Vertigo: Social/Political Contexts

Question 1

What was the social situation regarding gender roles?

Answer 1

There was an attempt to return to traditional gender roles in the USA post-WW2.

Question 2

What was the ‘crisis of masculinity’?

Answer 2

The effect of the psychological trauma men had experienced from the war and their perceived ‘emasculation’ as a result.

Question 3

What was the political situation of the USA?

Answer 3

Due to the Cold War between the west and the USSR, there were concerns over the threat of Russian invasion, known as the ‘Red Scare’; which led to a rise in McCarthyism

Question 4

Who was asked to change their name whilst under contract to Columbia?

Answer 4

Kim Novak: She had to change her name from ‘Marilyn’ to ‘Kim’ but refused to change her Polish surname.