Sergio Leone, the well known Italian Western director, once criticized the woman’s role in the Hollywood Western as follows:
[T]he woman is imposed on the action, as a star, and is generally destined to be ‘had’ by the male lead. But she does not exist as a woman. […] Usually, the woman not only holds up the story, but she has no real character, no reality. She is a symbol. She is there without any reason to be there, simply because one must have a woman […].
(Leone quoted in Frayling 2006 : 129)
This critique of women in the American Western seems to imply that the Italian Leone himself tried to depict women differently in his Western movies: either to let them completely out or to provide them with a real character, with a reason to be in the film. Is his way of depicting women then prototypical for the other Italian Westerns? Is there maybe even a specific Italian way of representing gender roles in Western movies which is different from that of their American counterparts?
In general, Western movies have been harshly criticized for their depiction of women. Many authors have argued that the Western in general is a genre that focuses mainly on men and masculinity and leaves only small space with narrow stereotypes for women (see for example Mitchell 1996, Tompkins 1992, French 1997).
The research questions are:
1) Is there a difference in the gender depiction in Spaghetti Westerns and Hollywood Westerns?
2) If there is a difference, what are the reasons for this?
To answer these questions, different theories of gender in movies are addressed, in order to give an overview of the approaches towards such a topic. Afterwards, the Hollywood and Spaghetti Western in general, as well as the gender depictions in them will be theorized. As a first approach to explain the expected differences, the focus will be on the (visual) cultures of America and Italy. The last point in the theoretical section will deal with the connection between nation and gender because this may well be a crucial variable for the gender depiction in the different Western genres. In the following methodological section, the film analysis that is used to examine movies of the two genres will be explained.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Literature part
- 2.1. Some Introductory Notes about Gender
- 2.2. Gender and Movies
- 2.2.1. What is Feminist Film Theory?
- 2.2.2. The Male Gaze and Following Approaches
- 2.2.3. Cinema as Mediator of Patriarchal Ideology
- 2.3. Westerns and their Gender Roles
- 2.3.1. The Western – Background and Definition
- 2.3.2. The Western - The Male Genre
- 2.3.3. The Western - What Roles Do Women Play?
- 2.4. Differences in the (Visual) Culture of Italy and the USA
- 2.4.1. Hollywood versus European Visual Culture
- 2.4.2. What is “American” about the Hollywood Western?
- 2.4.3. How "Italian" is the Italian Western?
- 2.5. The Western, the Nation, and Gender
- 3. Method Part
- 3.1. Film Analysis
- 3.2. Sampling
- 3.3. Method Critique
- 4. Empirical Part
- 4.1. Hollywood Westerns
- 4.1.1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence
- 4.1.2. El Dorado
- 4.1.3. The Professionals
- 4.1.4. The War Wagon
- 4.2. Spaghetti Westerns
- 4.2.1. For a Fistful of Dollars
- 4.2.2. The Big Gundown
- 4.2.3. A Bullet for the General
- 4.2.4. Once upon a Time in the West
- 4.3. Comparison
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. Sources
- 6.1. Bibliography
- 6.2. Filmography
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to compare the depiction of gender roles in Hollywood Westerns and Italian Spaghetti Westerns. It investigates whether significant differences exist between the two genres and explores the potential reasons behind any such discrepancies. * Comparison of gender roles in Hollywood and Italian Westerns. * Analysis of the representation of women in both genres. * Examination of cultural and genre influences on gender portrayal. * The impact of the Western genre on the construction of national identity. * The role of film in the socialization of gender norms.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the thesis's central question: Are there differences in the portrayal of gender roles between Hollywood and Italian Westerns? It begins by quoting Sergio Leone's criticism of the stereotypical female roles in Hollywood Westerns, setting the stage for a comparative analysis. The introduction also establishes the importance of studying gender representation in film, highlighting its role in socialization and identity construction. The chapter emphasizes the lack of existing research comparing gender depictions across these two distinct Western subgenres, thereby justifying the present study.
