The aim of this research paper is to prove that movies have a great influence on how women and men see themselves in real life and that they reinforce gender difference by stereotyping the characters. It will be further suggested that these seemingly superficial differences do indeed make damages in real life.
Humankind has always tried to improve in every possible sector. That is how ideals and standards came into being and are still held up today. These ideals reflect our collective thoughts and capture the Zeitgeist of the era and place we live in. Because of that, being American, as for being Italian or Chinese, has a certain connotation to it. A certain architype of man and a certain one of woman has also been transmitted from one generation to the other. This is best displayed in movies, as it is one of the propagandistic tools which shows to the world the face of the own nation. Therefore, the essence of what it means to be manly or womanly in America was transmitted through the actors/actresses from the early stages of Hollywood filmmaking.
Not only do movies “seemingly” represent our reality, our desires and thoughts but it, first and foremost, creates those desires. Humans are of an imitative nature and will copy whatever they see and take, for example, films as an unchangeable reality. Furthermore, as we are talking about short film sequences and not everyday life, it is difficult to reach the standards which are displayed in movies, as for clothing, money, looks and behavior. This will lead to people getting really influenced by movies and consequently frustrated when they realize that the ideals cannot be easily reached.
First, a definition of gender in general and the different nuances of manliness and womanliness will be given, following a chapter about how we underestimate the power which movies exert over our lives. In a brief section it will be explained how gender differences were portrayed in movies, from the beginning of Hollywood cinema till the making of “Wall Street” (1987). To round out the topic with a good example, the film “Wall Street” of the year 1987 will be analyzed, looking at the gender stereotypes that leak out. Last but not least, a light will be shed on the real life situation in Wall Street around that time and nowadays, focusing on the gender inequality that reign in this working space.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is gender
3. The Power of Media
4. From the early cinematographic stages till „Wall Street “
5. Wall Street
5.1 The Film Analysis
5.1.1 Masculinity
5.1.2 Women in “Wall Street”
5.2 Gender Equality in real life Wall Street
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper aims to demonstrate that movies significantly influence how men and women perceive themselves in reality and reinforce gender stereotypes. By analyzing the film "Wall Street" (1987), the paper explores how media portrayals contribute to structural inequalities, such as skewed job distribution, and examines the persistence of these patterns in the contemporary financial sector.
- The social construction of gender and its implications for behavioral expectations.
- The power of media in shaping societal realities and reinforcing stereotypes.
- Historical portrayals of gender roles in Hollywood cinema.
- Analysis of masculinity and the representation of women in the film "Wall Street".
- Gender inequality and career advancement challenges in the modern financial industry.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1.1 Masculinity
First of all, the term “masculinity” and the meaning it gains in this movie was analyzed by looking at whether certain descriptors of this term occur and to which extend. Factors attributed to male power and superiority are among others: violence, playboy attitude, having power over women and emotional control (Zeglin 49).
Of all these terms, being and behaving like a playboy was the least to be seen. This could be attributed to the fact that in Wall Street, money is the most important thing and not necessarily behaving like someone who can get whatever woman he wants. Gordon Gekko had certainly had a lot of women, including prostitutes and women who owed him their career, like Darien Taylor. Nevertheless, he seems to be a “loyal” father and husband as well, and doesn’t care much about sharing “his” women with co-workers. Even Bud Fox kind of falls in love with Darien and is therefore not much of a playboy.
Violence is portrayed in different ways but mostly by those actors whose character works in the financial branch. For example, Carl Fox, a maintenance foreman for a small airline, does not show any of the traits mentioned above, which puts him in a contrasting light to Bud and Gekko. Violence gets first introduced by the squash game Gekko and Bud are having (30.00). It is a metaphor for how working in Wall Street feels like, and it also shows how much better Gordon Gekko is, in both sports and finances. At minute 47.37, Gecko shows off his pistols, which is clearly another glorification of violence, even though one doubts whether he would be able to really shoot someone. That violence is a quality that most big shots in the financial industry have or should have is also shown when Bud, having become successful, shouts at his co-worker and former friend Marv and orders him to do his own work and leave him alone (1.13.40), something he later in the film regrets as he decides to choose morality over money. At the end of the film, violence reaches its peak with Gordon punching Bud in the face (1.56.30).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The chapter establishes the role of movies as powerful cultural tools that shape societal ideals and proposes the thesis that film portrayals directly influence self-perception and gender inequality.
2. What is gender: This section clarifies the distinction between sex and gender, arguing that gender is a socially constructed concept that dictates behavioral norms and sustains sexist hierarchies.
3. The Power of Media: This chapter highlights how movies go beyond depiction to actively create reality, using examples like "Top Gun" and forensic crime series to show how media influences real-world career aspirations.
4. From the early cinematographic stages till „Wall Street “: The author traces the evolution of gender portrayal in Hollywood, noting how traditional tropes like the "virgin-whore complex" have historically limited female representation.
5. Wall Street: This chapter provides a critical analysis of Oliver Stone's 1987 film, examining how masculinity is defined through violence and emotional control, and how women are relegated to secondary, sexualized roles.
6. Conclusion: The paper summarizes that while some progress has been made, the underlying mechanisms of inequality portrayed in "Wall Street" remain deeply entrenched in the financial sector today.
7. Bibliography: This section lists the academic sources, films, and articles utilized to support the research arguments.
Keywords
Gender, Media, Film Analysis, Wall Street, Masculinity, Gender Stereotypes, Social Construction, Hollywood, Financial Sector, Inequality, Career Advancement, Representation, Power, Behavioral Norms, Cultural Influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental topic of this research paper?
The paper examines how gender roles and inequalities are transmitted from movies to real life, focusing on the influence of Hollywood portrayals on societal perceptions.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the social construction of gender, the power of media as a tool for shaping reality, and the manifestation of gender stereotypes in both film and the financial working world.
What is the primary goal or research question?
The primary aim is to prove that movies reinforce gender differences by stereotyping characters and that these portrayals contribute to damaging real-world consequences, such as unequal job distribution.
Which scientific method is used?
The author uses a qualitative film analysis method, examining character traits, professional roles, and dialogue in the film "Wall Street," and supports these findings with sociological studies on gender in the workplace.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the definition of gender, the power of media, the history of gender portrayals in cinema, a detailed analysis of the film "Wall Street," and the current status of gender equality in the financial industry.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Keywords include Gender, Media, Film Analysis, Wall Street, Masculinity, Gender Stereotypes, Hollywood, and Inequality.
How does the film "Wall Street" portray masculinity?
Masculinity in the film is portrayed through traits like violence, emotional control, and the exercise of power over women, with the character Gordon Gekko serving as the embodiment of these "macho" business standards.
What role do women typically occupy in the film "Wall Street"?
Women in the film are primarily depicted in subordinate positions, such as secretaries or as "sexual entertainment," and are rarely shown in high-powered professional roles.
Does the author argue that the movie is solely responsible for workplace inequality?
No, the author clarifies that it is not necessarily the movie's fault that these inequalities persist, but suggests that the film has likely contributed to and reinforced these existing cultural patterns.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Stefanie Dalvai (Autor:in), 2016, How gender inequality gets transmitted from movies to reality. Analyzing the movie "Wall Street" (1987), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/455925
