Summary of Mulvey

Mulvey argued that in the classical Hollywood narrative the spectator is constructed as male. Over the history of history of Hollywood films the hero/central character have been predominantly male and female characters have sufficed as characters just to be looked at or be saved. Mulvey argued that this representation of men and women is the result of complex (male) fears revolving around castration anxiety (which as Freud stated is unconscious). The result of castration anxiety means that men are unable to feel sexually aroused by a woman without the processes of fetishization or objectification. Narcissism allows the male spectator to identify with the male character on stage who represents the ideal. The 'male gaze' theory is a coherent explanation for the dominating subordinate female roles in films, yet attitudes to women have changed and although film has not been so quick to reflect these films such as Alien and Tomb Raider have.

How Mulvey's theory links to my study:

-Narcissism : Male spectator receives narcissistic pleasure through identifying with the 'ideal' physical appeal of character Troy.
-Spectator: 'HSM' questions the validity of the dominant 'male spectator' position outlined by Mulvey. Although the film is not explicitly sexual the female spectators and male spectators alike are encouraged to see the opposite sex as an object of desire.
-Roles: More of an equal role between the male and female characters *not patriarchal*
Although, in 'Grease' there is a slightly larger emphasis on the spectator being male