• What do we discover about the representation of women from the 1978 film ‘Grease?’

Recap: What is ideology?

What has ideology got to

do with the media?

All media texts contain ideologies that audiences either accept, negotiate or reject.

What ideologies (ideas) do people have about society?

Ideas about gender/women...Ideas about patriotism/war…Ideologies about welfare/poverty

What do we discover about the representation of women from the 1978 film ‘Grease?’

Ideologies are not static. They change over time.

In what ways have ideologies about women changed since the 1950s and today, judging by these media texts?

Grease – set in the 1950s

What was the dominant ideology about women in the 1950s?

Being a woman in the

1950s

Women in the 1950s were repressed and controlled in many ways. Society placed high importance and many expectations on behaviour at home as well as in public. Women were supposed to carry out certain roles, such as a caring mother, a hardworking housewife, and an obedient wife. The perfect mother was supposed to stay home and nurture children. A hardworking housewife was expected to have dinner on the table precisely at the moment her husband arrived home from work. A wife was a "good" wife only if she carried out her man's every order and agreed with him on everything. It would not be acceptable for a woman of the 1950s to be strong and self confident. She would not be expected to or have an opinion.

School and education would only be to teach young women the basics and prepare them for a life of domestic work.

By the 1960s, millions of women in the USA were on pills to cope with depression and anxiety. Life devoted to getting married to ‘the perfect man’ and being ‘the perfect housewife’ was driving women mad with boredom and anxiety. The challenge of a career, education, independent travel and excitement was, it seemed, only for men except for a very brave or (very few) lucky women.

A 1950's American High School Home Economics textbook for schoolgirls had a chapter called "How to be a Good Wife."

But by the 1960s and 1970s attitudes were slowly changing. Women (and some men) began to talk about and demand ‘women’s liberation’ and ‘equal rights.’

More and more women could be seen in the media but not just because they were ‘pretty’ or as sex objects, or as obedient good girls waiting to get married and look after their husband. More and more women were seen to be independent, confident and comfortable with not having to depend on men for their happiness.

Grease is a musical.Musicals are often about teenage

love, hopes and dreams… The narrative arc of musicals isn’t usually about the fight

between good and evil (as in the superhero genre). Instead, our heroes have to overcome the obstacles standing in the way to

the fulfilment of their dreams.

What are the obstacles in the way of

our teenage heroes in Greece?

Sandy

Rizzo

Frenchie

Writing a response to the question

Success criteriaBasic – Level 1

Sound – Level 2

Good – Level 3

Excellent – Level 4

explanation of how the film represents women

The more media terminology you use accurately the higher your level.Ideology Journey Cut Edit Transformation Representation Narrative Stereotype Costume Make-upBody language Sex object/objectification

Sandy and gender binary oppositions – the good student / the‘virginal’ angel

the rebel/ the‘slut’

Look at me, I’m Sandra DeeLook at me, I'm Sandra Dee

Lousy with virginity

Won't go to bed 'til I'm legally wed

I can't; I'm Sandra Dee

Watch it! Hey I'm Doris Day

I was not brought up that way

Won't come across,

Even Rock Hudson lost

His heart to Doris Day

I don't drink (no)

Or swear (no)

I don't rat my hair (eew)

I get ill from one cigarette

(cough, cough, cough)

Keep your filthy paws

Off my silky draws

Would you pull that crap with

Annette?

As for you Troy Donahue,I know what you wanna doYou got your crustI'm no object of lustI'm just plain Sandra Dee

Elvis, Elvis, let me be!Keep that pelvis far from me!Just keep your coolNow your starting to droolHey Fongool, I'm Sandra Dee!

Sandy:Are you making fun of me Riz?Rizzo:Some people are so touchy!

There are worse things I could do,Than go with a boy or two.Even though the neighbourhood thinks I'm trashy,And no good,I suppose it could be true,But there are worse things I could do.I could flirt with all the guys,Smile at them and bat my eyes.Press against them when we dance,Make them think they stand a chance,Then refuse to see it through.That's a thing I'd never do.I could stay home every night,Wait around for Mr.Right.Take cold showers every day,And throw my life away,On a dream that won't come true.I could hurt someone like me,Out of spite or jealousy.I don’t steal and I don’t lie,But I can feel and I can cry.A fact I'll bet you never knew.But to cry in front of you,

Rizzo’s song

Your story sad to tell, A teenage ne'er do well,

Most mixed up non-delinquent on the block!

Your future's so unclear now, What's left of your career now?

Can't even get a trade in on your smile!

Angels: (La lalala lalala lalala...)

Beauty school dropout, No graduation day for you.

Beauty school dropout, Missed your midterms and flunked

shampoo! Well at least you could have taken

time, to wash and clean your clothes up,

After spending all that dough to have the doctor fix your nose

up!

