Yerines Suriel-Baez
The Male Gaze
10 Feb 2020
The Male Gaze
Historically women have always been depicted as a form of art. However, this form of art is most certainly made to represent pleasure for the viewer. The heterosexual male, referred to as the spectator never fails to portray the women as an object, whose main purpose is to please the viewers. In John Berger’s book, Way of Seeing, it is made obvious that this concept is deeply rooted in all aspects of life, expanding further than just art. Berger refers to this concept as the male gaze. He explains that the male gaze is a point of view that is always controlled and created by the male. Since the male is always projected to be the superior gender, only he has the power to control everything, thus, purposely portraying women in an objective mannerism for his benefit. By doing so, the male, along with the audience can experience sexual pleasure and gratification. Because males always find it necessary to exceed their dominance, it is without a doubt that they will utilize their power to continuously project the notion that women are merely just objects. The male gaze cripples’ women from having a voice, silencing them for projecting characteristics aside from their physique. This eludes to the idea that the only perspective that will ever matter is that of a male, regardless if women suffer silently as their identity is misrepresented.As Berger integrates nudity into the topic of the male gaze, he makes it clear that women do not have the liberty to express themselves in their pose. Instead, the male gaze uses their nudity to position the subject in the most submissive way on their demands. He states, “To be nude is to be seen by others and yet not recognize oneself. A naked body has to be seen as an object in order to become nude. (The sight of it as an object stimulates the use of it as an object.) Nakedness reveals itself. Nudity is placed on display” (Berger, 54). It is evident that the concept of being objectified is equivalent to being displayed in a submissive role, in order to achieve sexual provocation.
Additionally, other than how women are positioned, the minute details also attribute to the male gaze. For example, Berger states, “Hair is associated with sexual power, with passion. The women’s sexual passion needs to be minimized so that the spectator may feel that he has the monopoly of such passion” (Berger, 55). It becomes clear the male utilizes his powers to strip the women of what is naturally theirs. To serve as a passionate being for spectators is to be manipulated, as they are not deemed worthy enough, nor given the liberty to decide how they can be represented. Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot exemplifies this in his oil painting of Marietta. Through Corot’s male gaze, Marietta is portrayed with a provocative look, as her body is positioned naked in a submissive manner, it is also noticed that she is completely hairless.
This contradicts the representation of the female gaze, which has been contemporarily constructed on the theory of the male gaze. Although the controversial topic of its existence has sprung, over time it has become evidently present within films. A New York Vulture article, How Do We Define the Female Gaze in 2018? describes the difference. Author Tori Telfer remarks that while the male gaze is responsible for exerting their dominance, the female gaze constructs a maternal approach that is more emotional and empathetic. However, it is possible for the female gaze to also uphold objectifying characteristics, sexualizing a man’s body.
The ideology of the male gaze is vastly represented not only in art but also in popular culture and controls how the viewers engage with visual media, bring to light the existence of masculine voyeurism. Additionally, it also supports a patriarchal status quo, a system integrated within a society, in which only men hold the power to control everything. In Understanding Patriarchy, Bell Hooks includes psychotherapist John Bradshaw’s interpretation of patriotism, noting that “blind obedience [is] the foundation which patriarchy stands” (Hooks, 23). Patriarchy creates blind obedience that shapes the structure of every aspect that exists within society. For example, it affects education, politics, parenting and the way that an individual thinks and the actions of their lifestyle.
Unfortunately, because patriarchy has made such an influence on humanity, it has taken control over independent thoughts, forcing many to consider it as the norm, and thus becoming implanted as an obstacle to rebel against. It is clear the power of patriarchy is constructed on the essence of ignorance since it is accepted even when the ideologies of its existence are not understood. This is exemplified over the life Hooks’ as she and her brother struggled with excepting the patriarchal gender roles implemented by their parents. Hooks recalls: “As their daughter, I was taught that it was my role to serve, to be weak, to be free from the burden of thinking, to caretake and nurture others. My brother was taught that it was his role to be served; to provide; to be strong; to think, strategize, and plan; and refuse to caretake to nurture others” (Hooks, 18). Aside from being forced to fulfill gender role norms, patriarchy is also exemplified in the control it has over the expression of their feelings and the way it controls the values of their culture and attitudes of family origin. Such teachings were reinforced simply because it seemed like a natural way to orient themselves to their life.
Through the lens of media, I have come to understand patriarchy as a toxic system, existing everywhere, utilized as an excuse for males to exert their power and for many to fear rebellion. In relation to the male gaze, patriarchy grants males the power to approach the world in an objectifying manner that would benefit them. The male is usually represented as the most dominating gender, while constantly representing women in an objective inferior manner by sexualizing them.
For example, in Incredibles 2, viewers realize that Elastigirl’s body had been modified from thin to thick, in order to fulfill a sex appeal as an attractive woman due to her dimension. From the new shape, many wondered whether her dimensions diminished her superhero powers.
In another instance, when analyzing comics and video games, Cat woman’s image is repeatedly altered. In order to constantly suit a more seductive appearance, her outfit becomes more revealing as her breast and lower torso are enhanced.
Citations:
Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. British Broadcasting Corporation, 1972.
Ennis, Tricia. “Tim Hanley on His New Book, Catwoman, and Why the Boys Shouldn't
Have All the Fun.” SYFY WIRE, SYFY WIRE, 3 Sept. 2019, www.syfy.com/syfy
wire/tim-hanley-on-his-new-book-catwoman-and-why-the-boys-shouldnt-
have-all-the-fun
Hooks, Bell. The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. Washington Square
Press, 2005.
Mallenbaum, Carly. “'Incredibles 2' Star Elastigirl Is 'Thicc': Why That's a Good Thing.”
USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 26 June 2018,www.usatoday.
com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/06/21/incredibles-2-elastigirl-thicc/716294002/.
“Marietta, or Roman Odalisque.” Petit Palais, 22 Jan. 2019, www.petitpalais.paris.
fr/en/oeuvre/marietta-or-roman-odalisque.
Telfer, Tori. “How Do We Define the Female Gaze in 2018?” Vulture, Vulture, 2
Aug.2018, www.vulture.com/2018/08/how-do-we-define-the-female-gaze-in-2018.html.
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