Vagina Dentata and The Thing

An important aspect of the film The Thing is that it has no female roles. And, as discussed in class, at times "The Thing" seems to resemble what we called vagina dentata, or a vagina with teeth. I can't help but think that because of the lack of women present, this represented the female sex.

What does the film The Thing say about the female sex?

By not putting any females in similiar roles like that of the other male scientists, it almost seems like they are saying women can't do jobs like that. They are in freezing temperatures, doing manly things like using flame throwers, drinking, and flying helicopters. The Thing itself is literally a man-eater. It takes the place of the lack of females in the movie. These men are terrified of this creature that resembles a vagina. Kristeva speaks of this fear of women and reproduction in her article "The Powers of Horror"

If The Thing is a vagina, what role does the flame thrower have?

As discussed in class- the flame thrower is obviously phallic. The only way to kill something like The Thing is to light it on fire, really? However, I'm sure anything they would have decided to use would be seen as phallic ( a gun, an ax, etc). The Flame thrower was nothing but an extension of these men.

What effect does bringing this shape shifter into their camp have on the men?

John Carpenter plays on how people feel about their role in a society as well as who they really are. In the end, no one can be trusted- not even the audience is sure if Kurt Russell's character has been affected. The men are no longer, a doctor, a blood handler, helicopter pilot etc. They are human or alien. They no longer have specific roles.

Ma Vie En Rose

What is the effect of using Ludo's childlike daydreams in Ma Vie En Rose?

I believe, and I'm sure many of you agree, that daydreams are a great way to get away for a little bit. In the case of Ludo, he used his fantasies as a way to live the way he desired-as a girl. He was able to split himself into two people. The person his mother and father wanted him to be, and the person he knew he was. This is obvious when Ludo is caught wearing a dress and trying to marry the neighbor boy. His mother drags him home by his arm as he list-fully stares up at his other self wearing a dress and flying- getting to be what he wants.

What role does the grandmother play in Ludo's life?

She plays a crucial role in Ma Vie En Rose. She accepts her grandson and doesn't question him. She was the one to suggest letting him wear a skirt. She teaches him to go to a secret place when he is sad-which is a big thing Ludo learns. Ludo's parents and other adults don't understand him and to have somewhere to go where he is understood and loved is important.

What effect does Ludo playing two parts and what does his family's support (and lack there of) have on him?

Ludo knows that he cannot keep trying to be a girl, so he tries to be like his brothers. ( think of the scene where he "adjusts" himself in the mirror) so he does what Schiavi writes as the moment where "boys become extremely watchful, carefully monitoring how other boys act" (10). You can tell Ludo thinks its ridiculous though, and so does the audience. We sympathize with him, almost wanting to hug him and say, "you don't have to be something you are not" which is a bit ironic. His father is very supportive of Ludo at first, but its not until the end when they are dancing that the audience starts to empathize with the father. It would be very challenging for a father to accept that his son didn't want to be a boy, but this scene shows that he has.

Far From Heaven- Are you in good hands?

What is the significance of showing the "idealistic family" crumbling to pieces in Far From Heaven?

So your husband is having an affair- with a man, many men. What do you do? In the case of Cathy Whitaker, she ignores it. Her husband and her have worked so hard all of these years to create their image that they are willing to let it go. The first time she catches him. However, after meeting and enjoying the company of her gardener,Raymond, Cathy has an epiphany-thank God. Even perfect families have their secrets and without addressing them, there will always be a loser.

What is the significance of the way each character is portrayed in Far From Heaven?
Cathy is busy busy busy, her home phone is always ringing and she's signing up for this and that, all while raising two children without much help from her husband. Once she finds out that her husband is gay, she maintains her perfect image for as long as she can. She has immersed herself so deeply into this "role" as wife, mother and philanthropist that she can't let anyone know anything is wrong. She is accepting of her black gardener when even her best friend judges her for befriending him.
Frank is also busy, but he's also very unhappy about the lie he leads. He's always in the shadows, keeping to himself at parties while Cathy entertains. He doesn't interact with his children and sends them away as soon as they would like to tell him something. He only cares about his image to others and freaks out when Cathy mentions anything troubling. This way of portraying a husband seems to be that all they do is work, stress out, drink, and occasionally hit their wives and don't take any of the blame for it.
Raymond isn't bound by racial ties until he very publicly grabs Cathy's arm and is called "boy" and then when his daughter is hit by a rock by some boys. The role he plays is an important notion about racism. Cathy was willing to be with him, but he just knew they couldn't.

What does Far From Heaven say about racism and homophobia?

I think that as an audience member, I found the ways each character handled either homophobia or racism was a bit unbelievable. Mostly because in my generation, these two topics are existing less and less. But in terms of the film, it is just like any other film taking place in this time period. Cathy had a perfect family on the outside and when put under the microscope it revealed some pretty sad stuff. She couldn't even tell her best friend about Frank. When it came to Raymond, rumors were flying around that they were an item and that was so taboo- Again, her friend asked her about it and was so relieved when Cathy said they weren't together. However, when she said Raymond and her were friends, Eleanor couldn't stand it.

