Ginger Snaps Viewing

4

We viewed Ginger snaps in class and I made notes during the film through the lens of Gender/Sexuality as this interests me a lot and is along the lines of what I'd like to do for my project.

- 'Wrists are for girls' idea that an act can be feminine based on the fact that male acts are 'tough' or more difficult. Masculine is harder therefore better and they want to steer away from feminine things as they are associated with being weak - stereotyped gender roles

- We see the women playing sport from the male point of view. The first time the sisters come across as sexual is the camera being through the eyes of a male, idea that women's sexuality is based off men's desires.

- Girl called a 'bitch' because she rejects a boy. Negative connotations to girls who make own choices on sexuality.

- Can't talk about menstruating at dinner in front of man even though it's natural because society views it as a bad, taboo subject.

- Menstruating is a curse because it's a sign of women losing their innocence. Once a girl has her first period she is no longer pure and untouched. She is now 'dirty' and no longer innocent therefore something bad must happen to her. A punishment for the sin of womanhood (religious connotations in this - traditional values are still upheld)

- Man slays the beast whilst the girls run

- After she has her first period she wears tighter clothes, different hairstyles, sexuality begins to increase because her innocence is lost. All this is seen from the male perspective as she walks down the corridor in school.

- woman is overally sexual and the man sees it as uncomfortable and tells her to lie back. Society is uncomfortable with women being dominant sexually. 'who's the guy' = men should be dominant sexually and women should be submissive. The swapping of roles is uncomfortable and different. The werewolf could be seen as a metaphor for society being uncomfortable with women's owning their sexuality.

- Rape comment = women being overtly sexual, dressing in a certain way gives men the right and excuse to rape her? Another common view in society that girls 'asked for it'

- women are stereotyped as 'slut, bitch, tease or virgin next door'. We box in women's personalities to make them keep to what society thinks is best or make them feel guilty if they do otherwise.

- Very sinful act of killing is compared to masturbating  - something that society see's as sinful for a woman to do.

- Overly sexualised Halloween costume is again seen from the male perspective as she walks in the room.

- Younger sister takes positive action by the end - she's doing and he's encouraging. She's left as the last girl standing.