The document summarizes Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze theory, which argues that in film, the camera lens represents a masculine perspective that objectifies female characters. According to the theory, women are portrayed as passive objects for the male characters and audience to admire based on their physical appearance rather than as active subjects. This denies women their humanity and restricts them to stereotypical roles like victims. The male gaze asserts control over the female form and pushes the narrative forward, while women slow it down as inspirations for men to act.

1. LUARA MULVEY
THE MALE GAZE THEORY

2.  Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema was an essay written by Laura Mulvey, from
which the theory originates.
 An essay which coined the term “Male Gaze” which soon went on to become a
very
 well know and discussed theory
 In film, the male gaze occurs when the audience is put into the perspective of a
heterosexual man. A scene may focus on the curves of a woman's body, putting
you the viewer in the eyes of a male.
 According to the male gaze theory these ‘Curves’ are highlighted with specific
conventions; Sow motion, Camera Movement etc.

3.  The theory suggests that the male gaze denies women human identity,
relegating them to the status of objects to be admired for physical appearance.
 The theory suggests woman can more often than not only watch a film from a
secondary perspective and only view themselves from a mans perspective.
 Females are often relegated to stereotypes like the ‘Dumb Hot One’ or often
portrayed as the victim.
 Often a female character has no real importance herself, it is how she makes
the male feel or act that is the importance.
 The female only exist in relation to the male

4. Mulvey states that the role of a female character in a narrative has two
1.As an erotic object for the characters within the narrative to view
2.As an erotic object for the spectators within the cinema to view

5. The characters that look at others are seen as the active role (male)
The characters that are to be looked at are passive (female) They are
under control of the males gaze and only exist for visual pleasure.
Females often slow the narrative down, they act as inspiration for
men to act.
Males on the other hand, push the narrative forwards and make
things happen and are seen as active

6.  Women are often treated as objectified characters are devalued and their
humanity removed.
 Animation, comedy, drama, heimat, and romance were considered “female”
genres,
 action, adventure, erotic, fantasy, history, horror, science fiction, thriller, war, and
Western were considered “male” genres.
 Females are usually shown with domestic work or as housewives, with them
mostly being easy and timid.
 Men are shown doing hard tasks, as independent. With them mostly being
confident and brave.

7. The bond films are notorious for sexualizing females and using them
only as a reward for the protagonist at the end of his quest.
In this scene the first time the character of ‘jinx’ is shown she is a bathing suit and the
entire focus is shifted on her looks. Bond even says “ Magnificent View” referring to
‘jinx’ instead of the landscape.