Shooting (a) Woman - Comparative Study of Gender Roles in American and Italian Western Movies

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Literature part
• 2.1. Some Introductory Notes about Gender
• 2.2. Gender and Movies
• 2.2.1. What is Feminist Film Theory?
• 2.2.2. The Male Gaze and Following Approaches
• 2.2.3. Cinema as Mediator of Patriarchal Ideology
• 2.3. Westerns and their Gender Roles
• 2.3.1. The Western – Background and Definition
• 2.3.2. The Western - The Male Genre
• 2.3.3. The Western - What Roles Do Women Play?
• 2.4. Differences in the (Visual) Culture of Italy and the USA
• 2.4.1. Hollywood versus European Visual Culture
• 2.4.2. What is “American” about the Hollywood Western?
• 2.4.3. How "Italian" is the Italian Western?
• 2.5. The Western, the Nation, and Gender
• 3. Method Part
• 3.1. Film Analysis
• 3.2. Sampling
• 3.3. Method Critique
• 4. Empirical Part
• 4.1. Hollywood Westerns
• 4.1.1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence
• 4.1.2. El Dorado
• 4.1.3. The Professionals
• 4.1.4. The War Wagon
• 4.2. Spaghetti Westerns
• 4.2.1. For a Fistful of Dollars
• 4.2.2. The Big Gundown
• 4.2.3. A Bullet for the General
• 4.2.4. Once upon a Time in the West
• 4.3. Comparison
• 5. Conclusion
• 6. Sources
• 6.1. Bibliography
• 6.2. Filmography

Objectives and Key Themes

This thesis aims to compare the depiction of gender roles in Hollywood Westerns and Italian Spaghetti Westerns. It investigates whether significant differences exist between the two genres and explores the potential reasons behind any such discrepancies. * Comparison of gender roles in Hollywood and Italian Westerns. * Analysis of the representation of women in both genres. * Examination of cultural and genre influences on gender portrayal. * The impact of the Western genre on the construction of national identity. * The role of film in the socialization of gender norms.

Chapter Summaries

1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the thesis's central question: Are there differences in the portrayal of gender roles between Hollywood and Italian Westerns? It begins by quoting Sergio Leone's criticism of the stereotypical female roles in Hollywood Westerns, setting the stage for a comparative analysis. The introduction also establishes the importance of studying gender representation in film, highlighting its role in socialization and identity construction. The chapter emphasizes the lack of existing research comparing gender depictions across these two distinct Western subgenres, thereby justifying the present study.

2. Literature part: This section provides a comprehensive review of existing literature relevant to the thesis. It covers various aspects, including introductory notes on gender studies, feminist film theory, the "male gaze," and the Western genre's traditional gender roles. Subsections delve into the unique characteristics of the American and Italian Westerns, examining their cultural contexts and visual styles. The literature review also touches upon the intersection of gender, nation, and the Western genre, establishing a theoretical framework for the subsequent empirical analysis.

3. Method Part: This chapter details the methodology employed in the thesis. It outlines the approach to film analysis, explaining the methods used to systematically examine the selected films. The chapter also describes the sampling strategy, justifying the chosen films as representative of the two genres. Finally, it provides a critical assessment of the methodology's strengths and limitations, acknowledging potential biases or constraints.

4. Empirical Part: This chapter presents the empirical findings of the study, comparing the representation of gender roles in the chosen Hollywood and Spaghetti Westerns. It analyzes individual films within each category before presenting a comparative analysis, highlighting similarities and differences in the portrayal of male and female characters. This section forms the core of the thesis, providing concrete examples and evidence to support the study's arguments.

Keywords

Gender roles, Hollywood Westerns, Spaghetti Westerns, film analysis, feminist film theory, male gaze, cultural studies, national identity, gender representation, comparative analysis, socialization, media effects.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Roles in Hollywood and Italian Westerns

What is the main focus of this thesis?

This thesis conducts a comparative analysis of gender roles as depicted in Hollywood Westerns and Italian Spaghetti Westerns. It investigates whether significant differences exist between the two genres and explores the reasons for any discrepancies.

What are the key themes explored in the thesis?

The key themes include a comparison of gender roles in both genres; analysis of female representation; examination of cultural and genre influences on gender portrayal; the impact of the Western genre on national identity construction; and the role of film in socializing gender norms.

What is included in the "Table of Contents"?

The table of contents provides a structured overview of the thesis, encompassing an introduction, a literature review (including sections on gender studies, feminist film theory, and the specific characteristics of Hollywood and Italian Westerns), a methodology section, an empirical section analyzing specific films from both genres (including The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, El Dorado, For a Fistful of Dollars, etc.), a conclusion, and a bibliography and filmography.

What is the methodology used in the thesis?

The thesis employs film analysis to systematically examine the selected films. The sampling strategy focuses on films representative of both Hollywood and Spaghetti Western genres. The methodology section includes a critique of its strengths and limitations.

Which films are analyzed in the empirical part?

The empirical part analyzes several key films from both genres. Hollywood Westerns include The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, El Dorado, The Professionals, and The War Wagon. Spaghetti Westerns analyzed include For a Fistful of Dollars, The Big Gundown, A Bullet for the General, and Once Upon a Time in the West.

What is the purpose of the literature review?

The literature review provides a comprehensive background on gender studies, feminist film theory, the "male gaze," and the traditional gender roles within the Western genre. It specifically examines the unique cultural contexts and visual styles of American and Italian Westerns, establishing a theoretical framework for the empirical analysis.

What are the key findings or arguments presented in the conclusion?

The conclusion summarizes the findings of the comparative analysis, highlighting the similarities and differences in the portrayal of male and female characters in Hollywood and Spaghetti Westerns. It likely offers insights into the cultural and genre influences shaping gender representation in these films.

What are the keywords associated with this thesis?

Keywords include gender roles, Hollywood Westerns, Spaghetti Westerns, film analysis, feminist film theory, male gaze, cultural studies, national identity, gender representation, comparative analysis, socialization, and media effects.

What is the overall objective of this academic work?

The overarching objective is to compare and contrast the depiction of gender roles in Hollywood and Italian Westerns, identifying significant differences and exploring their underlying causes. This contributes to a deeper understanding of how gender is constructed and represented within specific film genres and cultural contexts.