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1. Name some gender stereotypes.

2. Do you think these gender stereotypes are true/prevalent in today’s world?

3. Where do you normally see these gender stereotypes portrayed/occurring?

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1. Men should be sole breadwinners, women are expected to be homemakers. Men cannot cry while women are to be more emotional.

2. These gender stereotypes are true and still very obvious in today’s world. it is improving in some aspects but it’s still prevalent.

3. Workplaces and at home. On the internet

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Naming some gender stereotypes

Decorum/posture: Girls must be elegant

Breadwinner: males/males

Masculinity:

Parenting: Stay at home dads?

Are they true/prevalent in today's world?

Yes uwu

Where do we normally see these gender stereotypes portrayed/occurring?

Behaviour

Involvement in politics

Assumptions in intelligence/abilities

Media, movies, songs

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Stereotype: men are not allowed to wear dresses/makeup (“feminine” self expression)

partially prevalent

Makeup: in the K-pop industry, both women and men wear makeup for performance reasons

Dresses: social media shows many biological men wearing dresses though this may not be so in real life/public

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Read up on the characterisation and difference between Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes.

Take note of the context surrounding the authors and possible factors that may have influenced them to write in a certain way.

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Hercule Pariot is appeared as short and stout, often meticulously dressed and known for his well-groomed moustache. He is polite and formal, and highly methodical and precise. Sherlock Holmes is tall and lean, and has sharp features. He is perceived as highly intellectual, and can be arrogant at times, dismissive of other's intellect. For Hercule Pariot, the author is a woman, and at the time woman were always told to be elegantly dressed, and be polite and courteous to others, while for Sherlock Holmes, the author is a male, hence men would be the one dominating others and being perceived as the smart and know-it-all person, hence everyone should listen to them.

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Sherlock Holmes was written by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. He is an English detective described as tall and gaunt with a lean physique. His signature clothing has always been a cloak with a hat, and he always carries a smoking pipe. While Hercule Poirot was first introduced by Agatha Christie in 1920. He is described as short and vain and his signature look has always been his perfectly groomed, waxed moustache and leather shoes. He also always carries a pocket watch with him.

For Sherlock Holmes, his investigative method is mostly deductive reasoning as he is observant, and picks tiny details to draw large conclusions. Holmes is a big fan of disguises and loves going undercover to solve his cases. Poirot’s investigation is mostly psychological as he interviews each suspect. Additionally, there is an element of the supernatural that deviates from the murder mystery genre, offering lazy conclusions or explanations, unlike Holmes’ cases that are grounded in reality, well-thought and offer a rational explanation for every occurrence. He is eccentric and cold with no regard for conventions or social etiquette. Poirot is also socially aloof but has many sidekicks while his family is not explored much.

Since Poirot’s author is a woman, she is more empathetic and may have more emotional connection with others as compared to Holmes’ author who is a man. Being a woman also means she has not much expectations in how an ideal man must look like to look good and memorable. While man during the 1800s are known to have Victorian masculinity, being physically capable, lean and balanced hence Arthur Conan Doyle portrayed Holmes to be neat in appearance. Doyle was also a physician which explains the logical thinking used in his stories while Christie was more imaginative.

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Sherlock Holmes is a character created by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, he is an English detective best known for gathering evidence, based on his observations and deductive reasoning. He is often written to be a messy and have a littered appearance, his signature clothing being a cloak with a hat, and he always carries a smoking pipe. Holmes is often off solving mysteries with his only sidekick, Dr Watson.

Hercule Poirot is a character created by Agatha Cristie, He is a Belgian police office, turned private detective, best known for his intelligence and understanding of the criminal mind. He is described to be perfectly groomed, with a waxed mustache and leather shoes, always carrying a pocket watch. Poirot is often seen with more sidekicks, with Mrs Oliver as the most common one.

As both detectives are brilliant in their respective series’, being written by authors of different genders, in different eras, their key differences lie in their appearance, and their attitudes towards receiving help.

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Hercule Poirot was written by Agatha Christie, a woman, while Sherlock Holmes was written by Arthur Conan Doyle, a man. Hercule Poirot is written to be overly concerned with his appearance and is rather short and snobby. Hercule Poirot was written during a period of social change (in the 1920s), so Agatha Christie wanted to challenge the traditional beliefs and alienate Poirot away from the conventional masculinity. Hence, Poirot is often referred to as ‘little’ and ‘small’’. Whereas Sherlock Holmes is depicted as tall and lean. He is seen as a highly intelligent person with deductive reasoning skills, and lacks personal emotion. The author attempts to make Sherlock Holmes reflect Victorian masculinity.

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Sherlock Holmes is created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 19th century. He embodies the rational, scientific approach to crime-solving typical of the Victorian era, relying on deduction, forensic science, and keen observation.

Hercule Poirot is created by Agatha Christie in the early 20th century. He emphasises psychological analysis and understanding human behaviour to solve mysteries, reflecting the era's growing interest in psychology. Doyle's background as a physician influenced Holmes's methodical and detached persona, while Christie's wartime experiences and interest in human nature shaped Poirot's meticulous and vanity-driven character. These differing approaches highlight the evolving nature of detective fiction over time.

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Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is known for his exceptional intellect and keen powers of observation. He's highly analytical, using logical reasoning and forensic science to solve complex cases. Holmes is often depicted as somewhat aloof and detached, with a tendency to be single-minded in his pursuit of solving crimes. Despite his sometimes brusque demeanor, he has a deep sense of justice and an unyielding commitment to uncovering the truth. During his time of writing (19th century), Doyle had an interest in the field of science and criminal investigation and preferred presenting a more enigmatic and complex protagonist who sometimes seems almost alien in his intellectual brilliance, reflecting Holmes’s eccentricity.

However, Hercule Poirot is concerned with order, precision, and methodical investigation. He has a distinctive personality, characterized by his fastidiousness, refined manners, and a somewhat eccentric nature. Poirot often relies on psychological insight and a careful analysis of the motives and behaviors of suspects to solve crimes. He is usually portrayed as somewhat vain but deeply dedicated to justice, with a strong sense of personal pride in his work. Hercule Poirot was written by Agatha Christie in the early 20th century, who might have crafted Poirot’s character with certain traits that diverge from traditional masculine archetypes of the time. Poirot's meticulousness, sensitivity to detail, and his emphasis on psychological insight could be seen as reflecting Christie's nuanced understanding of human nature and her own attention to detail.

The opposing gender of each author most likely led to the difference in overall impression and personality of their respective characters despite their similar and career role, seen through the difference in emotional control and direction that each author took.

