Comparative: Power + Authority: Vertigo
Comparative:
Power + Authority
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Vertigo
- notes on scene analysis
- study pack
In Vertigo, power & authority is represented in a variety of different ways. One of the characters which conveys the authoritative characteristics is Scottie, his misplaced in society this is most present in his attempt to regain his authority after he lost it after Madeleine died. His attempt at regaining control is presented as desperate and sad when he forces Judy to dye her hair so she looks identical to Madeleine because of the illusion created by by the idea of helping Madeleine helps Scottie see himself as an authoritative figure which the time of the film was seen as being manly. Scottie tries to grasp onto his authority to try to feel secure in himself. This can be linked to the context of the film as 1950's America was a time of fear in which men were desperately trying to hold onto their power partially due to the rise of the 2nd wave of the feminist movement and the wars America fought; men are trying to recapture an outdated sense of authority.
Furthermore, it it also very clear that Scottie is shown as a male authoritative figure throughout the film is through his dominant expression and approach to women. One scene where this is very clear is when Scottie jumps into the river to save Madeline and the scene that follows, Scottie is shown as an authoritative figure here because he takes action immediately jumping in to save the women. During the 1950's women were seen as a lower in power than men with men being the most powerful in society. Going to the scene after this Scottie took Madeleine back to his house and she is left powerless laying in the bed whilst Scottie makes her some tea. A common theme shown by most Hitchcock films is having a Blonde girl in it, this was usually done because Alfred Hitchcock liked blonde women and saw them as a tool in his films, someone who doesn't have any power except through sexual persuasions. However this is shown to be different in Vertigo where we find out Madeline had aided in the murder of Gavin's wife when we find this out we get a completely different outlook on women power within the film and how women act as a hidden power often unseen by the audience.
Power + Authority
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Vertigo
- notes on scene analysis
- study pack
In Vertigo, power & authority is represented in a variety of different ways. One of the characters which conveys the authoritative characteristics is Scottie, his misplaced in society this is most present in his attempt to regain his authority after he lost it after Madeleine died. His attempt at regaining control is presented as desperate and sad when he forces Judy to dye her hair so she looks identical to Madeleine because of the illusion created by by the idea of helping Madeleine helps Scottie see himself as an authoritative figure which the time of the film was seen as being manly. Scottie tries to grasp onto his authority to try to feel secure in himself. This can be linked to the context of the film as 1950's America was a time of fear in which men were desperately trying to hold onto their power partially due to the rise of the 2nd wave of the feminist movement and the wars America fought; men are trying to recapture an outdated sense of authority.
Furthermore, it it also very clear that Scottie is shown as a male authoritative figure throughout the film is through his dominant expression and approach to women. One scene where this is very clear is when Scottie jumps into the river to save Madeline and the scene that follows, Scottie is shown as an authoritative figure here because he takes action immediately jumping in to save the women. During the 1950's women were seen as a lower in power than men with men being the most powerful in society. Going to the scene after this Scottie took Madeleine back to his house and she is left powerless laying in the bed whilst Scottie makes her some tea. A common theme shown by most Hitchcock films is having a Blonde girl in it, this was usually done because Alfred Hitchcock liked blonde women and saw them as a tool in his films, someone who doesn't have any power except through sexual persuasions. However this is shown to be different in Vertigo where we find out Madeline had aided in the murder of Gavin's wife when we find this out we get a completely different outlook on women power within the film and how women act as a hidden power often unseen by the audience.
Again, your post is very detailed and well presented. It is clear that you know these films very well but can you please add screenshots from relevant scenes in order to help aid your revision. Remember you will be revisiting these for your exam.
ReplyDeleteAll the best
Mr Cooper