Misogyny
David Culpepper
While sexuality is indeed back and side grounded in Kubrick's films until
EWS, the misogynistic errr thrusts of traditional western culture do take
more than an occasional turn in the spotlight of the overall thematic
pictures.
Simple examples include:
FMJ - woman defined as sexual object/dispensable product- completely
reproducible by a patriarchal system with the notable exception of the
Virgin Mary. Who for one is a virgin and for two is a mythological figure.
Jung does an interesting treatment on Maryism in Aion, for any that are
interested. Even the sniper begs for death when her mission is complete.
Which ultimately serves Joker's fate, however that is to be read.
TS - Wendy: the accommodating, apologist mouse. To Jack and The Overlook
that is. The mother instinct skews the pattern tho. The plot hinges on
this very element - Wendy's Mother-Hero (in defiance of the patriarchal
dominance), aspect provides the very opportunity for Danny's vanquishing of
Jack. While Danny is a male, he has yet to take on traditional cultural
attributes. He is a child and hence untainted by the entrenched
hierarchies. In fact, is a prior victim of that system. Yet even here,
Wendy does not have ether dynamics necessary to keep Jack and The Overlook
in check --- this requires a mature male to serve as catalyst (Halloran) and
a male child to deal the death dance.
BL - The patterns are quite complex here. While we are presented with hints
of Barry's overt cruelty to Lady Lyndon, we really aren't shown much detail.
The blowing of smoke etc, and we hear LB's accusations of brutality, but
again nothing blatant. Nevertheless, Lady Lyndon is nearly pure cipher -
she wears clothes, she bathes, she signs checks. One of the few instances
where see her exhibit any kind of individuality is the deathbed scene, hair
undone, in a simple nightgown. Even here, the role of mother as-related to
the male.
Lady Redmond has the impetus of individuality (and is widowed), but all
comes to naught as Fortuna turns her gaze from Barry. Again the female
dependant on the male in the hierarchal (vertical), structured patriarchy.
Mark Ervin has some interesting thoughts on Lady Redmond as key to Barry's
turning points, but at the core --- she's a woman in a man's world and
therefore a vassal. As is the cousin (damn not having my reference material
handy!). Certainly a strong willed lass, yet her deviousness and coquetry
is all performed under the auspices of male dominated principles of Lockean
property prerogatives. In fact her behavior is demanded by the traditional
system. She could hardly expect to prosper any other way.
Do I have a conclusion?
Not right now.
Dreamville
Tobasco
Padraig L Henry
There's no right-now call for a conclusion just yet, David, is there?
Or am I taking liberties?
Padraig
"a strong-willed >vassel< lass." I like that. And a copy of Ciment's
treasured artifact to the first person - ever? - at AMK to post the
word for Misogyny's contradictory gender ...
Andrew Foley
Padraig L Henry wrote in message <39ee5508...@news.iol.ie>...
<big snip>
>"a strong-willed >vassel< lass." I like that. And a copy of Ciment's
>treasured artifact to the first person - ever? - at AMK to post the
>word for Misogyny's contradictory gender ...
Misandry.
megafrim
>
> - just as soon as I can steal Rod Munday's :-).
>
> Padraig
Not balbustiany?