A Marxist Approach to Music Videos

Aims of lesson:-To consolidate understanding of gender

representation- To explore Marxism as a critical perspective.

Recapping Gender Representation

How are men usually represented in music videos?

How are women usually represented in music videos?

What are the arguments surrounding feminist film theory?

What does Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory suggest?

What do post-feminists argue?

A Counter Example: Missy Elliott

• Rejects conventional representations of women – free from objectification

• Does not to conform to stereotypical gender representations

• Missy is not passive; she ‘narrates’ the action – lyrics are not self exploiting

A Counter Example: Missy Elliott’s IMAGE

• Androgyny: Masculine codes of movement, stance & dress – man tailored suits/shirt & tie/dungarees/army wear

• Video’s subvert gender codes – use of male dancers; Missy displays a ‘male’ persona – drives fast car, wears the ‘bling’ etc.

• Body image refuses to conform to idealised female stereotypes – Missy is literally inflated in one video (Supa Dupa Fly – RIGHT)

Questions for your analysis of music videos • Briefly summarise the narrative of this text. Draw upon the lyrics.• In what ways are women represented in the text? Is there evidence of

stock stereotypes e.g. the dominatrix, sex kitten, femme fatale etc.• How are men represented in the text and what stereotypes are associated

with them?• How far are gender stereotypes confirmed and / or subverted? Explain

why stereotypes may have been used.• Discuss how far the mise en scene and iconography used reinforces the

representations. • How might female audiences respond to this text?• Who is the target audience? How does the text gratify this audience?• How far if the text conventional of its genre? Is the text successful?

Explain.

Critical Perspectives: Marxism

Activity: Read through the handout and highlight the key points.

Quick questions:1) What is meant by dominant ideology? Give an

example.2) According to Marxists, what role does the media

play in society?3) What is hegemony? Give an example of this.

Marxist AnalysisGoldie’s Inner City Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8u7MNG-ug8

AnalysisUse the points below to help you analysis the video. You must

use examples from the text to back up your responses.1) Explain the video’s narrative.2) Describe the setting and mise en scene. What is the effect

this?3) What messages are evident in the text? Would Marxists argue

that these are positive, realistic messages or otherwise?4) Does this text maintain or challenge hegemonic control (the

status quo)? Explain.5) Who is the target audience for this text?6) What audience gratifications are evident in the video?

PlenaryWhat does a Marxist reading of a text require you to do or focus

on?What are dominant ideologies based upon?What is meant by hegemonic control?