Rear Window and the Representation of Gender

A detailed Summary of Rear Window and the Representation of Gender

For this piece I intend to look at the representation of gender within the film Rear Window (Hitchcock, USA,1954) and how this relates to moral and social ethics of both the present day and when the film was made.

In Rear Window, the representation of femininity, is a traditionally misogynist point of view for the bulk of the film. From the opening scenes, it is instantly apparent that Hitchcock is indulging in a typical male fantasy of voyeurism. One of the first shots we see, is that of Miss Torso, aptly named by Stewart's character due to her constant dancing and parading around in her apartment in little clothing. The very moniker itself, Miss Torso, can be perceived as a metaphor for Hitchcock's allegedly misogynist nature, alluding to an underlying meaning that can be interpreted as a woman is no more than a body, and is only there for the pleasure of men. The voyeur element is again apparent very early on, when two women are seen to be removing their tops to sunbathe, and a helicopter looms above, giving the pilot the perfect view of what is below.

From this, the camera pans across a array of photograph's, obviously taken by Stewart's character, Jefferies, immediately conjuring up images of Jeffries action man

Another of the supporting characters gives us a further look at how females are represented within this film. In the character of Miss Lonelyheart, we have someone who is desperate for male attention, to the point of pretending to have dinner with an imaginary suitor. Even when things go wrong on a date, and she is seriously contemplating suicide, it is the music of a man that saves her. Through this character, it is as though Hitchcock is suggesting that all women want and need is a man in their lives to feel complete.

both have started to believe in Jeffries murder theory, as both begin as sceptics. They come together at the end of the film, almost as two sides of the same coin, Stella representing the more realistic, practical side. This is demonstrated when Jeffries says of Miss Torso, "She certainly is the eat, drink and be merry kind of girl." To which Stella replies, "She'll end up fat, alcoholic and miserable."

marriage would interfere with his work. The third facet is an extension of the second, as deep down, Jeffries does not believe he is good enough for Lisa. She is stunningly

Some common words found in the essay are:
Miss Torso, Jeffries Lisa, Jeffries Lisa's, Grace Kelly, Miss Lonelyheart, Stella That's, Lisa Lisa's, Rear Window, Miss Fremont, Jeffries Hitchcock, miss torso, rear window, jeffries apartment, film rear window, doyle leering, jeffries hitchcock, jeffries action, apartment doyle, feminine intuition, negative image, jeffries apartment doyle, apartment doyle leering, visit jeffries apartment, visit jeffries,

Approximate Word count = 1403
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Rear Window and the Representation of Gender

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