According to the properties linked to scophophilia, a unidentified viewer gets sexual pleasure from a sole form of visual stimuli. This could in tern account for the number of rolls in cinema throughout history and today that objectify women. Women throughout history have held these submissive, passive rolls that leave the viewer to percieve them as creatures of beauty, not of intellect. The film Vertigo is a classic example of how women are objectified and used as sexual objects.
A consequence of such objectification can be the expectancy of schema's in romantic relationships. By watching films like Vertigo, young viewers or those who are inexperienced in such relationships relate what is being perceived on film to their own life, therefore creating a unrealistic expectation of such.
As a overview of this film, I feel that Vertigo entices a unrealistic expectation of women, their rolls in society and their rolls within a relationship. Beauty is portrayed as a major factor connecting it with love and it basically being the major component of Scotty's obsession with Judy, which is very repulsive in my opinion. The submissiveness of Judy's character is also a huge part of the film and how Hitchcock controls his female characters, both Judy and the woman who was Scotty's "friend". All together Alfred Hitchcock's portrayal of his female characters produces a false sense of reality and expectations in women, beauty and romantic relationships as a whole.
4 comments:
I think the both of you are right about how Vertigo and other film paint an unrealistic view of beauty and relationships. However I think there is also some socially accepted norms about our American culture that comes out. Women are told that they can be independent however while in a relationship they are expected to play second fiddle to they male partners and be submissive to his needs. As we see Judy so desperately trying to do.
Seema
I agree that "Beauty is portrayed as a major factor connecting it with love and it basically being the major component of Scotty's obsession with Judy," but it also makes for a very good story. Even if Scottie represents Hitchcock and his twisted ways it also helps in creating a story that pulls in the viewer. It's one thing to watch older, dated films and another to be pulled into them while maybe even being disgusted at the same time. Again, I agree, the way women are portrayed in Hitchcock's films is pretty messed up, but it also makes them great films.
I'm not so sure that this movie actually contributes to unrealistic female roles. I think the things that you find repulsive will be found repulsive to most people. Sometimes the lesson of a film is about what not to do.
I agree that Vertigo displays examples of how women can be objectified. This is espically true in cinema and the male gaze. You also make a good point about unrealistic expectations of the inexpirenced person (in a relationship).
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