Male Gaze Theory

Mulvey's Male gaze- Audience Theory

In 1975 Laura Mulvey suggested that the male point of view is adopted by the camera for the benefit of an assumed male audience. The fact that the camera would linger on the females body is evidence to this quote and also shows us that women are seen as 'sexual objects' to gratify men. Saying this, Mulvey then argues that male roles will always have a main active role where they view women as passive and showing us that women are subordinate to men. The female audience are also positioned to see through the 'male's eyes' giving them an insight into the male gaze. Mulvey denies the existence of the female gaze.

In saying this, this theory can be challenged according to Freudian Psychology saying that not all heroic characters are male as there have been changes in the way that women are represented which has resulted in the challenges to the stereotypical gender roles since Mulvey wrote her essay, e.g. kill bill vol.2 (2004).

Kill Bill has a different representation of women Uma Thurman has been presented with such a great power with the help of her samurai sword that helps to demonstrate her dominance over the unequipped male. Throughout this film Uma develops the male characteristic of being violent.
Even though this film challenges Mulvey's theory, it also confirms the stereotype that women are possessed with family and emotional e.g. the job of seeking revenge on her family.

Even though Uma is represented as powerful and dominant men can still get pleasure by watching her on her killing rampage as the outfit that she is wearing is tight fitted, making her more attractive to the male's eyes and also giving them a reason to consider her as a 'sex object'.