Male Gaze and Patriarchy

Rowan Hessen
Professor Cacoilo
Art and Women
February 11, 2020

Patriarchy and the Male Gaze

      As a woman patriarchy and the male gaze has always been very prevalent in my life. It affects me in so many ways, some I do not even realize how. Throughout the two readings of “Ways of Seeing” by John Berger and “Understanding Patriarchy” by Bell Hooks, it has given me a wider understanding of the two topics. Throughout John Berger’s writing, he explores the male gaze and the effect that it has on women. It is shown through not only our pop culture but artworks that are so beloved by millions. On the other hand, Bell Hooks covers patriarchy and its negative effects on both men and women.
    As described by Berger, the male gaze is the depiction of women in art, media, literature, the world, etc., that turns them into sexualized objects and for the pleasure of men. Women are no longer deemed as individuals but rather as eye candy to be looked at and judged. Berger continues to explain the outcome of the male gaze: “how a woman appears to a man can determine how she will be treated” (Berger 46). It is sad that the way a person looks can determine how people believe who you are. If a woman dresses modestly they could be called a “prude” but if they were to be dressed sexily they would most likely be called a “slut”. Since the male gaze exists “a woman must continually watch herself. She is almost continually accompanied by her own image of herself” (Berger 46). This is something that really stuck with me during the whole reading, the fact that women will watch themselves to make sure they fit into the pleasure of others, and inevitably themselves. I can relate to this very much because I tend to make sure if I am walking, eating, or even talking the “correct way”. All of these “correct ways” are manners that I was taught for the comfort of men.
    The male gaze is pervasive in art and in popular culture because it uses sex appeal and made for the male eye. In pop culture we see the use of the male gaze in our television, social media, movies, magazines, and so much more. However, what sticks out to me the most are the advertisements. There are many advertisements that turn women into sexual objects and men into leaders. A very controversial one is a 2007 Dolce & Gabbana perfume ad:

Dolce & Gabbana, 2007

The ad shows a woman being pushed to the ground by a man, with three other men surrounding them and staring at them. The woman looks helpless and seems to be unable to do anything. This ad is supposed to fill the desire of ownership and submissive women, and it promotes very violent and aggressive actions towards women. This ad You can read more about the controversial Dolce & Gabanna ads here.

     The “Venus and Cupid” painting of Nell Gwynne, the mistress King Charles II, is a clear example of the male gaze in use. Gwynne stares at the spectators submissively, which pleases the King. She has no stopping the spectators looking at her body the King even “demonstrated this submission and his guests envied him” (Beger 52). This proves that this painting was for the male eye to, to please their pleasures. The King uses art to show off what he "owns" and flaunts off someone else's naked body, that is being gaped on, to fulfill his desires and ego.

"Venus and Cupid" by Sir Peter Lely

     According to Bell Hooks patriarchy is a system where men hold power and women stay passive. Hooks specifically describes patriarchy as a "political-social system that insists that males are inherently dominating... and everyone deemed weak, especially females, and endowed with the right to dominate and rule over the weak and to maintain that dominance through various forms of psychological terrorism and violence" (Hooks 18). Patriarchy is the main construct in many places such as work, home, and school and us heavily practiced worldwide. Patriarchy has many negative effects though. It allows women to be looked down upon and fit into submissive roles while making men suppress their feelings. An example of patriarchy used in the text is when Hooks was playing marbles with her brother, however, her father stopped her from playing and even manipulating her brother to say "that 'girls did not play with marbles,' that it was a boy's game" (Hooks 20). Playing marbles is not what a girl is fit to do in patriarchy, it is aggressive and a girl should never be aggressive. This also shows that sexism is taught, not embedded in us. Later on in Hooks’ essay, she gives us another example of how patriarchy affects others, except this time it shows how it negatively affects men and boys. In Terrance Real’s writing he touched upon how his sons activity of dressing up was out to an end: "A ten-second wordless transaction was powerful enough to dissuade my son from that instant forward from had been a favorite activity" (Hooks 22). A young boy can not enjoy the things he does, his like Hooks, because it is not a part of his gender role. A simple look has changed a youn boys entire way of life. 

     An argument that can be brought up from the male gaze and patriarchy is the objectification of women in cinema. I have watched too many movies growing up that have women dressed in tight short shorts and crop tops while fighting bad guys. There are a lot of female roles whose sole purpose is to be the “hot chick” and the desire for the main character. A good example is the 2007 film “Transformers”. Megan Fox played a teenage girl who was being fantasized and gaped by every male character. There are so many shots of her body and gross innuendos. Fox even speaks on how she was directed to just be sexy in the film here. When will the film industry portray women as leaders and fighters instead of conquests? 

"Transformers", 2007 

     Thanks to the readings I have understood what patriarchy and male gaze actually are. Patriarchy is not just a disadvantage to women but also to men. I also began to understand that the men who catcall me on the streets is not my fault. I began to understand more that I do not have to change myself in order to stop them from doing so, because sadly they will never stop bothering women. However, it is in my hands to not let them stop me no matter what they think of me.

References

Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. British Broadcasting Corporation, 1972.
Edwards, Jim. “Calvin Klein's ‘Rape’ Ad Isn't Unique: How Treating Women Badly Sells Clothes.”         CBS News, CBS Interactive, 26 Apr. 2011, www.cbsnews.com/news/calvin-kleins-rape-ad-isnt-         unique-how-treating-women-badly-sells-clothes/
Hooks, Bell. The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. Washington Square Press, 2005.
Miller, Julie. “Why Megan Fox Isn't Sharing Her #MeToo Stories.” Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair, 11 Dec.       2018, www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/12/megan-fox-transformers-me-too.