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Hercule Poirot: Hercule Poirot is described as having a distinctive, neat appearance. He is a small, dapper man with an oval face and meticulously groomed mustache. His attire is always impeccably tailored, reflecting his obsessive attention to detail and his sense of order. He often wears a well-cut suit, a bow tie, and polished shoes, maintaining a formal and polished look.His clothing choices emphasize his fastidious nature and his desire to present himself with precision and class.

Sherlock Holmes: Holmes’s physicality is less about his exact grooming and more about his intellectual presence and keen observational skills.His clothing, often practical and somewhat worn, reflects his practical and sometimes neglectful approach to personal appearance in favor of focusing on his work. His clothing is practical, designed for functionality rather than fashion. His disinterest in personal grooming or style highlights his focus on the scientific and rational aspects of his detective work. Smoking with a pipe is a key feature of his character, representing his contemplative nature and his habit of deep thinking. The act of smoking is often shown as a ritualistic part of his problem-solving process, providing him with a moment of reflection and insight. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the pipe was often seen as a symbol of sophistication and scholarly pursuits.

Differences:

Clothing: Poirot’s neatness reflects his obsession with order and detail, while Holmes’s practicality highlights his intellectual focus and disregard for conventional appearance norms.

Character Traits: Poirot is more concerned with order and personal aesthetics, while Holmes is more detached and analytical. Poirot often reflects on human nature and emotions, whereas Holmes focuses on logic and evidence.

Cultural Influence: Poirot reflects post-World War I societal change, while Holmes shows the Victorian era’s fascination with scientific progress and rationality.

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Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes are two of the most famous fictional detectives, created by Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle respectively.

Sherlock holmes:

Logical and Analytical: Holmes is known for his cold, logical approach to solving mysteries. He relies heavily on observation, deduction, and the scientific method.

Eccentric: Holmes has many eccentric habits, such as playing the violin, using drugs, and conducting bizarre experiments in his flat at 221B Baker Street.

Aloof and Detached: He often comes across as emotionally detached and can be seen as arrogant due to his superior intellect.

Hercule Poirot:

Meticulous and Methodical: Poirot is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his methodical approach to solving crimes.

Charming and Polite: Poirot often displays charm, politeness, and a certain degree of humility, although he can be vain about his abilities.

Order and Symmetry: He has a strong preference for order and symmetry in his surroundings and in his thinking.

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After today's session, compare what you have learnt to your pre-viewing assignment. Revaluate your opinions and research. Were your opinions valid? Were the factors you wrote affecting them correct? How would you re-write/ edit your pre-viewing assignment after learning about the two theories?

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Research on female and male critics’ opinion and worries (their reviews) on Harley Quinn’s portrayal in each movie, and compare them. Are there any similarities of differences? Do you think these critics' opinions make sense? Are they valid in their worries and opinions? How do you think Gender affects their opinion and rating of the movies?

You can go on social media as well to find out their reviews!

*Take note to choose at lease one male and one female critic for each movie

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Similarities :

both are fictional detectives with quite similar personalities in being aloof

Differences :

Poirot written by Agasta Christie in 1920 while Holmes is written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887; difference between the female and male perception of a detective character

Holmes : eccentric and cold with no regard for conventions and or social etiquette, aloof towards social settings, aberrant (abnormal) behavior, mostly estranged from family and friends, has one main side kick

Poirot : aloof and eccentric, has many sidekicks throughout the stories, became isolated and emotionally vacant after the death of his wife

Agatha Christie had hated Poirot when she felt that he was detestable, bombastic, tiresome and an ego-centric little creep

Conan Doyle thought Holmes was obscuring his other characters, saying that Holmes was “as inhuman as a Babbage’s Calculating Machine” and secretly hated Sherlock Holmes

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Sherlock Holmes

1. freedom to experiment helps his test out theories and keep his mind sharp

2. has a strong understanding of human emotion and behaviour

3. is a psychological mastermind, can understand and predict human behaviour even without empathising

4. is observant, being able to recreate a scene from very little evidence + amazing sense

5. cocaine user...?

Hercule Poirot

1. Arbiter of morals, has the power and brains to fight evil

2. Moral and Intellectual superhero, quite smart

3. respected and admired by police forces and heads of state across the globe

4. famous for his magnificent moustaches as his little grey cells

both are "intellectual snobs"

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Sherlock Holmes

Holmes is known for his sharp analytical skills and logical reasoning. He can deduce a great deal from the smallest clues.

Holmes's ability to notice and interpret minute details is legendary.

Scientific Approach: Holmes often employs scientific methods and experiments to solve cases.

Typically depicted as tall and lean, with a hawk-like face and piercing eyes. He often wears a deerstalker hat and smokes a pipe.

Holmes can be seen as aloof, eccentric, and sometimes condescending. He values rationality over emotion.

Setting: Most of Holmes's adventures are set in late 19th and early 20th century London.

His sidekick is Dr. John Watson, who narrates most of the stories and serves as Holmes's loyal friend and biographer.

Hercule Poirot

Methodical Approach: Poirot is meticulous and methodical, often relying on his "little grey cells" (his brain) to solve mysteries.

Attention to Order and Symmetry: Poirot has a strong preference for order and neatness, both in his personal appearance and in his investigative methods.

Poirot places significant emphasis on understanding the psychology of the people involved in the case.

Poirot is typically portrayed as a short, stout man with a meticulously groomed mustache. He is often impeccably dressed.

Poirot is courteous, polite, and has an air of vanity about his appearance and abilities. He is also more personable and charming compared to Holmes.

Poirot's cases are often set in the early to mid-20th century, and he travels widely, solving cases in various locations, though many stories are set in England.

Poirot works with several companions, most notably Captain Arthur Hastings, who, like Watson, serves as a narrator for many of the stories.

Both detectives have unique methods and personalities that have made them iconic figures in detective fiction.

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The author of Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle has a strong interest in sciences and medicine which lead to Holmes’ use of logical reasoning and forensic techniques in solving crimes. On the other hand, Hercule Poirot solved crimes through psychological insights as the author, Agatha Christie, was a pharmacist during WW1 and was very interested in human psychology behaviour and reflected this interest through the character they wrote.

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"Poirot is a very likable character, despite his moral and intellectual greatness. He is over concerned with appearance, distracted by his moustache and has a liking for strong-willed British women (a.k.a. Ms. Debenham). He is short, snobby and probably lonely at times."

This could be because Agatha Christie wanted to break the stereotype that women are weak-willed, and portray strong-willed women as desirable. This could also be because men are less expected to be concerned with physical appearance and she wanted to break this stereotype by portraying Poirot as more vain.

