To what extent does the representation of masculinity in the Dark Knight rises reinforce or challenge gender stereotypes?
Both Batman and bane conform to the hyper masculine idea, shown through the shots of them working out and close-ups of their masculine physique. They embody an extreme and excessive version of masculinity in which stereotypically masculine traits are shown in exaggerate form. These traits are clearly displayed in the scenes which they fight on another, as there is a focus on the stereotypically masculine traits of power/masculine strength, muscles, toughness and resilience/endurance. This is shown when Batman/Bruce Wane is working out in the jail. And Bane's clothing that reinforces the hyper masculine idea. Bane is filmed from a low angle in order to make him more opposing, as his body fills most of the frame and to show his power/authority over other characters. there are numerous shots that accentuate Banes physical size to add emphasis on his hyper masculinity. Challenging representations of masculinity. The film does not always provide 'physical perfection' or 'forever youthful' representations. Often we see the superhero body to be in a state of decline and despair. Bruce Wayne walks with the aid of a stick and in the scene when he visits the doctor quotes such as: "there is no cartilage in your knee" "There is residual concussive damage to your brain tissue" "general scarred-over quality of your body" challenges the physical hyperbolic convention of masculinity within the superhero genre. Bane was injured during his youth. One of the fundamental things about his costume is that he has this scar from the back injury. His mask supplies him with a painkilling gas that he breathes in constantly to suppress chronic pain from a past injury. How are females represented in the Dark Knight Rises? Women suffer from “Women in Refrigerator syndrome.” Meaning, a woman needs to be cut, killed, kidnapped, tortured, or raped in order to give angst to the hero to fulfill his ‘destiny.’ So the woman, in herself, does not represent a purpose. She needs to be used or sacrificed by the comic book writers in order to give depth, revenge, or angst to the superhero. For example, Rachel Dawes is killed by the Joker in the Dark Knight Rises— so Nolan essentially creates a character, develops a relationship between her and Batman, only to get killed by a maniac. Does the male gaze theory in cinematic studies help us understand something? Yes, it does. The Male Gaze is a Feminist theory that was first developed by Laura Mulvey in 1975. The male gaze occurs when the audience, or viewer, is put into the perspective of a heterosexual male. Mulvey stressed that the dominant male gaze in mainstream Hollywood films reflects and satisfies the male unconscious: most filmmakers are male, thus the voyeuristic gaze of the camera is male; male characters in the film’s narratives make women the objects of their gaze; and inevitably, the spectator’s gaze reflects the voyeuristic male gazes of the camera and the male actors. Most of the film credits have females such as Gordon’s daughter named “Gordon’s daughter” (not important enough to have a name) whereas Gordon’s son is named “Jonathan” (important enough to have a name). Which film is this most applicable to? In my opinion the genre narrative and representation applies mostly to the batman film because it portrays the genre and narrative clearly. You can tell this because of the way the film is set (the location, colour scheme and the way the actor is portrayed). Another obvious thing for this film following its genre is the fact that the main character is a super hero and the genre of the film is superhero, action and adventure. Comments are closed.
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Charlie EdmundsCreative Media Level 3 Student. Categories
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