TASK 11

Laura mulvey’s visual pleasures and narrative cinema summary
Mulvey uses her psychoanalytic approach to uncover the patriarchal codes and ideologies of the sex object stereotype of women. (Phallocentric ideology-where a male dominance is recognized and makes his sex desires and needs a priority). Castration anxiety is also referred to, as she talks about how the media represents women in order for men not feel better about them. The media satisfies and reinforces the masculine ego and represses the desire of women.

Mulvey states two types of viewing fetishistic and voyeuristic, in which both of them the audience is expected to be male therefore in order to create a heterosexual viewing, women will be portrayed as sex objects to please the audience…the male audience.

She refers to lacan’s work in order to try explaining the narcissistic pleasures in viewing. The audience places themselves as the characters and have some sort of pleasure enforced…e.g. James bond allows many men narcissistic pleasure as they substitute themselves for James bond and create their own individual pleasure out of the media text. The screen acts like a mirror for the male dominated audience.

The male gaze is active and the female gaze is passive. Women, in the world of images, are displayed as sexual objects. Women were portrayed at 2 levels,

1. as erotic object for male characters in the screen story,

2. as an erotic object for the spectator in the auditorium

The activity/passivity of the audiences affects the narratives of the media texts, so male characters are shown to be more active and dominant in the media, and are shown as undefeated in order for the audience to relate to the character and enjoy their narcissistic pleasure. Mulvey says that "the power of the male protagonist as he controls events coincides with the active power of the erotic look both giving a satisfying sense of omnipotence."

Sadistic viewing is stated for film noir. Men blame the femme fatale for the passive thinking of the male characters

How Mulvey is relevant to my study

Laura Mulvey theory is directly relevant to my study as I am focusing on the representation of women in CSI…the media.

Mulvey’s study relates to Freud’s work, about scopophilia, and directly focuses on the objectification of women for the male gaze. She also refers to Jacques lacans work. There are 2 women in CSI and one is portrayed with more masculine qualities whereas the other has more feminine qualities this is portrayed through their costume props etc.

Catherine willows are constantly referred to by colleagues and criminals in ways which connote a sexual innuendo. The directors have probably used this characterization to their advantage, showing they can portray a successful strong independent woman doing her job and having no sexual blatant interests (Sara sidle) but do the complete opposite with Catherine. Mulvey’s theory alongside Freud’s can be used for many points in my argument within my essay, Mulvey’s findings can make my proposal stronger and allows me to back up my points heavily with a lot of proof.

A few episodes starred a certain woman (Heather) and she was represented as a paid dominatrix. Even though her role allowed her to be dominant over many men, she was still paid, and therefore in and under control of a man. The way she is dressed allows a voyeuristic viewing and fulfills the male gaze within the audience