"Sherlock is callous, arrogant, bad tempered, never has love affairs and shuns society".

This could be because Sir Conan wanted to portray men, stereotyped by society back then as driven, ambitious, smart and less emotional (compared to others around them like women).

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Choose a quote and analyse it

Things to look out for:

•choice of words

•definitions

•any repetition

•punctuation (eg commas, exclamation marks)

•anything else that catches your eye

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I will choose to analyse the quote which is "The little grey cells, they are everything". In this quote, I believe that the metaphor the little grey cells represent the many thoughts in our brains that come together to fix a problem. In this context, Hercule Poirot is using his inner thoughts and gut feelings to try and solve the problem. The phrase they are everything also symbolises that he holds these inner thoughts and gut feelings close to his heart. I feel like the context of this quote was that since Hercule Poirot is written from a female perspective, he is being portrayed of using inner thoughts and gut feelings rather than logic or science.

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After evaluating my research and analysis of the different characters, I feel that they are valid as they represent the different stereotypes on genders in the past at that time. However, one thing I would change is to add the context behind why they were written like that. For Sherlock Holmes, I could talk about the Victorian Era which at that time, men's roles were more rigid and were more dominant compared to women. However, for Hercule Poirot, the books are written during the Edwardian Era which encouraged women to do more than just house chores such as writing books or being more involved in the workforce. These changes shaped the way the characters were characterised in the books, as shown in today's session.

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Quote chosen: "I have a little idea, a petite idee, that perhaps, just perhaps, this is a crime of the heart"

Generally, the quote gives off more of a humble/childish vibe, from its use of "little idea, a petite idee, that perhaps, just perhaps". It suggests that Poirot is not necessarily sure in his deductions, so he speaks with caution and awareness that what he is saying may not be correct, and it is merely a suggestion.

"this is a crime of the heart" also shows an element of emotional understanding and psychological empathy within his deduction, that he is willing to buy the possibility of how the perpetrator may not have wanted to do something wrong innately, but it might have been an a unconscious mistake which had been made due to poor judgment etc

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Female critics often criticized the sexualization of Harley Quinn. Christy Lemire from RogerEbert.com noted the exploitative costume choices and the camera's focus on Margot Robbie's body, which seemed to cater to the male gaze​. The female perspective on "Birds of Prey" is generally more positive, emphasizing the film's focus on female empowerment and Harley's independence from the Joker. Critics like Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly appreciated the film's celebration of female autonomy and its rejection of traditional male-centric narratives​ (EW.com)​. Similarly, Junkee.com highlighted the movie's use of the female gaze and its effort to portray women in a non-sexualized manner. Male critics also noted the over-sexualization but often with less emphasis on the broader implications of such a portrayal. They tended to focus more on the chaotic nature of the film and less on the gender dynamics. Owen Gleiberman from Variety acknowledged the problems but highlighted the overall entertainment value despite its flaws. Male critics had mixed reactions. Some, like John DeFore from The Hollywood Reporter, praised the film for rescuing Harley's character from her previous depiction but found it less humorous than expected​ (EW.com)​. Others, like Alonso Duralde from The Wrap, appreciated its thematic focus on liberation and its unique narrative style but noted the disjointed plot and uneven pacing​. Female critics are more likely to focus on the empowerment and feminist aspects, while male critics might prioritize genre conventions and entertainment value.

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Session 2 taught me more about the character’s personality and character, such as the way their mind was wired, the way they acted, and even the people they surrounded themselves with. The session also focused more onto the eras in which the characters had been written in, the Victorian era and Edwardian era, on how gender had been differently shaped and portrayed in these eras, thereby affecting the social norms and expectations people had of gender and gender roles during these times, and it extending into even literature; how people wrote books.

Given this, I would probably try to focus the research on more of their personality and notable scenes where their character really shone through, so as to be able to tell a more distinct difference in their character, which was the main focus of the session

But overall, a really fun lesson!

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“Cherchez la femme, my friend”. This quote by Hercule Poirot, created by Agatha Christie, hints genteel and gentle masculinity. Poirot uses this phrase in addressing another male figure. Instead of being stubborn on working with another male to unravel a case, Poirot is adamant on the importance of looking for the women involved in any case he tackles, taking a neutral stand between the necessity of a role to be played by both men and women. Poirot addresses his male counterpart as “my friend”, an indication of affection. Overall, Poirot carries warmth and sensitivity, traits of gentle masculinity.

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REFLECTION: Upon discovering the context of Poirot’s use of the phrase “Cherchez la femme”, I uncovered a reasoning that as a detective, social skills is necessary for Poirot and he takes to being a linguist to facilitate conversation and maintain friendships, which is an adorable trait.

With regard to the content of Session 2, I have learnt that the strength of a society is the driver to the level of success of the society. More specifically, if an entire society decides that degrading women to roles that were considered dirty, weak and ‘less-than’, a society would simply exist in an imbalance, ultimately failing (societal welfare not maximised ha). This makes me appreciate the development of gender norms such that all genders are able to express themselves regardless of diversity. This gratitude also reaches out to Agatha Christie,  who battled social norms through her work and helped societies grow in terms of acceptance and quality of life of all its members.

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Angelica Jade Bastién from Vulture was vocal about her disappointment with Harley Quinn's portrayal, emphasizing how the character was sexualized to the detriment of her narrative depth. She felt that Suicide Squad had missed an opportunity to explore Harley's complex psyche and instead focused on her appearance and sexuality. On the other hand, Bastién appreciated "Birds of Prey" for rectifying many of these issues. She praised the film for giving Harley a more substantial and empowering storyline, where her character was portrayed with greater depth and complexity. The film's focus on female solidarity and Harley's journey of self-discovery resonated positively with her.

Meanwhile, Peter Bradshaw from Guardian found "Birds of Prey" to be a more coherent and empowering depiction of Harley Quinn. He praised the film for its focus on female empowerment and the development of Harley's character as an independent and multi-faceted individual. The portrayal allowed Robbie to fully explore Harley's complexities, resulting in a more engaging and satisfying character arc. For "Birds of Prey", he to be a more coherent and empowering depiction of Harley Quinn. He praised the film for its focus on female empowerment and the development of Harley's character as an independent and multi-faceted individual. The portrayal allowed Robbie to fully explore Harley's complexities, resulting in a more engaging and satisfying character arc.

Reviews are mostly similar between males and females, both appreciate the more authentic representation of Harley Quinn and appreciate the nuance in her character, as opposed to superficial descriptions of her appearance

This could be a reflection of rising awareness of feminism ideals, where more people are critical of the objectification of women

++ Successful and well known movie critics may have the trend of being more neutral and objective, so this may be a factor in why these views are relatively similar too!