2. Literature part: This section provides a comprehensive review of existing literature relevant to the thesis. It covers various aspects, including introductory notes on gender studies, feminist film theory, the "male gaze," and the Western genre's traditional gender roles. Subsections delve into the unique characteristics of the American and Italian Westerns, examining their cultural contexts and visual styles. The literature review also touches upon the intersection of gender, nation, and the Western genre, establishing a theoretical framework for the subsequent empirical analysis.
3. Method Part: This chapter details the methodology employed in the thesis. It outlines the approach to film analysis, explaining the methods used to systematically examine the selected films. The chapter also describes the sampling strategy, justifying the chosen films as representative of the two genres. Finally, it provides a critical assessment of the methodology's strengths and limitations, acknowledging potential biases or constraints.
4. Empirical Part: This chapter presents the empirical findings of the study, comparing the representation of gender roles in the chosen Hollywood and Spaghetti Westerns. It analyzes individual films within each category before presenting a comparative analysis, highlighting similarities and differences in the portrayal of male and female characters. This section forms the core of the thesis, providing concrete examples and evidence to support the study's arguments.
Keywords
Gender roles, Hollywood Westerns, Spaghetti Westerns, film analysis, feminist film theory, male gaze, cultural studies, national identity, gender representation, comparative analysis, socialization, media effects.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Roles in Hollywood and Italian Westerns
What is the main focus of this thesis?
This thesis conducts a comparative analysis of gender roles as depicted in Hollywood Westerns and Italian Spaghetti Westerns. It investigates whether significant differences exist between the two genres and explores the reasons for any discrepancies.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
The key themes include a comparison of gender roles in both genres; analysis of female representation; examination of cultural and genre influences on gender portrayal; the impact of the Western genre on national identity construction; and the role of film in socializing gender norms.
What is included in the "Table of Contents"?
The table of contents provides a structured overview of the thesis, encompassing an introduction, a literature review (including sections on gender studies, feminist film theory, and the specific characteristics of Hollywood and Italian Westerns), a methodology section, an empirical section analyzing specific films from both genres (including The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, El Dorado, For a Fistful of Dollars, etc.), a conclusion, and a bibliography and filmography.
What is the methodology used in the thesis?
The thesis employs film analysis to systematically examine the selected films. The sampling strategy focuses on films representative of both Hollywood and Spaghetti Western genres. The methodology section includes a critique of its strengths and limitations.
Which films are analyzed in the empirical part?
The empirical part analyzes several key films from both genres. Hollywood Westerns include The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, El Dorado, The Professionals, and The War Wagon. Spaghetti Westerns analyzed include For a Fistful of Dollars, The Big Gundown, A Bullet for the General, and Once Upon a Time in the West.
What is the purpose of the literature review?
The literature review provides a comprehensive background on gender studies, feminist film theory, the "male gaze," and the traditional gender roles within the Western genre. It specifically examines the unique cultural contexts and visual styles of American and Italian Westerns, establishing a theoretical framework for the empirical analysis.
What are the key findings or arguments presented in the conclusion?
The conclusion summarizes the findings of the comparative analysis, highlighting the similarities and differences in the portrayal of male and female characters in Hollywood and Spaghetti Westerns. It likely offers insights into the cultural and genre influences shaping gender representation in these films.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include gender roles, Hollywood Westerns, Spaghetti Westerns, film analysis, feminist film theory, male gaze, cultural studies, national identity, gender representation, comparative analysis, socialization, and media effects.
What is the overall objective of this academic work?
The overarching objective is to compare and contrast the depiction of gender roles in Hollywood and Italian Westerns, identifying significant differences and exploring their underlying causes. This contributes to a deeper understanding of how gender is constructed and represented within specific film genres and cultural contexts.
- Quote paper
- MA Manuela Beyer (Author), 2007, Shooting (a) Woman - Comparative Study of Gender Roles in American and Italian Western Movies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/89432
