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 You will use this site to post your reading responses. Please include your name and include "core" in the title for your five core posts.




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Megan Sullivan-- Core Response #4

  In chapter Star Bodies and Performance, Dyer calls to attention Dryan S. Turner’s concept of a ‘somatic society’ as a lens for understanding how the body is connected with modern social and political issues. This concept allows us to consider bodies as not simply an individual being, but a part of a larger and interconnected society. Specifically, Dyer uses action films as a way of exemplifying this idea, as action heroes often exhibit their large muscles and strength which in some way serves as a main point in the story. However, Dyer maintains that this is one type of body represented in one type of film, and other types of bodies represent different cultural complexities in other genres.  When looking at star bodies, Dyer suggests that you also have to look at their performance to understand how subtle bodily actions have a significant impact on broader themes and messages in the film regarding the body and sexuality. The small, minute actions such as mannerisms, facial e...
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Megan O’Brien — Core Response #5

As we have studied in this class, female gender expectations have historically been created and maintained through film stars, characters, and troupes. However, this line becomes blurred as everyday people are entering the limelight by portraying their daily life. Influential figures are no longer distant people in the world, but people that audiences can directly compare themselves to without the excuse that they’re just staged or scripted. This can be especially harmful when the expectations that are being set are warped by influencers trying to avoid outside harassment and prioritize staying relevant. Their expression of their body image, gender, and racial identity are molded to appease audiences opposed to convey the raw truth.  Defining concepts of “gender double-blind” or “authenticity bind,” these articles distinguish the immense pressure from society and individuals to balance not being too real and not real enough. Their idea defines weighing vulnerability and visibility ...
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Megan O’Brien — Supplemental Response #5

I think that Taylor Swift’s “The Man” music video is particularly interesting to look at through the lens of this class and this week's readings. Swift plays a man in this film and embraces masculinity to showcase how much easier her life would be if she were a man. Her male persona gets applauded for simple tasks, is allowed to over react, and is seen inconveniencing others without any repercussions. This video creates an interesting conversation as it exposes and exploits the white male privilege. Seeing these everyday instances back to back emphasizes the unequal standards that the male gender is held to. The music video and song’s message as a whole articulates a piece of art that speaks into relation of this weeks readings regarding pop celebrities appropriating alternate genders and races. Swift is successful in creating a meaningful message by forming deeper connections with the alternate race and gender in the video and her personal experience seen through the lyrics. Overa...
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