A Semiotic Analysis of The Bodyguard

A detailed Summary of A Semiotic Analysis of The Bodyguard

When watching The Bodyguard I realized that the film was made in the early 90s and I observed overt text that already has been uninhabitable. But considering the nature and length of this paper I will focus more on tacit and ideologically loaded text or text that has naturalized representations of prejudicial presumptions threaded through them that bas been excepted as "unquestioned assumptions" (Hall 20).

Specifically, through semiology, I will look at the film The Bodyguard through the critical lens of exoticism and analyze the structures of meaning and origin of the text (Van Zoonen 74). Exoticism embodies the sense of romanticized "otherness" or being foreign (Van Zoonen 82). It is often associated with images and ideologies of primitive, earthly, natural, savage and sexuality (Van Zoonen 84), Defined by bell hooks, exoticism is first and foremost marked by racial difference and closely connected to colonization. Black females are stereotypically portrayed as untrustworthy, "oversexed, sexual initiators and woman of experience" in The Bodyguard (hooks 56). Historically, the image of the exotic, especially the black female, "provided a wonderful occasion to fantasize about all that was forbidden..."(Van Zoonen 84).

By giving the audience no explanation for " I can't do this", the audience is presume that the silence of this intermingling of black and white promises impossible love (hooks 57).

Hooks, bell. Outlaw Culture Resisting Representations. New

The image of black woman cutting the air with the sword, a primitive tool of war, firstly and syntagmaticlly establishes her as a "wild savage". It sets her up to take the role of the seductress. For the "popular and widespread appeal of the image of the 'wild savage' feeds the western discourse of black female sexuality..." (Van Zoonen 84). Frank's complacency, as if getting a lap dance, Paradigmaticlly signifies Rachel's aggressive, oversexed mentality. For, even without any participation from Frank, the audience can see there is a courtship ritual occurring on the screen and Rachel is the instigator. This suggests that the overwhelming allure of Rachel is so intense that Frank is vulnerable and unable to resist (hooks). The sword signifies the marriage of sex and danger in exoticism (hooks 57) and the notion of deception. This is evidence of the "recurring references" to black women in media are continually seen as something to be feared and desired at the same time (V!

urthermore, in the film The Bodyguard exoticism is represented through the sexual relationship of Rachel and Frank. The film language, with signs and signifiers, represents Rachel as an exotic sexual trophy of conquest and that the relation ship she has with the white c

Some common words found in the essay are:
Van Zoonen, Frank Farmer, Stuart Hall, , Rachel Frank, van zoonen, black woman, London Sage, York Routledge, hooks 57, zoonen 84, Cited Hooks, sexuality van zoonen, film bodyguard, cultural studies, naturalized representations, black female, sexuality van, van zoonen 84, unquestioned assumptions,

Approximate Word count = 1009
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Movies