Laura Mulveys Male Gaze Theory

Q Define the key features of Mulveys theory

Mulveys theory revolves around the Male Gaze, which
transpires when the audience is plunged into the
viewpoint of a heterosexual man. A scene that entails this
Gaze may centre around the curves of a womens body
which in turn puts the audiences eyes of a male. Although
the theory can only be applied if the shot uses slow
motion or deliberate camera movements to convey a
womens body.
This theory conveys the idea that the male gaze denies
women human identity, which refers them to the status of
objects just to be admired on their physique. The idea of
the male gaze can lead to Hegemoinc (ruling or dominant
in a political or social context) ideologies within our
society.
The role of a female character within a media text can
either be used as an erotic object for the characters within
the text to view or for the audience to view.
Within a film, males are generally seen as having the
active role as they observe others whereas females are
seen as passive, as they are observed. Females are under
control of the males gaze and are only used for visual
pleasure. They tend to slow the narrative down showing
inspiration for how men should act, whereas males push
the narrative onwards in order to make events happen.

Q What effect could this theory have upon woman

viewers?
This theory could have a negative effect on a women
audience as the media text is being shown through the
viewpoint of men therefore the male gaze. This could
make women take the male gaze themselves. Women will
then be seeing women the same as men would through
the male gaze hence objectifying other women. This
theory could also make women viewers more aware of
what media texts they watch. It could possibly decrease
the woman viewing population as if some disagree strong
enough, such as feminists do,
they will be disinterested in
films that are seen to objectify
women, seeing them as
passive. This is could be
particularly important to older
women as they have
knowledge of the little equality
that women use to have in the
past; therefore seeing this
theory as a step back in time.

Q What effect could this theory have on male

viewers?
This theory could have an influential effect on male
viewers, encouraging them that it is acceptable to

objectify women and strip them of their humanity. Mulvey

argues that we live in a patriarchal society where men
dictate rules and carry out male dominace over women.
This is particularly
concerning if the male gaze
is presented to a passive
audience as this could lead
to an influential
representation of reality in
which they would copy and
it would actually become
reality.
Q Why do we believe the male gaze is present in
films/adverts and T.V today?
We believe that the male gaze is presented in adverts and
in T.V today as women are more commonly objectified in
films such as the James Bond franchise, in particular Die
Another Day. Objectification can be shown through a
variety of shots such as an upwards tracking shot which
forces the audience to observe the characters physique.
We also believe that the male gaze is present as our own
society is becoming more focused on womens body, with
the porn industry influencing teenage boys to believe that
all women should have a certain stereotypical perfect
body.

Q What effect can this have upon society?

This could have a negative effect upon society as shown
by the effects the male gaze can inflict upon male and

female viewers,
encouraging both to
enforce the male gaze
in reality. The theory
suggests that we are
already living in a
patriarchal society in
which males dictate
rules and the fact that
the male gaze is
presented in different
types of media texts,
makes this society become a reality.