One scene that stands out to me is the one at the pool. A little black boy dips his feet into what is apparently an all-white pool. Everyone gets out, mother's grab their children saying its time to go. Its as if it is unclean to be black.

Just admit that you can't see! (Dancer in the Dark)

First, I just want to say, Dancer in The Dark was surprisingly good. I had only heard bad things about Bjork's voice, but I really enjoyed it. That's all.

What was the effect of the "musical ballads" in Dancer in the Dark?

Bjork's character,Selma, was already a little spacey, but when the musical numbers were added in, she completely secluded herself in these daydreams. The effect was to show that if she just had music, a bad situation isn't all that bad. She's going blind? Sing about it to the sounds of a train or a factory. She's going to be put to death? Sing Christmas carols in your jail cell.

What was significant about the last scene in Dancer in the Dark and how was this musical number different?

For once, Selma was in a situation that she couldn't escape from. She sang outloud to those who were about to witness her death. I found this very interesting, because it seemed as though before when she sang nobody knew she was in that fantasy land. This situation was death and so it made it much more real that she was singing (although I don't know too many people who would sing right before they are hung).

What was the significance of making Selma a well liked character and how does Marx fit in?

Everyone was willing to help Selma out, yet she wanted to do it all on her own. Bill betrays her trust and STILL she does not betray his, Jeff always offers her a ride, but she refuses, she is given a chance to escape the death penalty looming but also refuses because it will prevent her son from getting the surgery. I think Selma's unselfish nature opens the audience up to her. She is a loner, but is loved by everyone around her. Sometimes this way of living tends to get you screwed over- in the situation with Bill especially. Marx talks of alienation and how we estrange ourselves from each other and I think Selma does this because she doesn't want her friends and family to know her real troubles.

What was the effect on the audience by filming with a hand held camera?

By using less tricks and gimics to make this film, Lars von Treir makes the audience feel like they are there. Watching Selma walk home on the train tracks put us in her shoes. Being in the room with Bill and Selma as Bill takes her money makes us want to yell, "SELMA! HE'S HERE! IN THE ROOM WITH US!" We are helpless just like Selma and I believe that to be the point of Dancer in the Dark

Don't mind me, I'm just creepin on you -Rear Window

"The cinema offers a number of possible pleasures. One is Scopohilia (pleasure in looking). There are circumstances in which looking itself is a source of pleasure" Laura Mulvey writes in her chapter called "Visual Pleasure and narrative cinema". In the case of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, scopohilia is a main idea.

What is the significance of the audience's role as well as "looking" in Rear Window?
L.B. Jeffries participates ina voyeurism that also invite the audience to join in. We take a look through the lens just as much as L.B. does. We feel uneasy about it, but we can't look away. I don't think anyone can say that they wouldn't take part-especially with such interesting neighbors. Alfred Hitchcock almost says to the audience "Here you go, do my job" He takes shots where at one point, Jeffries is holding the camera and then swings it around to make it as if he has placed the camera into our hands. By doing so, the audience and the main character are one.

What is the effect of Hitchcock allowing us to participate?
Hitchcock presents a sort of tension that had me biting my nails. He even uses the effect of sound just as much as sight. Lack of sound is important too- while watching the neighbors with Jeffries, we have to include our own assumptions about what is going on. The murder of Thorwald's wife, the dog, and even what the men are saying to "Miss Torso".

What is the effect of using sights, sounds, and even lack there of in the film?

Once again, tension plays a big role here. When Jeffries is caught watching Thorwald (and the audience too! So nerve wracking!) We see Thorwald leave his apartment and just know he is heading straight for us. Then the power goes out. All the audience and their accomplice, L.B. hear are Thorwald's footsteps. The result is a high state of panic, especially because L.B. is stuck in his wheelchair.

Mulvey writes, "...the look is central to the plot, oscillating between voyeurism and fetishistic fascination. Hitchcock has never concealed his interest in voyeurism,cinematic or non-cinematic" (386).

Persepolis and Epileptic

When comparing and contrasting Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, and David B's Epileptic, the only similiarities I could find were that they are both in black and white, and that they are both telling a story of a childhood. So my question is, what is the effect of the way each author tells their story that makes them different?


First, let's look at Persepolis. The author illustrates her panels with few detail and for the most part, everyone looks the same ( but maybe with a different expression, like the picture above). I think the signifigance of the way this novel was drawn let's the reader focus on the story of Satrapi's war-filled childhood. She [Satrapi] sticks to the traditional paneling throughout except when there is death, war, or something little Marjane is thinking about (i.e. the tortures of her parents' friend, Ahmadi on Page51. There are no borders on this panel which give it that daydream like state that I have so often mentioned in blog posts before).

