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.
I really like your point about stripping the characters of their roles, I hadn't thought of that before. I also think that it is interesting that you seem to suggest that The Thing is filling in a sort of feminine vacuum in the film. It assumes that there must be a representation of the feminine, which has great implications for interpreting this film.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is interesting to look at the way the thing can infect others. looking at this through the lense of kristeve and abjection we can really get a good look at how the men react when they believe one of their own is defiled.
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