Feminist Theory

1)The article focuses on a period drama aired in America called "Pan Am" and the music video for the Beyonce song "Why Don't You Love Me."

2)This idea mentioned is that the females in both texts are for men to look at, linking to the idea that sex sells. An example of which in the first media text is through a magazine cover, which display the main character, "Laura," as a stewardess in tight but suggestive clothing. Also, it highlights the fact the the pilots and stewards would stay in expensive and luxurious hotel, which to an extent may not as true to this day, potentially giving the counter hegemonic reading that the representation of pilot and in flight can crew are inaccurate.

The Beyonce music video refers to the 1950s' typical housewife, who is cleaning and making sure that the house is ready and perfect for the huband, who would be at work, whilst the wife would be at home, looking after the children etc. Of course, this is a misrepresentation of women n the modern era as it i more common for the role of housewife/husband to be hared amongst the parent whilst both maintaining prestigious careers.

3)Thee texts display that there is infarct a need for feminism as both texts are misrepresenting women in a way that wouldn't be dreamed of doing nowadays without receiving bad press, creating a PR nightmare for the producers and workers at the studio.

4)Feminism: A movement aimed at defining, establishing, and defending women's rights and equality to men

Nostalgia: A sentimental long term feeling for the past, often only reminiscing on the positives of that time.

Patriarchy: An ideology that places women above women/ places men in a dominant position.

Male gaze: The idea that women are for men to look at, providing some sort of pleasure. This idea links to the idea that sex sells, and women are normally exploited in order to increase sales, reinforcing this idea.

Music Video Analysis (Why Don't You Love Me- Beyonce)

1) This video reinforces the idea that gender roles are simply put, a performance, due to the fact that constantly throughout this music video, we see Beyonce carrying out various activities that would normally be perceived as a woman's job, some more than others. This reinforces the idea of performances as if someone becomes normalized to these ideas, maybe young children for example,they may see people who are carrying out said activities as women, which could spark a long term misunderstanding of gender etc.

2)This video challenges normal stereotypes, yet reinforces them, a clear example of this is the clip at the beginning when Bey is attempting to repair her car, which in my opinion is oversexualised, challenges the stereotype as mechanical tasks are something which wouldn't normally be carried out by a woman as people, in the era that this video is set in, may have deemed it too difficult for a woman to do. Although, this does reinforce the stereotype as she was unable to complete it.

4)Beyonce does empower women as in this video she stands up to her counterpart, that of which we don't know the gender, promoting self worth to everyone and the fact that everyone should know that they are indeed worth something, rather than just sit around and do nothing. Although, importantly, every time she does try to stand up to her partner, it it safe to assume, she is crying, potentially suggesting weakness in women instead of making a physical change, as a pose to talking and not doing anything about her situation and circumstances.

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