Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the

representation of sexuality (50 Marks)

Homosexual people (specifically lesbians) have been represented as overly
sexual in this extract through the use of editing. This can be seen when an
eyeline match has been used to show Maude looking at the other womans
breasts through the use of a close up shot. This eyeline match was repeated
multiple times to emphasise the action taking place. This is stereotypical as in
other TV dramas, lesbians are conventionally seen mainly love making. This
means that lesbians are viewed as overly sexual as their physical relationship is
shown more than their mental relationship. This relates to the Male Gaze Theory
by Mulvey as lesbian love scenes are conventionally included in TV dramas (and
other media products) for male viewing pleasure as men usually find pleasure in
watching lesbian love scenes. However, it could be argued that overly
sexualising lesbians could also be of viewing pleasure to other lesbians or
bisexuals and not just men, this is one of the drawbacks of Mulveys Male Gaze
Theory as it doesnt consider women watching men or other women for pleasure,
it only focuses on men viewing women for pleasure.
Editing has been used to represent homosexuality as a sin in society. This can be
seen when Maude is gazing at the other woman and the man catches her. This
has been shown through a reaction shot as it cuts from Maude gazing and at the
woman to the man looking confused and giving a judgmental look. This is
stereotypical as in this period homosexuality was considered a sin and morally
wrong as heterosexuality was the normal way to be. Dominant ideology is a
theory that would support this representation as it was the dominant ideology for
men and women to marry and have children, whereas homosexuality wasnt
considered normal.
Camerawork has been used to represent homosexual people as lustful. This can
be seen in the extract when an extreme close up is used to show the red paint
drip onto Maudes skirt when she was so distracted by the womans body that
she forgot she had paint on her brush. This emphasises how lustful homosexual
people (specifically lesbians) are as a connotation of the colour red is lust. This is
stereotypical as in the media lesbians are represented as overly lustful towards
other women. Although this representation is stereotypical, its also unrealistic as
not all homosexual people are overly lustful; in fact lesbians tend to be more
about the loving side of the relationship than the physical, sexual side.
Heterosexual people (straight men) have been represented as dominant in this
extract. This can be seen when the male character uses aggressive body
language such as holding Maude by her neck and forcing her to be kissed by
him. This is stereotypical as men are viewed to be the dominant one of the two
genders, whereas the women are seen as subordinate. Levi Strauss theory of
Binary Opposites would support this representation as he believes that there

always has to be two opposites, in this case its women being subordinate and
men being dominant. This is also a conventional representation as men are
usually seen pressuring women into being in love with them in the media in
terms of sexual abusing; however this isnt always the case as women could also
commit such crimes.

Homosexual people (specifically lesbians) have been represented as being

ashamed of their sexuality. This can be seen when a close up reveals Maudes
facial expression after gazing at the other woman, which is a face of denial.
Maude looks guilty, as if shes committed a crime, the crime being her sexuality.
This is stereotypical as the dominant ideology, especially during this time period
was that heterosexuality was the norm and homosexuality or bisexuality was
considered an abnormality. Also in other TV dramas and media products
homosexual people feel they need to hide their sexuality from others as so many
people consider it to be abnormal to be interested in someone who is of the
same sexual orientation.
Sound has been used to represent heterosexual people as homophobic. This can
be heard when diegetic sound has been used to reveal the straight male
character saying Shed laugh in your face if she knew. This is an example of a
homophobic comment as hes making homosexuality out to be a joke and that
the other woman would never love her because its considered abnormal to love
someone of the same sex. This is an example of dominant ideology as people at
this time and some people today think that homosexuality is morally wrong and
that heterosexuality is the normal and morally correct. This is stereotypical for
people at this time to be homophobic, however its considered an anti-stereotype
currently as homosexuality is socially accepted now by a majority of people to
the point where gay marriage has been legalised.
Finally, non-diegetic sound has been used in this extract to represent
homosexuality as immoral. This can be heard when the man notices Maude
staring at the other woman in a sexual manor. The music is loud, wind music that
connotes danger as the man has found out about her sexuality. This music has
been used to show that Maude is now in danger as the man knows she is
homosexual, this would have been bad in these days as homosexuality wasnt
widely accepted like it is now. The music once again emphasises how
homosexuality was considered a sin at this time.