Baby get moving (Baby get movin), Why keep your feeble hopes alive?

What are you proving (What are you provin)?

You've got the dream but not the drive.

If you go for your diploma, you could join a steno pool.

Turn in your teasin comb and go back to high school!

There are worse things I could do,

Than go with a boy or two.

Even though the neighbourhood thinks I'm trashy,

And no good,

I suppose it could be true,

But there are worse things I could do.

I could flirt with all the guys,

Smile at them and bat my eyes.

Press against them when we dance,

Make them think they stand a chance,

Then refuse to see it through.

That's a thing I'd never do.

I could stay home every night,

Wait around for Mr.Right.

Take cold showers every day,

And throw my life away,

On a dream that won't come true.

I could hurt someone like me,

Out of spite or jealousy.

I don’t steal and I don’t lie,

But I can feel and I can cry.

A fact I'll bet you never knew.

But to cry in front of you,

Beauty school dropout (Beauty school dropout), It's about time you knew the score.

Well they couldn't teach you anything, You think you're such a looker, But no customer would go to you unless she was a hooker!

Baby don't sweat it (Don't sweat it), You're not cut out to hold a job. Better forget it (Forget it), Who wants their hair done by a slob?

Now your bangs are curled, your lashes whirled, but still the world is cruel. Wipe off that angel face and go back to high school!

Baby don't blow it, Don't put my good advice to shame. Baby you know it, Even Dear Abby'd say the same!

Now I've called the shot, get off the block, I really gotta fly! Gotta be going to that, malt shop, in the sky!

(Beauty school dropout) Go back to high school

Beauty School Dropout Rizzo’s song

The times are changing - the women’s liberation movement in the 1970s

In 1963, Betty Friedan's book The Feminine Mystique spoke for millions of women who were discontented and unhappy at being forced into being housewives after school and college. In the book, Friedan explored the roots of the change in women's roles from essential workforce during World War II to homebound housewife and mother after the war, and assessed the forces that drove this change in perception of women's roles.

In the 1960s and 1970s it became common for people to talk about and discuss ‘women’s liberation’ and ‘feminism.’

More and more women would be seen in the media demanding that they were not to be seen as sex objects, that they should not have to get men’s permission to do things anymore, that they could take control of their bodies. The way women were represented in the media was looked at more critically. Protests were held at events such as the ‘Miss World’ competition.

At this time, women that did have jobs were not usually paid the same for doing the same work as a man. Women began to organise strikes and protests at this unfair treatment, most famously in the late 1960s at Ford’s Dagenham in Essex, the story of which was made into a film in 2010.

If you supported women’s rights you became known as a member of ‘the feminist movement.’ Feminists wanted to challenge what they called ‘male power’ and bring about a new society of equality between the sexes, where both were given equal respect and freedom.

The rise of women’s rights and feminism in the 1970s

Does Grease represent the dominant gender ideologies of the 1950s or the new ideas about gender growing in the 1970s?

Is the way women are represented in Grease a

reflection of the times the film was set – the 1950s…

Or when it was released, the 1970s?

Key media terms – ideology

Everyone has opinions and ideas about society – everyone has an opinion on what should be done to make society work better.

These ideas are called ‘ideologies.’

The media has a lot of power because it can influence our ideas about things, without us even realising it.

What ideas do you have about society?

What is your ideology?

Jan

The main ‘ideology’ in society

We talk about ‘left wing’ or ‘liberal’ ideology and conservative or ‘ right-wing’ ideology. Newspapers are well known for being biased. The Sun and the Daily Mail are famous for being ‘right wing’ or conservative.’ The Daily Mirror and The Guardian are famous for being more ‘left wing’ or ‘liberal.’

Every film we watch also contains ‘ideology’

Some films are very patriotic for their country.

The heroes in some films are always the soldiers that kill the enemy.

This usually means the film is ‘right wing’ or ‘conservative.’

What do you think a ‘left wing’ or ‘liberal’ film about war might focus on more, instead?

or...

What ideology is the media pouring into your head!?

Are you right wing or left wing?Conservative or liberal?Lets do a test and find out!

What is your ideology?

“Poor people are lazy scroungers. They should get a job and not be allowed free benefits/handouts from the government!”

Agree strongly Disagree strongly 1 10

Or do you think…“Poor people have fallen on hard times. My parent’s taxes should be used to give them a helping hand and support. It can happen to anybody!”

