REPRESENTATION

INVESTIGATIONTheoretical Research

WHAT IS REPRESENTATION? Representation refers to the construction in any medium

(especially the mass media) of aspects of 'reality' such as people, places, objects, events, cultural identities and other abstract concepts. Such representations may be in speech or writing as well as still or moving pictures. Representation can be viewed as stereotypical within some groups. For example saying that all women are weak is the representation which can be dealt with in the wrong way.

REPRESENTATION THEORISTS Laura Mulvey: argued that the dominant point of view is masculine. She

believed that the female body is displayed for the male gaze in order to provide erotic pleasure for the male. She was a representation theorist who said that women are objectified by the camera lens and whatever gender the spectator/audience is positioned to accept the masculine point of view. (Male Gaze)

John Berger: said “Men act and women appear”. “Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at”. He believed that women are there to benefit the man and the man is always more dominant. “Women are aware of being seen by a male spectator”.

Branston and Stafford: state that there are characteristics to representation. - A categorising and evaluation of the group being stereotyped.- Emphasise on specific features which are easily recognised by the audience for them to draw the conclusion of the represented group.- The evaluation is often but not always a negative one.

HOW CAN THESE THEORISTS LINK TO THE HORROR GENRE? Representation can link to the horror genre in many different

ways. Women are represented as weak and vulnerable and this is seen to be taken advantage of in horror films. Although many horror films are now challenging this representation of women and making the woman the last one to survive to overcome the villain. Some films are even creating the villain to be female. For example, ‘I Spit On Your Grave’ and ‘Jennifer’s Body’.

The horror genre and Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory are strongly linked. For example, in ‘I Spit On Your Grave’ the female is taken advantage of as we watch through the male’s perception. This makes the audience believe she is weak and vulnerable, however this is challenged when she fights back and takes control.