Feminism

‘Why Don’t You Love Me [Music Video]?’

1) How might this video contribute to Butler’s idea that gender roles are a ‘performance’?

The video produces this theme throughout as Beyonce is the one who is cleaning up the house but performing that role of being attractive by the use of certain clothing being worn. Even the props used such as clothing that Beyonce wears further intensifies the argument that she is seen as a performer as she is wearing clothes that play a part in the sexual attraction that the viewer will view.

2) Would McRobbie view Beyonce as an empowering role model for women? Why?

This will be seen as reinforcing the idea of Bulter rather than McRobbie's view of 'empowering'. However, there are some aspects in the video where it can be seen that Beyonce is empowering women. Scene's where she is seen being a mechanic, is seen as a sense of masculinity and showing a woman doing a male job can be seen as reinforcing McRobbie's view. 

3) What are your OWN views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ (Mulvey)?

I think that Beyonce is mocking the traditional gender stereotypes women face and the male gaze as she is one of the most powerful female artists who can get her voice heard by the public she can be a big influence. Furthermore, the large emphasis on the clothes she is wearing is not just a prop, but to play more of an attraction for male viewers, which links in with the male gaze. The fact that the video emphasises on Beyonce being sexual in the video through the clothes and movement she does, it reinforces Mulvey's male gaze theory.