GAYZING AT THE LESBIAN LEAD IN MAINSTREAM AMERICAN FILM
A Thesis
Presented to
The Faculty of the Department of
Theatre Arts
San Jose State University
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts
By
Kristin Lee Nielsen
© August 2004
ABSTRACT
SEEK AND SHE SHALL FIND:
GAYZING AT THE LESBIAN LEAD IN MAINSTREAM AMERICAN FILM
by Kristin Lee Nielsen
The representation of lesbians in mainstream American film has had a difficult history as lesbians have been under-represented and misrepresented. Lesbian representation hinges on the concept of visibility and understanding the power of the lesbian spectator. The lesbian spectator can read against the intentions established on the narrative level and has the power to appropriate what she ÒgayzesÓ on the screen.
This thesis explores the distinctive relationship between the lesbian spectator (lesbian representation) and the image of lesbianism (representation of lesbians). From her perspective and through the use of performance analysis, the representation of lesbianism and the tension between narrative and performance values were examined to elicit a better understanding of the encoded and sub-textual signifiers in performance. Four films, Basic Instinct, Bound, Fried Green Tomatoes, and The Color Purple, were evaluated by looking at the coding of lesbian identity within the representational practices of filmmaking.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................... vii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 3 METHOD.............................................................................................. 14
3.1 Scope of Work......................................................................... 14
3.2 Definition of Terms................................................................. 16
CHAPTER 4 FILM ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION................................................ 18
4.1 Pathology vs. Normality......................................................... 18
4.1.1 Basic Instinct............................................................ 20
4.1.2 Bound........................................................................ 26
4.2 Visibility vs. Invisibility............................................................ 35
4.2.1 Fried Green Tomatoes........................................... 38
4.2.2 The Color Purple..................................................... 53
4.3 Film Analysis and Discussion Figures.............................. 68
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION.................................................................................... 96
BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................... 108
FILMOGRAPHY............................................................................................................ 112
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Basic InstinctÉ Dressing Scene........................................................... 68
Figure 2 Basic InstinctÉ Foyer Scene.................................................................. 69
Figure 3 Basic InstinctÉ Living Room Scene..................................................... 70
Figure 4 Basic InstinctÉ Bathroom Scene.......................................................... 71
Figure 5 Basic InstinctÉ Backyard Scene........................................................... 72
Figure 6 Basic InstinctÉ Bar Scene..................................................................... 73
Figure 7 Basic InstinctÉ Bar Bathroom Scene.................................................. 74
Figure 8 BoundÉ Elevator Scene......................................................................... 75
Figure 9 BoundÉ CorkyÕs Apartment Scene I.................................................... 76
Figure 10 BoundÉ CorkyÕs Apartment Scene II................................................... 77
Figure 11 BoundÉ Bar Scene................................................................................. 78
Figure 12 BoundÉ VioletÕs Apartment Scene....................................................... 79
Figure 13 BoundÉ Sex Scene I............................................................................... 80
Figure 14 BoundÉ Sex Scene II.............................................................................. 81
Figure 15 BoundÉ Closing Scene......................................................................... 82
Figure 16 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Bee Charming Scene................................ 83
Figure 17 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Bar Scene.................................................... 84
Figure 18 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Street Scene................................................ 85
Figure 19 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Funeral Scene............................................. 86
Figure 20 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Birth of Buddy Scene.................................. 87
Figure 21 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Swimming Scene....................................... 88
Figure 22 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Rescuing Ruth Scene............................... 89
Figure 23 Fried Green TomatoesÉ Visiting Ruth................................................ 90
Figure 24 The Color PurpleÉ Shug Arrives.......................................................... 91
Figure 25 The Color PurpleÉ The BondingÉCelie Nursing Shug.................. 92
Figure 26 The Color PurpleÉ Breakfast for Shug................................................ 93
Figure 27 The Color PurpleÉ Shug Serenading Celie....................................... 94
Figure 28 The Color PurpleÉ Shug Seducing Celie........................................... 95
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FILMOGRAPHY
Basic Instinct, director Paul Verhoeven
United States
1992 35mm fiction color
Bound, director Andy and Larry Wachowski
United States
1996 35mm fiction color
The Color Purple, director Steven Spielberg
United States
1985 35mm fiction color
Fried Green Tomatoes, director Jon Avnet
United States
1991 35mm fiction color