Rear Window is a great interpretation of the issues of gender, gaze and privacy. Filmed during the 50’s, it represents the worlds view on the roles a gender must conform to. This film also shows the effects of interpretation of a situation and how this interpretation may be seen as an invasion of privacy.
Back in the 50’s, men were to be the providers while women were to be the care givers. This can be seen in the beginning of the movie when Jeffries is home after being injured on the job and his girlfriend, Lisa, visits him. She is a very attractive woman, comes from the upper class and enjoys the finer things in life. Her dream is for Jefferies to marry her and to live a comfortable life together. This fits into the vision of the ‘male gaze’ (Practices of Looking, 124). To the audience, ( remember this was made in the 50’s) men took pleasure in seeing a perfect woman, dressed to the nines and concerned about becoming a wife. The male role was seen in Mr. Thorwald. Before the murder of his invalid wife, he would take care of her and make sure she had everything she needed. These gender stereotypes were broken in the film by Lisa providing Jefferies with evidence and support and Mr. Thorwald stopped proving for his wife and killed her.
Now to the gaze in general. The gaze is created “through a relationship of subjects defined within and through the discourses of institutions” (Practices of Looking, 104).This can be seen when Jefferies observes his neighbors actions and discusses them with Lisa and Stella. Like when was talking about Ms. Lonely Heart, the dancer lady, and Mr. Thorwald. These discussions lead into further discussions and make each character form opinions on those situations.
This then leads to the issue of privacy. When is someone intrusive and when is it just a concerned neighbor. Peeping in on another’s personal life is very intrusive in my opinion). I think that when there is a possibility of someone getting in trouble or hurt that you should look further into the situation. Everybody eavesdrops a little, it is what they do with that little bit of information that makes it good or bad.
This brings up Stella’s comment on how people today are peeping toms and that they should step out and look at themselves. I completely agree with this observation because there are too many people out there that will criticize others and will make judgments on them when they themselves are the ones who need the criticism. What I mean is that people need to realize that they are being judged too, and by putting their nose into another’s business, they are damaging their own face.
Rear Window is an overall great movie to observe the concepts of gender, gaze and privacy.
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