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Femme Fatale Analysis

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Introduction Part 1: “Consciously or not, Alfred Hitchcock never followed tendencies of mainstream cinema. By depicting his heroines as strong and expressive, giving them freedom of will and using a subjective narrative mode, he broke with the classical image of woman as a spectacle.” (Malgorzata Bodecka) Films have always been influenced by the social-cultural background from the time the film was produced. Dating back to the beginning of film around the 1890s through the films produced today, if taken into account the time period, one can argue that a big change in the social-cultural background of the world, especially in western society, has been the change of the role of women in society. This essay seeks to evaluate how the role of women …show more content…

Renowned examples are Aphrodite (ancient mythical), Cleopatra (Classical times) and Salome (Biblical figure). Merriam-Webster defines females classified by the term as “seductive [women] who [lure] men into dangerous or compromising situations”. A more elaborate description by Mary McMahon illustrates that “A classic femme fatale hides her true nature with seductive attitudes, ensnaring her prey so thoroughly that by the time he realizes what has happened, it is too late. A vixen with sinister …show more content…

Throughout the films the three women overpower their respective male protagonist economically and physically (mainly portrayed by Lisa Fremont who can sustain the couple economically and is physically outmatches Jeffreis broken leg), and mentally and intellectually (portrayed by Elster’s and Kendall’s ability to manipulate Thornhill and Scottie respectively). The three films analysed were successful as examples for the portrayal of the change in gender role in film as they clearly uniquely demonstrate three types of women who are able to have an active role amongst society. The representation of the three Icy Blondes is directly connected to the gender turmoil caused by WW2 as the three movies were produced within 15 years after the end of

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The characteristic of Fleur fit the femme fatale archetype since she is beautiful confident, has great body and mind, and don’t care about what people think about her. All of these factors enough to get attention from all men in Argus. She knew how to kill people who hurt her in mysterious way. The three men who raped her were killed by Tornado (30), however she has never killed people by her

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Considering that women have suffered from discrimination in public and private life, politics were not going to be the exception. As we could see in the previous chapter, throughout history and even until recently, it was considered that women did not have the capacities needed to create their own opinion. Therefore, the possibility for women to reach the political sphere was unimaginable. The feminine sex was not believed competent for intellectual jobs; women had to spend their lives doing domestic work without the possibility of being educated as

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While most of the literature I have read or come across paints Hitchcock and subsequently many other men, who treat woman and men in the same manner, as a misogynist there are those who believe he was a feminist. There are those who believe Hitchcock recognised the strength that each of his leading ladies had, but rather than appreciate their strength, he used his films and his film-making to control them. This yet again, especially for me brings up the question what price is Art worth? After all he is considered the master of suspense and has gained great acclaim since his death in ….., but does that make it right for Hitchcock to mistreat people the way in which he did? To me, b seems to be a separation between art and method, I firmly believe, and I know many may disagree with me, that a piece of art that in anyway is created with a process that dehumanises and punishes it’s actors should not be revered or viewed as a

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