How does the lack of detail (the art, not the story itself) help the reader focus on the story, and what comes out of the novel as a whole when the drawings are subtle? The author begins her story so young and naive. In class, we discussed a lot about identity and how Marjane "found" hers. However, I believe the form and style of Persepolis suggests missing out on a childhood. As we all know,by the end of the book, Marjane is sent away. What stands out to me here, is that she was always so outspoken and ready to argue with her parents,until the moment on page 148 where she says: "At that point, I started to have my doubts. Why say such things if they were coming too?" Not only is Marjane forced to grow up quickly because of the things she has experienced, but she also has to do it for her own well-being. Call that finding your identity if you will, but by showing this progression into adulthood, Marjane tells a wonderful, moving story without using too many abstract ideas or drawings.

Speaking of abstract ideas and drawings, let's move into Epileptic. As mentioned earlier, Epileptic is also in black and white like Persepolis. However, this story is effective because of its artwork. How is David B's artwork effective in telling the story?We are told that black and white is what many comics use as to not take away from a story. In the case of Epileptic though, without the detail of little Pierre-Francois's drawings of battles, his intricate daydreams as well as monsters, one would not understand the struggles that accompany an illness like epilepsy.
What is the significance of the abstract ideas and drawings (i.e. monsters, samurai wars, etc)?
In looking at the picture at the beginning of this post, I would argue that Pierre-Francois feels like he needs to protect his family from this disease that is wearing them down. He is in full samurai armor as well as the central figure in this picture. but who is protecting him?However, his brother is nowhere to be seen. Often times, when Jean-Christophe is present in a picture there is a monster lurking in the background...

What is the effect of the "monster" that is drawn when Jean-Christophe is having a seizure or angry about his illness?I think that the author uses these abstract images as a way of dealing. in the beginning of the book, Pierre-Francois is always ready for his brother to have an attack and defends him when others pick on him (Jean-Christophe). As the novel progresses though, Jean-Christophe gets more and more taken over by this monster epilepsy and I think David B is representing that the boy who used to be his best friend is no more.

Finally, how is Epileptic an effective story but still different from Persepolis?Epileptic deals with a topic of illness and the struggles that a family must try to deal with. In writing this story, David B successfully illustrates how his worries and pain had to be put on the back-burner for the well-being of his family. In Persepolis, we are introduced to a little girl growing up during a war and under a strict regime her parents did not believe in. The way this story is different is that it is more focused on informing the reader of the time as well as showing a progression of a little girl, growing up and becoming more and more knowledgeable of her surroundings.Epileptic by David B. does not try to inform the reader of the illness by giving definitions or facts, but with intricate drawings straight from the mind of a young child witnessing the effects of epilepsy on his family as well as himself.

McCloud, Sandman, and even a little V for Vendetta

When I began reading Neil Gaiman's, Sandman, the form and style of the pages and panels themselves are what really stood out to me. After I finished, I asked myself, what was the effect or significance of the lack of traditional paneling? In McCloud's Understanding Comics, he asks, "Can emotions be made visible?" (Pg. 118). In the case of Sandman, the answer to McCloud’s question is a definite yes. McCloud also writes, “ The idea that a picture can evoke an emotional or sensual response in the viewer is vital to the art of comics” (pg 119). The art gives a feeling of being in a dream/free falling throughout most of the story. At some points I even found myself reading a page out of order which was confusing. Then I would have to go back and read it again. Much like when one dreams, the events can be somewhat confusing and out of order.

What is the significance of the colors used in Sandman? I was discussing this volume with a fellow classmate and remember saying that this book made me think of a thunderstorm. The use of purples, black, greens, and blues are the main reason for me saying it. As a story about the dream realm,I think the artists wanted the reader to feel like it was nighttime, a time when one usually dreams. However, because the dream realm had been disturbed, the colors seem a bit scarier and more powerful.

What is the significance of an idea, thought, or dream in Sandman? While Dream himself was captured, the world of dreams began to deteriorate. The villain in the story, Dr. Destiny, asks Rosemary what she thinks dreams are made of. She replies that they are just dreams. He comes back with this statement which I think encapsulates the story’s main idea: “People think dreams aren’t real because they aren’t made of matter, of particles Dreams are real. but they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns, and lost hopes…(pg 148). Humans are always thinking, always worrying, and always wishing for something. I think its also important to mention the scene with Dream and the demon in hell that reiterates this point. Dream is challenged by the demon, and they are going back and forth thinking of one powerful thing after another, when it comes to the demon saying, “ I am anti-life, the beast of judgement, I am the dark at the end of everything. The end of the universes, gods, worlds…of everything…” to which Dream replies with, “I am hope”(Pg125). Saying this, Dream defeats the Demon and gets his helmet back.

From the above question, one can go further and ask what is the significance of an idea, thought or dream in V for Vendetta as well. When Evey thinks she is being held captive and tortured, she survives because of the letter from Valerie. Valerie writes that her integrity, “that one inch” and “in that one inch we are free” (Pg 156). Even in a time of despair V for Vendetta seems to be saying that an idea of something, something abstract can help you through. Much like the idea of hope overcame the demon’s challenge of the end of the world in Sandman. Without dreams, hopes, desires, and thought, one cannot survive and I think that is what a lot of these two stories (Sandman and V for Vendetta) are about.