Representations In One Flew Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is Nicholson’s representation of McMurphy a metaphor for?
America’s ideological conception of itself as the ‘land of freedom.’
Is it likely that the film would interrogate/challenge traditional representations of masculinity?
No, it is unlikely.
What traditional notions of masculinity are shown within the film?
Partying, Sports, Violence, Romance, Fishing, Influential figure.
Are the representations of masculinity in OFOTCN more complex than this?
Yes.
What may some argue is bought about by female empowerment through second wave feminism?
A crisis of masculinity.
What does McMurphy refuse to do and What does he do instead?
He refuses to conform to emasculation and challenges matriarchal oppression bringing the other inmates alongside him.
What scene is a good example of an attempt to restore masculine power?
Billy’s date with Candy.
How does the film form show this as something to celebrate?
Cut aways to the other men smiling. Pleonastic sound of clapping and banging of pots/pans show this is something celebratory.
What can McMurphy’s attack on Nurse Ratched be seen as?
Another attempt to restore masculine power when confronted by an oppressive woman.
How are spectators positioned to feel she deserves punishing in the attack scene?
The narrative means that the audience understands the motivation for McMurphy’s attack.
How are spectators positioned to feel that this is immoral in the attack scene?
Shot in McMurphy’s POV: Gives a close up of Nurse Ratched being strangled and is reminiscent of McMurphy’s electroshock scene.
Are the other representations of women in the film as equally problematic?
Yes.
What is the first representation of women in OFOTCN?
Like Nurse Ratched; cold, cruel and unfeeling in their devotion to inhumane therapies.
What is the second representation of women in OFOTCN?
Like McMurphy’s ‘girlfriend’ Candy and her Friend; pretty, dumb and easily manipulated by men around them.
How does film form make candy an object of the male gaze in the boat scene?
She is framed within a frame, a medium long shot of Martini’s POV - She is trapped by the Male Gaze.
A prominent role was given to a black actor, what did he have? (Sam)
Narrative function, lines and were credited in the titles.
How is there a sense of power asymmetry between Rick and Sam?
Ilsa calls sam ‘boy’ and Sam calls Rick ‘Mr Richard’
The indigenous population is largely written out, what does this mean?
Different ethnicities are absent; this is a white story.
What stereotypes are present? (Ethnicity)
Street vendors looking to rip off Europeans but North Africans are largely absent.
What did the abandonment of the production code make possible?
To depict mixed race relationships.
Was the representation of a mixed race relationship in OFOTCN a positive one?
No.
What are the depictions of minority groups like?
Uniformly stereotypical and oppressive in its macho depictions.
What are the two types of orderlies? (Ward workers)
Washington type: Enjoys inflicting physical punishments on the men, enters power struggle with McMurphy.
Turkle type: An older, submissive black male who is able to be bought with booze and white women.
What is the exception to these stereotypes?
Chief.
