Midterm writing assignment
Analyzing "the gaze" through these texts: "Under Western Eyes", "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" and Berger, Chapter 3. All texts are in your reader.
Paper length 5-7 pages, 12 point, double spaced
Due: March 27
Questions or clarifications; meet to discuss?--contact me

Compare these three essays:
1) Mulvey, Laura. "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema"
2)Berger, John. Ways of Seeing, Chapter 3
3)Spurr, David. "Surveillance, Under Western Eyes."

In Chapter3 by Berger, he explains the ways in which the conventions used in Renaissance paintings of the "nude" are still present in the visual representations of women today. Your assignment is to compare all three essays, making special note of how the forms, conventions or tropes of representation in film, painting and literature powerfully influence our modes of visuality and construct us as spectators. How is visuality as a tool of power and control discussed in each? How does the person being seen become an object of sight or become objectified through the gaze? Ultimately, what effect can this have on those who are seen as objects? What are the ways suggested to break with these objectifying models of representation? Each essay suggests ways to escape socialized ways of seeing. This paper should be approximately 5-7 pages in length. Use quotes from all three readings to create your argument. You may also include scenes from "Rear Window" as well as other images to support your argument (you may insert images into your paper). Be specific in your examples, using the films from our class as well as other images from popular culture such movies, tv, print, etc. You can also bring in examples and ideas from other essays, such as "Female Transgression" by Kipnis, and the tapes we viewed in class associated with that essay and discussion.