Literary schools of opinion Flashcards
(15 cards)
How does Billy Elliot challenge traditional gender norms in dance?
The film presents dance as a space traditionally associated with femininity. It challenges the idea that dance is exclusively for women, showing Billy’s struggle against societal expectations that equate dance with queerness or femininity, thus threatening conventional masculinity.
According to Cynthia Weber, how does Mulvey’s theory of cinematic spectatorship apply to Billy Elliot?
Mulvey argues that “to-be-looked-at-ness” is traditionally embodied by women in film, while men are not objects of the gaze. However, Billy Elliot disrupts this dynamic by making Billy, a boy, the subject of the audience’s gaze through his dance sequences.
What does the phrase “real men do not dance” suggest in the context of Billy Elliot?
It reflects societal attitudes that equate dance with femininity or queerness. Men who dance are often labelled as “poofs” (a derogatory term for gay men), reinforcing rigid ideas of masculinity that exclude artistic self-expression.
What is the central conflict in Billy’s life, as presented in the film?
The tension between Billy’s desire to pursue ballet and his family’s and community’s expectations that he engage in more traditionally masculine activities, such as boxing or coal mining.
What does the surrealistically oversized wallpaper in Billy’s bedroom symbolize?
It represents the overwhelming nature of Billy’s emotions, dreams, and the constraints placed upon him by his environment, including his home, social class, and gender expectations.
How does the surrealistic scale of the wallpaper contribute to the film’s themes?
The exaggerated size of the wallpaper suggests that Billy’s passion and energy cannot be contained within the limits imposed by his working-class background, rigid gender roles, and family pressures.
How does the cinematography emphasize Billy’s struggle for self-expression?
The camera initially focuses on fragmented shots of Billy’s dancing body—his shoulder, chest, hand, foot, and face—before pulling back to reveal his full, energetic movement, symbolizing his gradual emergence from societal constraints.
What does the contrast between Billy’s bedroom and the kitchen represent?
The colourful, lively atmosphere of Billy’s bedroom contrasts with the kitchen, which represents the mundane, restrictive, and traditional aspects of his home life. This visual contrast reinforces Billy’s internal conflict between personal passion and external expectations.
Why does the film not fully feminize Billy, despite his passion for dance?
The film carefully avoids presenting Billy as overtly feminine or queer by portraying his dancing body as either masculine or childlike, ensuring that he remains relatable to a broader audience and avoiding direct challenges to heteronormativity.
How does the film infantilize Billy, and why is this significant?
Billy is often portrayed as a child rather than a gendered subject, which prevents his dancing from being seen as overtly sexual or queer. This allows the film to explore gender and masculinity without fully confronting or challenging conservative audience expectations.
How does Billy’s family function as a social body representing lack and excess?
The Elliot family lacks a mother and a functioning grandmother, which leads to an excess of feminine-coded activities in Billy’s life, such as cooking and caregiving. This feminization of Billy contributes to the film’s central crisis of masculinity.
What broader social body in Billy Elliot also follows the axis of lack/excess?
The striking mining community, which experiences a lack of adequately paid work, leading to excessive state violence and unrest. This mirrors the Elliot family’s struggles and reinforces themes of economic hardship and resistance.
What role does Mrs. Wilkinson play in Billy’s journey
As Billy’s ballet teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson acts as a surrogate mother figure, nurturing his talent and encouraging him to pursue his dreams despite his family’s disapproval. She provides the support that his home environment lacks.
How does the film present masculinity in crisis?
While Billy’s love for ballet might suggest a crisis of masculinity, the film subverts expectations by showing that it is not Billy who struggles with masculinity but rather his father and brother, who must come to terms with new definitions of manhood.
Why is Billy Elliot considered a coming-of-age film beyond just gender identity?
The film is not only about Billy’s gender expression but also about his social and economic struggles, personal growth, and pursuit of his dreams in a world that initially refuses to accept him.
