explores how the concept of the female gaze redefines masculinity and its representation in media. Goddard examines how men are increasingly subject to objectification, traditionally reserved for women, and how this shift affects societal norms and expectations of masculinity.
Important Headlines/Chapters:
- Introduction
- Theoretical framework
- Analysis of media examples
- Implications on masculinity
- Conclusion
Questions:
- What is Goddard’s main argument about the impact of the female gaze on masculinity ?
- How does the female gaze differ from the male gaze?
- What evidence does Goddard provide to show how men are perceived in media ?
- How does the female gaze affect gender roles in society?
- What conclusions does Goddard draw about the implications of these shifts in media ?
Read:
While reading the text I came across these anwers:
Goddard argues that the female gaze does not simply reverse the dynamics of the male gaze but instead introduces a nuanced perspective on masculinity.
- He provides examples from advertisements and popular media.
- The female gaze impacts men by placing new aesthetic pressures on them.
- This shift has broader cultural implications, as it challenges the idea that only women are subjected to the pressures of physical appearance.
Recite:
The article delves into how the female gaze influences modern representations of masculinity. Goddard argues that the objectification of men in visual culture reflects changing gender dynamics, where both men and women are subject to aesthetic pressures. This shift challenges traditional gender norms by presenting masculinity as an idealized, consumable image.
Review:
- What is Goddard’s main argument about the female gaze?
- The female gaze reconfigures masculinity by introducing new expectations of physical attractiveness and objectification.
- How does the female gaze differ from the male gaze?
- While the male gaze is often about power and control, the female gaze focuses on aesthetics and desire without necessarily aiming to dominate.
- What examples does Goddard give?
- Goddard discusses advertisements and film scenes where men are depicted as objects of desire, highlighting the shift in how masculinity is portrayed.
- What effect does this have on gender roles?
- It complicates the concept of masculinity by introducing traditionally associated with femininity.
- What can be concluded?
- The article concludes that both the male and female gazes contribute to the construction of social expectations around gender, indicating that objectification is not limited to women.
Kevin Goddard is considered an expert in the field, particularly in the areas of media studies, gender studies, and the sociology of masculinity.
Structure: The structure of Kevin Goddard’s article is clear and logical, with a well-organized flow that guides the reader through complex ideas. It begins with an introduction to the concept of the female gaze, followed by a detailed analysis of how masculinity is constructed and perceived in media.
Quality of Content: The content is of high quality, demonstrating a deep engagement with both feminist theory and masculinity studies. Goddard effectively integrates theoretical perspectives with concrete examples, making the arguments compelling and well-supported. He draws on established scholars like Laura Mulvey while also contributing his own insights, adding value to ongoing academic discussions.
Style: The writing style is scholarly yet accessible, striking a balance between theoretical depth and readability. Goddard uses precise language, avoiding overly complex jargon, which helps to communicate ideas in a way that is understandable to readers who may not be specialists in gender studies. However, at times, the theoretical explanations may require a re-reading to fully grasp his point.
Is it useful for me?
Yes, Kevin Goddard’s article, „Looks Maketh the Man: The Female Gaze and the Construction of Masculinity,“ is very useful for my purposes, particularly in exploring how gendered gazes function to shape societal perceptions of masculinity and power dynamics. The sections that delve into the female gaze and its impact on the portrayal of men in media are especially relevant for my research.
Additionally, while the article effectively discusses the construction of masculinity, it lacks a deeper analysis of intersectionality, such as how race, class, or sexuality might alter these representations.
Book 2
Malone, Alicia: The Female Gaze. Essential Movies Made by Women.Mango Publishing: Florida 2018, E-Book
Overview:
The book, published in 2018, offers an in-depth exploration of movies directed by women and how they embody the „female gaze“ in contrast to traditional cinematic portrayals shaped by the male gaze. Malone highlights key films made by women and discusses how they shape the portrayal of women, the male characters, and the entire narrative.
Question:
- What is the „female gaze“ in cinema, and how is it defined in the context of this book?
- How does the female gaze challenge traditional portrayals of women in film?
- How does the book connect the feminist movement to the evolution of film by women?
Read:
While reading the book, I focus on sections that explore key films and directors, noting how the book links the cultural and historical context of feminist movements with the films. The sections addressing the treatment of gender and the role of women in these films are particularly valuable for understanding how the female gaze differs from the traditional male gaze.
Recite:
- The „female gaze“ is a concept where films directed by women bring new perspectives on narrative, power dynamics, and gender roles. The book highlights how women directors challenge stereotypical female roles and portray men in more nuanced ways.
- Essential films discussed include works by directors like Kathryn Bigelow, Greta Gerwig, and Jane Campion, showcasing how their films provide alternative portrayals of women’s experiences.
- The book argues that the emergence of female filmmakers and their unique storytelling approach has created space for a broader, more inclusive definition of masculinity, femininity, and sexuality.
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Review:
The book is well-structured with a clear narrative that moves from the historical context of women’s involvement in film to analyzing specific films that exemplify the female gaze. It organizes the films into categories based on themes like female empowerment, complex masculinity, and romantic relationships.
Malone provides insightful commentary, but some sections could benefit from deeper theoretical analysis. While the inclusion of specific films is valuable, a more expansive exploration of intersectionality—particularly with race, class, and sexuality—would have enriched the discussion.
Malone’s writing style is accessible and engaging, making complex feminist film theory approachable for a broad audience. However, the tone sometimes feels more like a general overview rather than a academic critique.
Evaluation:
The book is useful for my thesis because it’s exploring how women directors challenge traditional gender roles and how these films offer new ways of looking at masculinity and femininity. It provides a good introduction to the female gaze in film.
Alicia Malone is a well-known film critic, author, and host, particularly recognized for her work in promoting women filmmakers and advocating for a more inclusive representation of gender in cinema. She has written several books on film and women in cinema, and she frequently appears as a presenter and commentator on film-related topics. While Malone may not have the academic credentials typically associated with „experts“ in the field, she is certainly an established authority in the world of film criticism.
The structure of The Female Gaze: Essential Movies Made by Women by Alicia Malone is clear, well-organized, and accessible. The chapters are arranged around a series of essays, and each section explores specific films or movements, providing both analysis and context. However, the book is more of a survey and celebration of films, rather than a deeply academic or theoretical examination of the female gaze.
Is it useful for me?
Yes, The Female Gaze: Essential Movies Made by Women by Alicia Malone is useful for my purposes. The book highlights the significant contributions of women filmmakers, which aligns with my interest in how female perspectives and narratives are represented in cinema.
It helps to contextualize and define what constitutes the female gaze as distinct from the male gaze, showing how women filmmakers challenge traditional gender dynamics and representation in cinema. The chapters that discuss the historical context of women in filmmaking, as well as the impact of feminist movements on cinema, are also quite relevant. However, while the book does a great job of introducing films and filmmakers, it lacks a deeper theoretical exploration of the „female gaze.“ It focuses more on film analysis and less on the cultural, social, or academic frameworks that underlie the concept.
