INTRODUCTION
Since Alien first appeared on screen in 1979, there have been many studies about it, covering every imaginable interpretation possible. There was a focus especially on gender theory and femininity studies – essays on a lesbian point of view, the abject mother and monstrous femininity. Even about male homoerotic aspects, obviously with special emphasis on Alien³.
Astoundingly enough there is far less material about a male heterosexual approach to the movies.
Therefore, my task in this essay will be to look at the Alien movies – with a main focus on the original and the second part – from a different point of view.
(...)
1.1 ALIEN AND THE UNCANNY
Why is it that some things scare us, whereas other things do not bother us at all? One may look and find a possible answer to this question in Sigmund Freud’s treatise on the uncanny.
One aspect that might help is Freud’s assumptions that people always “experience the feeling [of the uncanny] in the highest degree in relation to death and dead bodies, to the return of the dead, and to spirits and ghosts.”
This notion becomes important when one takes a closer look at the Alien’s body. H.R. Giger’s creation consists to a great part of (humanlike) bones. The Alien’s chest looks like an uncovered human ribcage, while the legs look as if they just consist of muscles and veins with the outer skin stripped of (Fig.1).
(...)
2. THE MASCULINE ALIEN
All of the Alien movies – with a possible exception of Alien Resurrection – are full of metaphoric images. Many of them are due to artist H.R. Giger, who was mainly responsible for the creation of the foreign planet, spaceships and the Alien itself.
Most of those images are sexual connoted allegories. The chair-like construction of the alien pilot, for example, resembles an erect penis.
The same is true for the Alien itself, but although we find allegories for both genders throughout the movies, most of the theorists who wrote about them cling to the notion, that the foreign – the alien/Alien – is female.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Other than gender-related theories on Alien's terrifying appeal
- Alien and the Uncanny
- Alien and other aliens – Why they scare us ... do they?
- The masculine Alien
- The Face-Hugger
- The Chest-Buster
- Alien in its final stage
- The (female) Alien Queen
- Males and masculinity in The Alien-Trilogy
- Alien
- Ripley
- Aliens
- Armament
- The Marines
- Ripley
- Own Theory
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to examine the Alien movies, focusing on the original and the second part, from a perspective that goes beyond traditional gender theory interpretations. It will delve into the terrifying aspects of the Alien creature, exploring why it scares us, and how it relates to concepts like the uncanny.
- The Uncanny and the Alien's Appearance
- The Gendered Interpretation of the Alien
- Masculinity in the Alien Movies
- The Frightening Aspects of the Alien for a Male Audience
- The Gender Metamorphosis of Ellen Ripley
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction outlines the essay's objective to provide a unique perspective on the Alien movies, moving away from the typical focus on gender and femininity. It highlights the lack of research on a male heterosexual approach to the films.
Chapter 1 explores the uncanny aspects of the Alien's appearance, utilizing Sigmund Freud's theories to understand why the creature is terrifying. It also contrasts the Alien with other alien representations in popular culture, such as E.T., highlighting the differences in their appearance and the resulting impact on audience perception.
Chapter 2 delves into the masculinity of the Alien, examining the various stages of its life cycle, including the Face-Hugger, the Chest-Buster, the final stage, and the Alien Queen. It challenges traditional gendered interpretations of the creature, suggesting that a masculine perspective is equally valid.
Chapter 3 analyzes the role of males and masculinity within the Alien trilogy, focusing on the original and the second part. It examines the human male characters, their experiences in the films, and how their gender evolves throughout the narrative. The chapter also explores the gender transformation of Ellen Ripley and her journey in both films.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core concepts of the essay revolve around the Alien creature, its terrifying appeal, and its gendered interpretations. This includes exploring the uncanny, masculinity, and the role of gender in the context of the Alien movies. It also touches upon psychoanalysis, horror theory, and the representation of aliens in popular culture.
- Quote paper
- Rebecca Schuster (Author), 2006, Kane's Son. Males and Masculinity in 'Alien', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/83783