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Quote chosen: ‘I do not need to see the victim, I do not need to see the scene. I can sit in my armchair and think.’

I think that the quote highlights how Hercule Poirot focuses more on his emotional reasoning skills, rather than analysing the scene and relying on analytical skills to solve the various crimes.

The use of ‘I can sit in my armchair and think’ further shows that seeing the victim or the scene is not as crucial as understanding the underlying motives that led to the crime. The quote also reflects Hercule Poirot’s confidence in his emotional reasoning skills, and he is sure that he does not have to rely on physical evidence.

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I chose the quote ‘Cherchez la femme, my friend’. Poirot using another language to communicate with his partner shows that maybe his partner is french and he is accommodating him by speaking french to him to make him feel more comfortable. This can also be seen as him asking his partner for help to look for the women which shows that he is open with having assistance from his sidekicks and he asks nicely, not in a bossy way. He also addresses his partner as ‘my friend’ which shows how much he values their relationship not just as work partners but as friends as well. This short sentence reflects Poirot’s good mannerism and emotional intelligence when communicating with others.

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After today’s session, I think that my opinion on the different eras of the authors is valid. Since Agatha Christie started writing in the Edwardian era while Arthur Conan Doyle wrote in the Victorian era, there is a difference in their writing styles. One thing I would have improved on is to analyse how the difference in genders will also affect their writing styles and how it caters to the readers of their respective genders. For example, Hercule Poirot is seen as more empathetic and emotional, which is more catered to female readers. Whereas Sherlock Holmes is depicted as more detached, which is then more catered to male readers.

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The factors I wrote affecting them was actually more accurate than i thought, like the part where Sherlock Holmes used logical thinking when solving cases mostly as Arthur Conan Doyle was a physicist with achievements in science and thinking. If i were to edit my assignment, for Sherlock Holmes, i would add that his character embodies the masculine ideals of the Victorian era, which is rationality, independence and intellectual superiority. This explains why he tend to work alone with only Dr Watson but he tend to sound annoyed at him most of the time, showing that he felt that Dr Watson was inferior to him in terms of intellectual. For Hercule Poirot, I would add that since women had increased access to education and career opportunities as well as freedom, Agatha Christie was learnt more about how she could write differently from previous eras’ characters and was trying to push the boundaries in expressing herself and her character. In the Edwardian era, men began to question traditional gender roles which might be why Poirot was portrayed as more friendly and intuitive, and having a different physical appearance.

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For Birds of Prey, female critics feel that she shows female empowerment, and sisterhood instead of sexualising the character. Moreover, it is a subversion of the Male Gaze, as her outfit is to show her personality and freedom instead of being appealing to men. While the male critics felt that there was depth given to the personality of this character, and allows her to shine as a main character.

Whereas for Suicide Squad, for woman critics, they felt that there was objectification and the male gaze was prominent in this movie. She was overly sexualised and they felt that she was merely presented as "eye candy" rather than a main character. Moreover, her relationship with Joker was a toxic one, and instead of sending a message to the audience about abusive relationships, it was sexualised.For male critics, they praised her performance and felt that she stood out from the rest of the characters, however, they also felt that she was being over sexualised in the movie and her character lacked depth. I feel that their opinions are valid as I agree with them, this movie further reinforced the stereotypes of gender stereotypes.

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Suicide squad:

Female critics felt that Harley Quinn was oversexualised and that she was portrayed to be ‘addicted’ to a man, The Joker. Furthermore, they did not understand why Harley Quinn had to show so much of their body and look so sexy in order to be fierce, as seen from her outfit in the film: a tight shirt, shorts that hardly cover much and the fishnet tights. Some suggested that the film missed opportunities to explore themes related to her abusive relationship with the Joker or her own agency. Whereas many male critics praised the portrayal of Harley Quinn and found it quite entertaining, though some of them also noted the character's sexualised presentation.

Birds of Prey:
Female critics appreciated how Harley Quinn was not overly sexualised or objectified in this movie. They noted that the film avoided the male gaze and instead focused on the characters' personalities, making it a more empowering and respectful portrayal. On the other hand, some male critics such as A.O. Scott from The New York Times accuses the film of “at once embracing and neutralising the tropes of female anger and semi-feminist solidarity.” However, there were also male critics that appreciated the development of Harley Quinn’s character.

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I chose "I do not need to see the victim, I do not need to see the scene. I can sit in my armchair and think."

The first sentence of this quote suggests that Hercule Poirot is very sure and has a firm tone when saying that he did not need to see the victim or the scene. He was confident that he would be able to solve the crime scene without analysing the scene itself and using the physical clues at the crime scene.

The second sentence focuses more on his strength which is a psychological approach rather than a rational one.

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After the session, I feel that my opinions were valid but session 2 enhanced my knowledge on the time period for which these two characters were written in as well as the impact of the authors and time period had on how these characters were written.

For example, Sherlock Holmes was a character published in the Victorian Era, when people were more conservative in their views and actions, thus Sherlock Holmes was written as a more rational science-y, and was portrayed as someone that lacked empathy, which aligns to the expectations of men in that Era. We also had a fruitful discussion about this and someone stated that the autor may have published this character with their personality aligning with the expectations of men in that Era to allow the book to be better received by the audience, as they were not open to the questioning of traditional gender roles at that era.

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"i have an idea, a petite idee, that perhaps, just perhaps, this is a crime of the heart "

This quote is a line said by Hercules Poirot. The use of the word "perhaps" suggests that Poirot is not forcing his opinions on anyone, and he is merely suggesting his own point of view in the situation. Considering that he is the protagonist of the novel, you would expect that the nature of the character would make for him to be more bossy and demanding for people to listen to his idea. The word "petite" also shows how he diminishes his own ideas, and does not want to impose on others

"a crime of the heart", shows how this may be a crime that was committed out of passion and love. This is also very unexpected, as Poirot comes to a conclusion that the nature of the crime was emotionally driven, which shows his emotional intelligence towards the crime

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I feel like my opinions and research were quite related to what was covered in session 2. The context in which the 2 characters were written definitely reflect the social context of the time, as well as the acceptable and changing gender stereotypes. This is explained by the two theories that we learned, which was not the most unexpected, but definitely interesting to understand more. If given the chance to rewrite my pre-viewing assignment, I would want to do more research on the authors, and their beliefs, and backgrounds to better understand their objectives of writing these distinct characters.

