the male gaze the authoritative gaze the murderous gaze the idealizing gaze the objectifying gaze voyeurism gazing looking
Abstract:
The male gaze is a phenomenon that continues to puzzle both film theorists and film viewers. Although previously studied and examined by film theorists, the term tends to carry only one definition into modern-day understanding. The male gaze often gets entangled with other terms and phrases such as “voyeurism,” “sexualization,” “objectification,” and “Peeping Toms.” While these terms and phrases do contribute their fair share to the overarching concept of the male gaze, I argue that when examined more closely, other types of male gazes lie below the surface. Hitchcock’s cinematography undoubtedly captures rather risqué images of female characters, leaving audiences without a choice but to partake in male sexualization and objectification. Yet, his films depict scenes between female and male characters – either with or without dialogue – that capture a type of gaze one cannot quite associate with merely male sexualization. From rewatching and analyzing films such as Rear Window, Vertigo, and Psycho, I have created my own terms and definitions of different male gazes that may or may not align with the voyeuristic and innately sexual tendencies associated with the overarching term.
