Part One:

Laura Mulvey’s theory essentially states that men are the ones who are able to look and women are what men are looking at. In other words, Mulvey defines men as those who are looking, and women as those that are being looked upon. The very first shot taken in the opening scene of Rear Window shows a woman in only her bra and underwear. The scene continues to film the woman as she bends over with her butt facing the camera, and then the woman lifts her leg up onto the counter in a “sexy’ manner. For me it is ever so clear that this fits into Laura Mulvey’s theory. What is the point of this scene other than to gain the attention/gaze of men? Mulvey believes that classic films are a “corrupt pleasure”, and that these traditional films are often centered around sexism and the objectification of women. We can see more examples of this in the “Caught Snooping” scene where the woman is being bothered/assaulted by the man. In traditional films such as these you would not see the women abusing the man, and you still wouldn’t in today’s age. This goes to show the “abusive version of masculine heterosexuality”. Not only does the man think he can do as he pleases with the women, but the basis on this belief is that the woman herself is property and because she is property the man can do as he wishes. We can also slightly see this in the opening scene of Psycho where it seems that all the man really wants is sex and not a heartfelt relationship. Although the man does seem to have feelings for the woman, when she suggests that their relationship be respectable he agrees but quickly reminds the woman of what he wants.

Part Two: QCQ

Quote: “I suddenly became a woman looking at films which I’d loved and now began to irritate me.” (15:13)

Comment(s): After Mulvey was done finishing this sentence the audience laughed collectively. Although many found this funny, if you really think about it, it’s kind of sad. Mulvey obviously had a love for films, and after realizing that each and every film was essentially made just to entertain men she lost love for them. She even stated in the video that she became detached from the movie and the story behind it. Everything was just about having a good looking woman on screen.

Question(s): Laura Mulvey presents a huge realization not only into the film industry, but as females are portrayed as a whole. She claims her essay is a “document of its time” so that makes me wonder what the essay would entail if it were written today. It makes me wonder if the essay would be entirely similar, or have some differences, or maybe many differences?