Identities: Feminist theory and blog task

Identities: Feminist theory and blog task

1)

Beyonce's 'Why Don't You Love Me' video helps contribute to Butler's idea in that we see Beyonce herself partaking in actions that are part of this 'performance.' Throughout the video, we see her do things like clean, cook and do the laundry. The completion of household chores like this by a woman is something that within society, is deemed as a (traditional) norm. This is without mentioning the way in which she's shown in 'tight high-waisted knickers' and a 'vintage style bra' in obvious desire for the pleasure of a man. This is representative of how Beyonce is a 'performer' in the role that society have assigned to females.

2)

McRobbie would view Beyonce as an empowering role model for women as she radiates a sense of autonomy through her actions. In the scenes where we do see the artist wearing less, it could actually be looked at as a woman 'owning' her own body and making an active choice as to the way she presents herself.  Rather than 'submit to' a man telling her how to appear, she has ultimate control over her body.

3)

Personally I feel that the video manages to do both things in that while it empowers women, it does also reinforce their socially constructed roles they have in society. 'Why Don't You Love Me' presents Beyonce as a woman who has a good amount of autonomy to herself, taking pride in her own anatomy perhaps for her own sake as well as her love interest's. However not only does she show us conformation to the constructed roles that females have in society, but she inadvertently satisfies the desire of men which Laura Mulvey's male gaze explores. We see a woman that's presented in a way that benefits male audiences most which just reinforces what we traditionally see in society.