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birds of prey:

Peter Travers writing for the Rolling Stone felt that Birds of Prey showed Harley Quinn emancipating herself from men, forming a girl gang and being more independent. This independence shows how Harley Quinn can fight her own battles, with the help of her female allies, taking down the male villains

Suicide squad:

In the series leading up to the suicide squad, harley is often only referred to as the joker's "side-piece". She's nothing more than the main character's sidekick. She is very sexualized in the movie, and does not have much of a personality otherwise

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I think critics' opinions on Harley Quinn's portrayal differ based on gender. Male critics often admired Margot Robbie's performance but frequently highlighted her sexualised image, focusing more on her aesthetics and her relationship with the Joker. However, female critics, many criticised this sexualisation and expressed a desire for a deeper portrayal of Harley as an independent character. In "Birds of Prey," male critics were divided. Some missed the provocative image from "Suicide Squad," while others appreciated the shift towards a more complex portrayal. Female critics generally praised the film's feminist themes and emphasis on Harley's autonomy. The animated series was well-received by both male and female critics for its humour and nuanced character development, particularly for avoiding over-sexualisation.

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I choose the quote "The little grey cells, they are everything" . The phrase "little grey cells" refers to the brain's neurons, particularly those responsible for thought and reasoning. By stating "they are everything," Poirot underscores the importance of intellect and rational thought in solving mysteries, implying that mental faculties being the key to uncovering truth.

This expression of Poirot's reliance on observation and deductive reasoning highlights his methodical approach to detective work.

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(reviews found from google reviews)

BIRDS OF PREY

By a lady:

I love love love how Harley became this woman who was like “ F love, Ima do my own thing” I feel like the plot is a theme based on independence, Women empowerment, self-worth/self-love.

though there are comments talking about how harley isn't a good role model as a criminal who takes things out on others' post-breakup, most argue that its empowering because of how she manages to get over her breakup, and gives Harley Quinn a chance to have the spotlight on HER own craziness.

By a man:

Her hyper sexualized content in the comics thrown in with her horrendous treatment suffered by the hands of the joker (stabbed, starved, imprisoned,  tired to cut her face off) made her a fan favourite. But only at the charity of a stronger lead, (batman..joker)

He argues that Harley Quinn is only enjoyed in stories as a side character, who is hyper-sexualised (meaning she's made to please men and their male gaze). Whilst I cannot argue as I don't read DC novels, this portrays a lack of narrow-mindedness and objectivity of women in movies- who are stereotypicaly portrayed in revealing clothes.

SUICIDE SQUAD

by a man:

Without her joker Harley fizzled but rarely ignited and the same could be said of …Flag without his ‘love interest’ . “What’s a my motivation here”? What indeed! WORST FILM IVE SEEN IN A LONG WHILE

Similar to birds of prey, there are arguments (mostly by men) that Harley is a side character with no main character energy, unlike her partner the Joker.

by a lady:

None of these characters were interesting, the plot was nonexistent, and the conflict seemed as trivial as stunning your toe.

Both men and women complained about lack of plot, which has no direct relation to the character Harley Quinn herself, showing how instead of concerning themselves with the fact that the main character was a women and usually a side character in DC stories, more critical comments were regarding the storyline itself.

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Female:  criticized "Suicide Squad" for oversexualizing Harley Quinn. The film is said to depict Harley primarily through a lens that caters to the male gaze. This is evident in her revealing outfits, such as the shortened booty shorts and scenes that focus on her physical appeal rather than her character's depth. The film's direction often emphasized her body through lingering shots, suggesting her primary value lay in her sexual appeal rather than her narrative role or personal story

Male: Owen Gleiberman appreciates the film's energetic and bold style, describing it as a mix of violence and humor. He praises Robbie's performance and the film's departure from traditional comic book movie tropes. Gleiberman highlights the vibrant visuals and the strong character development.Gleiberman points out that the film's chaotic narrative might be hard to follow for some viewers. He also mentions that the over-the-top violence might not be to everyone's taste.

Female: Leah Greenblatt commends the energetic and chaotic nature of the film. She emphasizes the fun and the sense of liberation that Harley Quinn experiences after breaking away from the Joker. Greenblatt appreciates the film's colorful and vibrant style, as well as its strong female characters. Greenblatt points out that the film's chaotic nature might be overwhelming for some viewers. She also notes that the constant action and violence can become numbing after a while.

Gender plays a significant role in shaping these opinions. Female critics are generally more attuned to issues of objectification and representation, likely because these issues affect them directly. Male critics, while recognizing these issues, may not always perceive them with the same urgency or depth, as they are less likely to experience the same societal pressures, focusing on the film's stylistic choices and overall entertainment value.

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Nearly Quinn is a female superhero who has been engaged in criminal and sexual activities.In the movie m,she was initially portrayed as a villain who is known for conducting these aces alongside her ex-lover the Joker.After her breakup she was slowly portrayed in a more positive light as she was shown as a loyal person despite her seemingly villain acts.The movies also showed her struggles with her love life and that she was also emotionally driven throughout her relationship which is one of the stereotypes of feminism.

On one hand,people were not used to and even disappointed that there was a female superhero as one of the main characters as the main superhero’s are usually men.On the other hand,some felt that such movies provided a new perspective and was worried that such criticisms will deter for the prediction future.Despute all these conflicting ideas,Hearly Quinn clearly showed people’s interest in the movie as it had box office in the

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of more female main superhero’s in the millions.

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birds of prey

female gaze; directed by Cathy Yan

focus was placed on Harley Quinn’s development as a character and her story, from her clothing in the movie and her actions, she’s very much living for herself and not anyone else

female critics : the film is a very good representation of feminism and empowerment of women, that women don’t always need a man to save them, getting across the message that females should not be objectified for the pleasure of men

male critics : felt that too much focus was placed on feminism and did not add to the story

suicide squad

male gaze; directed by David Ayer

heavy sexualization of Harley Quinn, never showing her story but always showing her body, she portrayed as a character who lives at the dispense of the Joker and object to be gawked at by men

female critics : a feminist’s nightmare, a character who completely abandoned her life before and gave up herself to a point where her life revolves entirely around an abusive and psychotic man (the Joker), romanticizing the toxic relationship she’s in and her costume choices sets a bad example for youths who watch the show

male critics : while there are many male critics appreciated the character and actor of Harley Quinn more than the movie itself, never mentioning the sexualization of the character as an issue, there are a few who have pointed out the excessive sexualization of Harley Quinn and the negative impacts of it

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Justin Carl Gordon highlighted the problem of the movies being marketed by showing off Margot Robbie, the actress of Harley Quinn’s backside, overly sexualising her. He mentioned that she is portrayed as dumb and very fun, being a ‘badass’ in most cases, causing fans to aspire to be like her. However the movies overlook her story being one of domestic abuse as she was verbally and physically abused by Joker, when she was meant to help girls cope with domestic abuse. Her outfits are also intentionally made to be skimpier, along with T-shirts with profanities, which seems like her character is made to please hormonal teenage comic fans. This may also be another reason why she is a consistent cosplay choice at most comic conventions.

