The document discusses the character of Marla from the film. It notes that Marla is the only female character in the film and analyzes why the filmmakers chose to only include one female. The document suggests it was to keep the focus on the male relationships and how they respond to each other. It also notes that the complicated way the male character Tyler reacts to Marla can be highlighted by only having her as the sole female character.

2. Marla
 The only female in the film is Marla:
 Why do you think the film makers have chosen to only
use one female?

3. Why only one female?
 The film makers have decided to use only one female
to keep the focus on male relationships and they way
in which they respond to each other.
 The complicated way in which Tyler react to Marla can
be highlighted

4. What is a typical female in film
like?
 Write down as many examples of female characters in
films as you can think of:

5. Females in Films
 What is the stereotypical female like in a
action/thriller film?
 What would they be dressed like?
 Camera angles?
 Movement?

7. Marla
How is Maria portrayed?

8.  Is the representation of Maria different to that of other
female characters?

9.  Marla represents both desire and destruction in the
film.
 What moments can you identify as examples of desire
or destruction or both?

10.  How do you think the audience are meant to feel
towards Marla?
 Why do you think that they have shown Maria in the
way?
 What is Marla’s role in the film?
 “and the whole story is about a man reaching a
point where a man can commit to loving a
woman”

11. Quote!
 “Marla’s femininity and the Narrator’s masculinity are
dependent on that of each other. Jack cannot be
masculine while Marla exhibits masculine traits. Marla
cannot be feminine while the Narrator exhibits overly
feminine traits”
 What do you think this quote means?

12. Marla
 Marla is not seen as positive but rather as being
manipulative and unstable.
 Is this a reflection of how females are viewed in society
– could this link with the emasculation of men?

13. Essay Question
 Essay Question –
“Somehow I realise all of this – the gun – the bombs the
revolution - is all about Marla Singer”- Narrator
How far do you concur with this opinion?