LFTVD Q4 - Butler
Gender is a construct of performance rather than physical gender. Feminism that only considers masculinity and femininity excludes other forms of gender identification and sexuality. 'Gender trouble' is created when one doesn't fit into the 'norm'. Queer theory deconstructs and aims to destabilise fixed identities based on gender and sexuality. Gender is not a physically attained label but rather a social construct created to separate those viewed as superior from inferior. It comes from the way one lives, acts, expresses themselves, in performance of how they identify.
Which characters performance of gender roles conform to social expectations?
ST - Steve: He takes the form of the stereotypical male jock. He behaves recklessly, obsessions with sex and sports. He is constructed to appear strong and in control of his relationship (with Nancy). Nancy: She takes the form of a stereotypical teenage girl. She works towards good grades in school with side action of experiencing a relationship with the leader of the relationship, Steve. Hopper: set to look masculine and strong. Drinks beers, smokes, messy but still has authority (sheriff and a man in general).
TK - Theis: A masculine, strong man who brings the money in. He leads his workers and leaves his wife at home. Seems less caring for his kids (Nanna) as it is apparent she is missing. Trolls: Typical, sexual character obsessed with women and having authority over people (Mayoral position). He is a player, manipulative and deceitful but is actually the admired male form.
Which characters challenge normative gender roles?
ST - El: She has telekinetic powers, ones which give her the ability to fend for herself. She has a shaved head which, although small, is an act of defiance to the standard feminine look. She's strong, especially for her age. Will: He's a young lad but the audience is made aware that he is bullied for seeming gay. There is no hard evidence of him being homosexual, however he possesses some more feminine traits.
TK - Sarah: She is strong and has some power in her role as a detective. The men she works with don't seem to work as well as her, although they still seem to sexualise things. She is focused on her work which may seem less feminine.
Are characters treated differently based on how they perform gender roles?
ST - Characters are treated differently depending on their performance of gender roles. The sweeter girls (Nancy) are treated like they need guidance by their masculine partners (Steve), however it becomes clear that Nancy can pack a punch towards the end of the series. The secretary at the police station (female) seems to care about Hopper, kind of like how a woman would for her husband. Because of this, she faces slight disrespect and overlooking by Hopper and the men of the police station as she is feminine.
TK - Trolls has women throwing themselves at him because he comes across as a masculine 'player', he enjoys it and seems to cheat and lie because of it. Vagn is treated as weaker when he lets Theis walk all over him. He could appear weaker and that is then manipulated by his fellow workers.
Evaluate the usefulness of one of the following theories (Butler - gender perfomativity) in understanding long form TV drama:
Butler argues that gender is a construct assigned to the way it is performed rather than any physical gender. This can result in out casting and different ways of treatment according to what gender is performed.
Butler's theory is useful when analysing Stranger Things (ST) because it helps explain why characters are the way they are and as a result why they are treated and responded to in certain ways. For example. Nancy portrays a very feminine character resulting in the assumption of her being weaker, well behaved and innocent. This then results in people treating her as such, explaining why Steve is in control of the relationship, perhaps having a bad influence on her like when they are 'studying'. The theory is restricted when analysing other characters like El for example. She is female and feminine but is strong and is the one with advanced abilities. This is not a typical choice for a female character. In order to understand her gender, you cant look at how she is treated or perceived as it crosses over with typical masculine traits.
Butler's theory is also useful when analysing The Killing (TK) because many characters abide by her points. For instants, Theis is seen as male and masculine because of his powerful authority over his wife, family and workers. He brings the money in, he controls his employees, he leaves his wife at home and is less concerned when it comes to his parenting. As a result of this, he is respected and looked up to by his younger, more naive employee, Vagn. However, Butler's theory only goes so far because Sarah Lund is a perfect example of breaking these typical norms of gender. She is a strong female protagonist. She works hard, is respected, is experienced. These don't fit into the typical female characterisations resulting in a more male performance of gender. Never the less, she is known to move to Sweden for her boyfriend. Following a man is actually a feminine trait. She is also seen wearing his shirt, showing her underwear. This again is a feminine trait, allowing her to be sexualised as a possession.
To conclude, Butler's theory is evidently more useful when analysing TK as more characters fit the guidelines of her theory, even though it can be partially used for ST. It can be expected that characters won't fully fit the description of a female or male because genders, as a performance, are forever changing and merging together. As society is realising the crossovers of two genders becoming more, characters and LFTVD will likely adapt with it.