Sam Langsdale of maifeminism.com argues that her story and treatment across media has been problematic, centring on her unrequited love for Joker which led to her being physically and emotionally abused and the increased sexualisation that shaped her into an object of male control. Even so, fans continue to find ways to interpret her as a role model for females, when her story was tied to harmful patriarchy norms. All these drove her to develop her psychic behaviour, creating a dual personality. Her costume was also designed to reveal as much skin as possible and she even appeared in an outfit symbolising the joker in a deck of cards which was very derogatory. There were increasing controversies that Harley was being turned into an object for the male gaze. Originally her story was already set in stereotypically sexiste ways as a woman who uses and weaponises her sexuality to get what she wants.

Both critics show that Harley Quinn’s character development is already being sexualised and no longer being the strong and powerful female that she was.

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"I do not need to see the victim, I do not need to see the scene. I can sit in my armchair and think."

Repetition of "I do not need" shows Poirot's confidence in his ability to solve the case. What Poirot says is not typically expected of a detective to say, you would expect a detective to interrogate victims and witnesses as well as searching the scene for clues that could point towards the perpetrator. However, when Poirot says that he can "sit in (his) armchair an think", it shows him being able to reach a conclusion based on contextual clues and understanding the nature of the mystery. This quote shows his confidence in his intellectual and analytical ability.

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I have a little idea, that perhaps, just perhaps, this is a crime of the heart". Overall, the quote expresses a sense of hesitation and uncertainty. The word 'little idea 'suggests that he feels that his opinion will not make much changes or contributions to anything. The word ' perhaps' and the constant commas he puts in the middle of his statement further emphasises his feeling of uncertainty and that he is not confident of his own opinion. This is evident that his caution use of words is evident in amplifying that he is an emotionally driven person that takes into account more than just logic and facts. He displays a sense of humility which shows he also appreciates and uphold moral values instead of just being logical minded.

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after the session, it could further justify and affirm my previous   beliefs while giving me a broader perspective on why and how the characters were portrayed as the way they were. It is prevalent in the past for women to be stereotyped as the emotional ones while men were the logical ones. This was further seen in the story of Sherlock Homes as he was portrayed  as a rational person who aced in the sciences. he truth.  than just pure logic. 

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after the session, it could further justify and affirm my previous   beliefs while giving me a broader perspective on why and how the characters were portrayed as the way they were. It is prevalent in the past for women to be stereotyped as the emotional ones while men were the logical ones. This was further seen in the story of Sherlock Homes as he was portrayed  as a rational person who aced in the sciences. he truth.  than just pure logic. 

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rachel

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However, previously i only considered this to be so because it was simply just a rigid thinking people then had at in the past. But after the session, i learnt that thew role of the author and his background also had a crucial role to play in the portrayal of the character. Because the author existed in the early Victorian era, such rigid mindsets were particularly strong at the time, thus influencing the author's writing style and description of Sherlock as a solely logical person who cared Whereas i realize that for authors in the Edwardian era, they seem to adopt a more open approach towards these stereotypes thus portraying their characters as more wholesome by taking their emotions to be part of their decision making process rather about revealing t

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Quote: "I do not need to see the victim, I do not need to see the scene. I can sit in my armchair and think."

Choice of word: The use of "need" implies necessity, suggesting the speaker feels confident that their ability to solve the case is independent of physical evidence or presence at the scene.

Definition: Armchair = a piece of furniture designed for relaxation, implying a passive approach rather than an active one

Repetition: ”I do not need” repeated at the beginning of the first two sentences, emphasising that traditional investigative methods are unnecessary, reinforces the idea that both seeing the victim and the scene are equally unimportant

Punctuation: full stop feels complete and absolute, short, declarative sentences emphasizes the certainty

Tone: Confidence

*Corresponds to Poirot’s focus on human nature and emotions

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After reevaluating my response, most of it are quite accurate, but after the session, I understood more of what I have written (e.g. Victorian era) The time period the authors are in impacted the way they portray the characters. Additionally, as I am not a lit student, it was interesting to evaluate the quotes by the character. The tone of the characters further proves the way the author hopes to portray the characters. Now I am confident to say that gender of the author affected how the characters are being portrayed and the time periods the authors are in affected the way they portray these characters to express the societal trend of that particular era.

If given the chance to edit my response, I believe I will look more into how the authors write for other series (if any) and do a comparison between the portrayal of the characters in the different series.

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I think my opinions were pretty valid, but there were some things I missed because I only read the books' sypnosis, such as the "little grey cells" and the fact that they were written in different time periods. A factor that i was correct in guessing is the gender of the author they were written by, but I did not learn about the author's personal interests in different sciences until the session. I think I would include these two new factors into my pre-viewing assignment

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Harley Quinn is known as Joker's sidekick, an eccentric, loud, female villain who is not afraid of taking risks. She is also commonly portrayed to be sexually appealing, charming and mischievous, which can be noted in terms of gender appeal.

Harley Quinn appeared across three films: the Suicide Squad in 2016, the "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" in 2020 and a remake of Suicide Squad, "The Suicide Squad" in 2021.

In the 2016 film, Harley Quinn is introduced with a focus on her chaotic, unpredictable nature. Her relationship with the Joker is central to her character arc, showcasing a mix of vulnerability and psychopathy. Her blend of dark humor and erratic behavior is consistent with the comic book origins, emphasizing her as a formidable yet troubled figure, while presenting her as more of a sidekick and accessory to the Joker, rather than a standalone force. To this film, female critic Kate Erbland noted Harley's vibrant personality, but wished for more of her backstory. Male critic found Harley as one of the film's standout elements and praised Margot Robbie's strong performance. (noting the film's inconsistent tone and pace)

In the 2020 film, Harley is portrayed as more independent and self-reliant. The film explores her breaking free from the Joker’s shadow and establishing her own identity. The tone is more vibrant and comedic. Her signature unpredictability and humor are maintained, aligning with her established character trait. However, this film proudly gives Harley a chance to shine on her own terms, portraying her as a hero rather than a villainous sidekick. It also emphasizes her relationships with other female characters, highlighting her growth and independence. Female critic Alison Willmore appreciated how the film allowed Harley to break free from the Joker’s influence and evolve as a character, celebrating the film's fresh, irreverent take on her story. (positive) However, male critic Owen Gleiberman, despite mentioning Harley's growth and personality as a character, thought the style of the film may not suit all tastes. (noted Robbie's performance... again)

In the 2021 film, Harley Quinn is portrayed with a balance of her chaotic nature and a sense of personal growth. She is still unpredictable and dangerous but shows more depth and agency, retaining her chaotic charm and dark humor. However, Harley's role is more integrated into the team dynamic rather than being the focus of the narrative. There’s a sense of her evolving beyond her previous portrayals, showing more complexity and self-awareness. Female critic Christy Lemire

noted that the film allowed her character to be both funny and dangerous while showing growth. She commended the film for integrating Harley into the team dynamic more seamlessly. Male critic Peter Bradshaw praised the energetic portrayal of Harley, then the film for balancing humor and action and for providing a more rounded portrayal of Harley compared to her previous appearances.