1 -Strongly disagree – it’s not my problem Strongly agree - 10

Women should stay at home, look after the children, not have

a career – that is for the man

Strongly agree – 1

Strongly disagree – 10

Women are at least equal to men – in some things even

better!Strongly disagree – women are by nature inferior to men – 1

Strongly agree – I believe in equal rights for all – 10

I’m very patriotic. I always support my country no matter what

Strongly agree – 1

Strongly disagree – war is always stupid! 10

Some races are inferior to other races

Strongly agree – 1 Strongly disagree -10

• Attitudes to patriotism and war

• Attitudes to sexism and women’s rights

• Attitudes to welfare and poverty

These are all key ideological attitudes or beliefs.

Add up your scores.

Higher the score – the more liberal you are

Lower the score – the more right wing or conservative you are!

Typical liberals!

What ideological values does the film Grease present?

With a close focus on how women are represented

Feminism & The Male Gaze

Laura Mulvey

Introduction

• Laura Mulvey – Male Gaze Influenced by Freud & Jacques Lucan,

Mulvey sees the representation of woman in film & literature (and therefore society in general) as being dominated by a male point of view. Her belief is that the world is a patriarchy and that men have the ‘active’ roles and woman ‘passive’

To look is seen as active

Traditionally

• Men play active roles which drive the narrative

• Women play passive roles and are seen as erotic objects which slow the narrative

• Men far outnumber women

• Female roles are sidelined

• Lead roles for women scarce

Stereotypes

• Bimbo• Female’s physical

attractions such as figure and breasts to overpower the male

• Easy• House wife• Mother• Intelligent yet willing

to settle down

Male Gaze

• Two distinct modes of the male gaze of this era: voyeuristic and fetishistic

• Mulvey argued that women where given two characters types - sexually active female & powerless female

• Films presented images of women that were produced simply for the gratification of male viewers

• Various studies in the 1970s found men to be the dominant characters and decision makers in film and TV production

Importance?• Where women had important roles they were

far more likely to be shown as… - frightened - in need of protection and direction - offering support to the male lead character(s) - not independent or self driven - generally weaker - still objectified sexually • “Women, in any fully human form, have almost

completely been left out of film….” L Mulvey

Fighting Back• Ripleys role is reflective of

feminist ideology. Throughout the Alien series, we see her character grow, change, develop and mature to meet and tackle each situation placed before her.

• Challenges cultural norms• Lt Ellen Ripley introduced

viewers to their first self-reliant and successful science-fiction heroine

• Ripley encounters difficult situations which challenge her femininity

• Still shown as sexual object to both audience and characters

• She has to fight against the patriarchal ideology of the Company, different kinds of male figures and of course, against the Alien

• Distinctive references to gender roles, especially to women's status in the world and to motherhood

Changes in society

• As women's roles change so does media representation. Still objectified but also likely to be…

• Career driven• Intelligent• Confident• Empowered• Able (violent)Remember changes may be made cynically and in

order to make money rather than change ideologies

• How many female action stars who are not attractive?

A Terminators Feminist Timeline

• T1 – Sarah Connor is hysterical, screaming, in need of rescue

• T2 – Strong, empowered, able to hold her own against Arnie

• T3 – We have female terminator TX (uses femininity to advantage)

• Terminator: Sarah Connor chronicles – save the world

A Modern Representation?

• Uma Thurman represented as powerful and dominant and independent

• Sword stands in for and castrates phallus

• Adopts male characteristics of aggression

• Not masculinised yet in masculine roles

• Use of low angles, and a masculine performance

• Conforms to Mulvey’s theory - job of seeking revenge family is given to the female character thus conforming to stereotypes where women are seen to be possessed with family and emotional

• Tight outfit allows objectification• Voyeuristic pleasures by watching Thurman on

her killing rampage • Remember male director/industry may still mean

male ideologies

Other Examples….

Evidence of the female gaze?

VsVs

Misogyny

• What is it? ….

TV Drama Example

• Gene Hunt (TV Detective from Life on Mars, set in 1970’s Britain) talking about politics:

'THERE WILL NEVER BE A WOMAN PRIME MINISTER AS LONG AS I HAVE A HOLE UP MY A**E.'

Misogyny

• How would you define the term misogyny based on what you have just seen?

• Can you think of any other examples of misogyny that you may have seen in any media text or simply experienced in everyday life?

• Misogyny – the contempt or hatred of women and girls

H/W Activity • Read the Guardian article from 21 May 2010 ‘Farewell to Ashes to Ashes and Gene

Hunt, the lovable sexist, racist, macho homophobe’• Define the characteristics/elements that you think you would be looking for in a media

text which demonstrates misogynistic behaviour/ attitudes.• Watch the first episode of series one of ‘Ashes to Ashes’ (2008, Kudos Productions)

and find examples from the text of misogynistic attitudes & behaviour by referring to examples from the mise-en-scene (actions & dialogue, setting, props costume/make-up, lighting, camera angles & framing). Make a table in your blogs now to take notes under these headings.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ25RATUsUY&feature=related