Which characters performance of gender roles conform to social expectations?
ST - Steve: He takes the form of the stereotypical male jock. He behaves recklessly, obsessions with sex and sports. He is constructed to appear strong and in control of his relationship (with Nancy). Nancy: She takes the form of a stereotypical teenage girl. She works towards good grades in school with side action of experiencing a relationship with the leader of the relationship, Steve. Hopper: set to look masculine and strong. Drinks beers, smokes, messy but still has authority (sheriff and a man in general).
TK - Theis: A masculine, strong man who brings the money in. He leads his workers and leaves his wife at home. Seems less caring for his kids (Nanna) as it is apparent she is missing. Trolls: Typical, sexual character obsessed with women and having authority over people (Mayoral position). He is a player, manipulative and deceitful but is actually the admired male form.
Which characters challenge normative gender roles?
ST - El: She has telekinetic powers, ones which give her the ability to fend for herself. She has a shaved head which, although small, is an act of defiance to the standard feminine look. She's strong, especially for her age. Will: He's a young lad but the audience is made aware that he is bullied for seeming gay. There is no hard evidence of him being homosexual, however he possesses some more feminine traits.
TK - Sarah: She is strong and has some power in her role as a detective. The men she works with don't seem to work as well as her, although they still seem to sexualise things. She is focused on her work which may seem less feminine.
Are characters treated differently based on how they perform gender roles?
ST - Characters are treated differently depending on their performance of gender roles. The sweeter girls (Nancy) are treated like they need guidance by their masculine partners (Steve), however it becomes clear that Nancy can pack a punch towards the end of the series. The secretary at the police station (female) seems to care about Hopper, kind of like how a woman would for her husband. Because of this, she faces slight disrespect and overlooking by Hopper and the men of the police station as she is feminine.
TK - Trolls has women throwing themselves at him because he comes across as a masculine 'player', he enjoys it and seems to cheat and lie because of it. Vagn is treated as weaker when he lets Theis walk all over him. He could appear weaker and that is then manipulated by his fellow workers.
Evaluate the usefulness of one of the following theories (Butler - gender perfomativity) in understanding long form TV drama:
Butler argues that gender is a construct assigned to the way it is performed rather than any physical gender. This can result in out casting and different ways of treatment according to what gender is performed.
Butler's theory is useful when analysing Stranger Things (ST) because it helps explain why characters are the way they are and as a result why they are treated and responded to in certain ways. For example. Nancy portrays a very feminine character resulting in the assumption of her being weaker, well behaved and innocent. This then results in people treating her as such, explaining why Steve is in control of the relationship, perhaps having a bad influence on her like when they are 'studying'. The theory is restricted when analysing other characters like El for example. She is female and feminine but is strong and is the one with advanced abilities. This is not a typical choice for a female character. In order to understand her gender, you cant look at how she is treated or perceived as it crosses over with typical masculine traits.
Butler's theory is also useful when analysing The Killing (TK) because many characters abide by her points. For instants, Theis is seen as male and masculine because of his powerful authority over his wife, family and workers. He brings the money in, he controls his employees, he leaves his wife at home and is less concerned when it comes to his parenting. As a result of this, he is respected and looked up to by his younger, more naive employee, Vagn. However, Butler's theory only goes so far because Sarah Lund is a perfect example of breaking these typical norms of gender. She is a strong female protagonist. She works hard, is respected, is experienced. These don't fit into the typical female characterisations resulting in a more male performance of gender. Never the less, she is known to move to Sweden for her boyfriend. Following a man is actually a feminine trait. She is also seen wearing his shirt, showing her underwear. This again is a feminine trait, allowing her to be sexualised as a possession.
To conclude, Butler's theory is evidently more useful when analysing TK as more characters fit the guidelines of her theory, even though it can be partially used for ST. It can be expected that characters won't fully fit the description of a female or male because genders, as a performance, are forever changing and merging together. As society is realising the crossovers of two genders becoming more, characters and LFTVD will likely adapt with it.
Good stuff, Olivia - good notes and a strong essay. Don't forget to mention that because Butler is a representation theorist, her theory isn't useful when analysing audience, language or industry.
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