Analysis: Most critics hold similar feelings towards the villainous strength that Harley as a character holds in each film, although some male critics may focus more on the design on the plot and design of the film, which may be due to male characters' general audience appeal in terms of masculinity, while female characters can be pushed to the side, just like Harley is casted as a sidekick. Between the 2016 and 2021 film, the sequel being made based off the first, there is a clear rise in demand for equal levels of screentime for both genders of characters, indicating more gender representation in the media.

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Quote chosen: "The little grey cells, they are everything"

As little grey cells represent the intuition of Hercule Poirot, saying that they are everything means that Poirot holds his gut feelings and thoughts to a very high regards and even above that of science and logic.

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Session 2 taught me more about the contrast between characters' personalities when it is written by two different gender and at different timeframe. Although Poirot and Holmes are both detectives, they both hold very contrasting personalities with the prior having more 'femine' traits such as using more gut feelings and intuition and being more dramatic and emotional and the latter being more 'masculine' with little emotion and being using more of logic and science. It could also be due to the time period of which the books were written in where Poirot was written during the Edwardian era which was more accepting and encouraging of women to go beyond simply being housewives, hence the bolder feminine traits being a main aspect of Poirot's personality whereas Holmees was written during the Victorian era of which masculinity was more dominant and feminine traits were frowned upon.

As such, I would have probably tried to look into the time period more and compare how that ultimately shaped the personality of these 2 characters.

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Many men have voiced their frustration on lack of Joker scenes in the 2nd film however are constantly sexualization of Harley Quinn's character.

Many women have spoke up against the excessive sexualization of Harley Quinn in both films however felt that the 2nd film is more empowering towards women as it featured Harley without joker.

In my own honest opinion, the potrayal of Harley Quinn does have some aspect of feminism in it. While on the surface it may seem as though Harley needed a men, the Joker, to survive and is unable to stand on her own, however on a deeper level, you can see her growth and development as a character where she is able to make her own decisions and stand on her own without having the Joker to protect her. Her 'sexualized' style is simply just a stylistic choice to showcase and emphasize on her boldness as a character. Throughout the film, especially Birds of the Prey, women are constantly empowered by showing how strong they truly are. Harley is shown to be physically strong as well as smart, putting her Psychology phd into use. Even in Suicide Squad, she was able to stand on her own without the Joker, where she served as mediator in most of the situations and it can be argued she was the glue to keep the squad together. In fact, it can be argued that throughout the two films, Harley is more than just a girl dressed up in suggestive clothing.

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Male critics tend to critic about the storyline and the plot relating to Harley Quinn, while female critics will talk about how Harley Quinn is sexualised and portrayed for the male gaze, since Harley Quinn usually wears very revealing clothing, which is not needed for the plot of the movie. This also shows how the males don't see a problem with Harley Quinn being sexualised, while women find that the main issue of Harley Quinn.

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Write up name + class + session you missed and submit the make-up assignment we assigned in this section

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Sherlock Holmes

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data."

This quote shows how Holmes prioritizes evidence over preconceived notions and baseless assumptions. He believes that theories without data will result in a biased interpretations and ultimately a biased conclusion. He calls it a "capital mistake", showing that in his eyes, doing so is a fatal misstep. This shows Holmes' logical and scientific thinking process, never letting himself jumping to conclusions.

Hercule Poirot

"It is the psychology I seek, not the fingerprint or the cigarette ash."

This quote shows how Poirot is as a detective when solving cases. He places more emphasis on the intangible evidence which is the suspects and witnesses rather than tangible evidence of the crime itself. He says this quote in the "Murder on the Orient Express" where the crime was committed by everyone on the train and the crime scene was set up to mislead Poirot. If he had focused purely on the physical evidence of the scene, he would have never solved the case. Yet he could because he interviewed every single suspect, taking note of their mannerisms and backgrounds, eventually reaching his conclusion. This shows Poirot's psychological take on being a detective, seeing the people rather than the scene.

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After the sessions, which theory do you think is most applicable to today’s (modern) media? Provide an example and explain your reasoning.

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I feel that the Erving Goffman Theory is the most relevant and appropriate.Even though it only requires fundermental critical thinking skills to identify any gender bias was jn the media，it is also the most crucial.As we are constantly given greed on countless advertisements,it can be hard to distinguish between fact and conspiracy theories. this it is very important of consumers of the media to be able to identify and discern the information they receive.

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I feel that the Erving Goffman theory is the most appropriate as in our world where we see a lot of media, especially advertisements, women are still portrayed in a certain way with gender stereotypes, and with the Kala gaze still being relevant in our society, it’s only right that we try and challenge the Erving Goffman theory by challenging stereotypes and making sure these stereotypes do not exist in our media that we see.

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I feel that the Ervin Hoffman Theory is most relevant because it's dissection of pictures such as advertisements allow us to see and understand how they may be portraying a gender stereotypes or even disempowering a gender. This theory can be broadly applied to movies (which is basically pictures in motion), advertisements and other forms of media most of which are pictorial in this day and age. An example would be how we used it to analyse at Birds of Prey and Suicide Squad in session 3 where the positioning and idea of feminine touch really aided in the analysis. I will

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I feel that the Erving Goffman Theory for advertisements is most applicable to today’s media. Even though it was more prominent in the past as gender stereotypes were relatively more reinforced, it is still present today.

For example, in many advertisements related to household and baby related products, women will be shown using and promoting the product as they are commonly associated with household chores and taking care of the family while men work, which shows the function ranking in the theory.

