Analysis of the Male Gaze in Jennifer's Body

In this scene from Jennifer's Body (2009) the male gaze is constructed through the use of camera angles, as the use of the two shot allows a male audience to have scopophilic gratifications, as they are voyeurs who take an interest into the the two characters. Though the use of the inter deigetic gaze is signified in the scene, as Jennifer (Megan Fox) looks at
at Needy Lesnicky (Amanda Seyfried) more seductively in the over the shoulder shot. By using the over the shoulder shot, the audience can identify with Needy, as she is shocked to find a girl sleeping next to her in bed.

In this way, a male audience can gain sexual gratifications, as the women are sharing a passionate kiss which could connote sexual innuendo. Therefore, the men can be signified as being dominant in the text. Though, the use of the female gaze allows women to be voyeurs, as they can identify with the women and have voyeuristic pleasures, as Jennifer and Needy are allowed to be more permissive and liberal. As Jennifer kisses Needy in a close up shot, a homosexual audience may gain sexual pleasures as they women's hidden desires are let loose. The use of the high key lighting connotes passion, as the women are alone together.

Though the taboo and apprehensions are quelled in this scene, as Needy succumbs to temptation and enjoys her homosexual moment, as she is signified in a close up shot, where she is on top of Jennifer, which connotes how she is able to be dominant and unleash her sexual urges. In addition, Jennifer's legs are fethishised as she wraps her legs around Needy in a medium shot which connotes how she is a predator who traps women and is more powerful in that respect.

Interestingly, Needy's hair is fetishized, as Jennifer caresses her hair, which connotes that Jennifer is more promiscuous and craves for danger and passion, as she seemingly 'pounces' on Needy, as she is fairly represented as the stereotypical geeky girl who hasn't experience sex and is seemingly being sexually liberated by Jennifer. The use of the extreme close up of Jennifer and Needy kissing allows the male audience to be in control, as they may have voyeuristic pleasures out of seeing women kissing and eventually locking in a passionate embrace. In reference to Mulvey's article, Jennifer has oral fixations, as she licks the inside of Needy's mouth in a close up shot which connotes passion and eroticism.

As well as this, the high angle shot of Needy and Jennifer relates to the male gaze, as the audience have scopohilic pleasure out of watching the women in a passionate moment. The use of lingerie connotes how the women are sexually provocative and promiscuous.

However, the male gaze is seemingly interrupted, as the close up shot of Jennifer lifting Needy's top raises the male gaze, as the women are about to have sex. Needy's slender back is dismembered and fetishized, as Jennifer caresses her back which connotes physical attraction and passion.

However the audience expectations are subverted, as Needy instantly is cathartic of her first 'lesbian' experience, as she is unwilling to have sex. The angry reaction of Needy connotes frustration and emotional guilt, as she believes she is being more immoral in having relationships with a woman and is aware of her self objectification, as she is not persuaded to have sex.

In many ways, Jennifer is more dominant in the scene, as signified in the medium shot where she says "I have the cops in my back pocket", this connotes how she is more confident and dominant due to her power over the police. What's more, Jennifer is represented as being supernatural and immortal, as the camera tilts down to the close up shot of Jennifer cutting her arm and it healing by itself signifies how Jennifer is more invincible and sinister, as she poses a threat to women and is represented as the Proppian villain. The over the shoulder shot signifies Needy's shock at seeming the wound heal, which is quite weird, as humans would not be able to heal that quickly. Alongside this, the non deigetic sound of the calm violin and sound effect of the skin healing signifies Needy's shock at Jennifer, as she does not seem to be who she says she is.

In regards to this scene, audiences such as postfeminists may have negotiated readings with the text , as Jennifer is represented as quite androgynous and dominant, as she has the power to heal and tempts women into her supposed trap. Though, other audiences may have oppositional readings to the text, as women are dominant and men are subordinated, which makes men seem more vulnerable.

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