Laura Mulvey Theory

Laura Mulvey's theory ' The Male Gaze' suggests that the camera/audience always represent a heterosexual man's perspective of the scene objectifying women. Mulvey states that women are typically the objects, rather than the possessor, of gaze because the camera is controlled by the assumptions of a man’s point of view.

The perspective of women through a man's eyes has changed in many ways over the past few years for instance before men used to admire a females natural beauty as for now, for instance a man’s eyes linger over the curves of a women's body. In the recent music videos this can be shown clearly for example Robin Thicke's `Blurred Lines' has been creating controversies where University of Bolton student union has banned the song becoming the sixth to do so due to its references to sexism and non-consensual sex. 'Blurred Lines' is an example to a heterosexual male’s perspective as the music video itself and the lyrics are from a man’s perspective.

 

 

Laura Mulvey's also states that in music videos women are portrayed only in two ways these include 'virginal innocent character' or the sexy 'whore' she calls these to perspective the 'virgin/whore dichotomy'. The first music video is by Nicki Minaj, as Laura Mulvey's theory would say she is portrayed as sexy 'whore' character whereas the second video is by Taylor Swift is portrayed as the 'virginal innocent character'. Identifying the sexy 'whore' in a music video, it is normally suggested through their character in the music video as you can see in the first video the artist is wearing tight clothing that emphasises their curvy bodies and also very revealing in some areas. Whereas identifying the innocent character in the second video you can see the artist is wearing clothes that are more lady like and covered up. Laura Mulvey disagrees with the interpretations of women as it conveys women to look at themselves through the eyes of men and instead of having to try to fit into the male gaze ideology they should have their own individual image.