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I think that the Erving Goffman Theory of advertisements is the most applicable to the media since it accurately describes the gender stereotypes that are found in today's society. In many of the advertisements, women are often portrayed as the inferior gender. For example, in advertisements for fashion, women are often portrayed lying down in a more submissive manner, which is linked to ritualisation of subordination

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I think the male gaze is most applicable to today’s media, be it advertising or movies. A recent example is a Calvin Klein Ad featuring FKA Twigs in January this year. She was half covered by a denim shirt, revealing parts of her left breast and buttocks. The image is overlaid with the tagline: “Calvins or nothing.” Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), UK’s advertisement management called the advertisement out for its appropriateness, claiming that the ad used nudity and centred on FKA twigs' physical features rather than the clothing, to the extent that it presented her as a stereotypical sexual object. Personally i feel that at one glance, her body was the focus more than the denim clothing, which was the product that was being advertised. There was no need to reveal so much of her body more than the denim clothing which was actually long and big enough to cover her if it was worn properly, which is an irony.

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I feel that Laura Mulvey’s research and theory that Hollywood cinema is structured along a threefold gaze that looks at women from a male point of view and regards them as mere (sexual) objects, or for simpler terms the existence of the Male Gaze is one of the most applicable theory in modern media.

In today’s context, movies and media are made with the intention to make a profit, and that can only be done when this media can gain attention from people to watch it. As a result, movies and shows are often filmed for the Male Gaze, to engage the male audience to keep watching and be entertained. This has been happening for decades, resulting in men not realising that the media that they are watching panders to them while women believing that they have to live up to the unrealistic depiction set by the actors in the film.

This theory only results in strengthening gender stereotypes in our society. However, due to it’s effectiveness in garnering attention for its exact purpose of making profits, it is still often happening in modern media

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I think the most applicable theory is the Ervin Goffman theory (haha everyone chose around the same thing oops). The Ervin Goffman theory describes the various aspects of advertisements with regards to the difference when men and women are featured in them. It compares the physical size of people of either gender, portrays subordination, the feminine touch, function ranking and licensed withdrawal, forming a stereotyped image that advertisement viewers have towards products and people of both genders. In the modern society, fashion has become more diverse and tend to surpass more gender expectations, which leads to significantly less advertisements that support the Ervin Goffman theory. However, advertisements will continue to be used as one of the greatest mainstream publicity channels, meaning that some firms will continue choose to use the simplest methods in order to draw in their target audience through the use of media algorithms. All in all, advertisements and the theory behind the portrayal of gender in them are still applicable in our current society and hence its analysis, the Ervin Goffman theory is equally as applicable in our society.

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I think that the ERVING GOFFMAN THEORY is the most applicable one in today's media. Although it is less prominent and obvious in today's media compared to the past, there is still a certain level that they try to portray knowing or unknowingly especially in terms of feminine touch and relative size. Example: Some Victoria's secret ads may showcase women in a position that may not be the most apporpriate, further emphasising on their good and hot body figure. As seen from the past 3 sessions, many advsertisements that we analysed had the aspect of feminine touch, I believe that there is a certain amount of sexualising to attract a certain target audience, which is the purpose of an advertisement (attracting others to buy)

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I think Erving Goffman’s theory on advertisements is the most applicable to modern media. He argued that the portrayal of women in advertising often places them in subordinate roles, reinforcing gender stereotypes and power imbalances. I found this theory is very applicable as I’m able to see this happening almost anywhere in the media even til now.

For instance, in contemporary fashion advertising, women are frequently depicted in positions that suggest subordination, such as lying down or looking away from the camera, corresponding to Goffman’s concepts of "ritualization of subordination" and "licensed withdrawal." In contrast, men in the same ads often stand tall, look directly at the camera, or are shown in more active, dominant roles, and probably to show their “masculinity” through showing his able to have control over a woman. This portrayal extends beyond fashion ads to other forms of media too, perpetuating traditional gender roles and suggesting that women are inherently more passive or dependent, and this also often seen as the characteristic of femininity of a women, reinforcing the stereotype in society. The subtle, often subconscious way these stereotypes are reinforced makes Goffman’s theory particularly relevant today. Despite advances in gender equality, media representations continue to perpetuate outdated notions of femininity and masculinity, and Goffman’s framework helps us identify and critique these patterns, prompting more conscious and equitable portrayals in media.

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After today’s session, my understanding of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot has deepened, revealing additional nuances in their detective methods influenced by societal and cultural shifts. While my initial analysis correctly highlighted Holmes’s rational, scientific approach reflecting Victorian values and Poirot’s psychological methods shaped by early 20th-century interest in human behavior, I now see the importance of incorporating how broader societal changes, such as evolving perceptions of crime and trust in institutions, shaped these characters. Rewriting my pre-viewing assignment, I would emphasize the shift from a purely logical to a more psychological understanding of crime, aligning with the development of modern psychology and changing cultural attitudes, to provide a more nuanced analysis of detective fiction’s evolution.

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In my opinion, the male gaze theory is the most applicable in today's media as despite efforts and rise of feminist movement, we still see shows and advertisements sexualizing and objectifying women. This is most commonly seen in perfume advertisements and movies. Music videos especially by pop icons often feature females styled and modeled that highlights their sexual appeal to men. Even in the fashion industry, women are styled and posed in ways deemed attractive to men. The most notable example being Victoria secret's angels, models who are highly sexualized for men's pleasure. Although shifts and changes have been made for more diverse body types, it is undeniable that male gaze is still present in our world today whether we like it or not.

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The analysis of Poirot and Sherlock really shows how society at that point in time and the gender of author can change the way a character is constructed. Amongst all the similarities between the two detectives, their differences lie in the expectations placed on men in the different periods in which the different characters were written in. Not only that, Sherlock being written by a man and Poirot being written by a women, the two detectives had a significantly different emotional capacity. This reflects how much gender is influenced by society, how the environment changes the way people act based on the idealistic expectations that exist.

I’ve also learnt to better analyze characters; when I had to research on the detectives before the session, I focused more on finding out the difference in their personality and how they were perceived, which resulted in a surface level analysis. Through the session, not only were the characters analyzed, the time period in which they were written in and the authors that wrote them were also analyzed and linked back to the character that the reactive author wrote. This allowed for a much deeper and insightful analysis of the characters, better showing how gender is social construct.

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Erving Goffman’s Theory

—> society now is very digitalized and almost everyone is constantly online, people are regularly exposed to media and what they see online heavily influences the way they think, especially for younger children, the way genders are portrayed online heavily influences the expectations people will have of these genders and of themselves

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session 2 really showed how to properly analyze a character. before the session when i was analyzing the two detectives, i had a very surface level analysis, focusing a lot on just the personality and the general perceptions of the characters. however, the session showed a deeper analysis of the characters, linking their characteristics back to the time period they were written in and their author. i learnt how a proper analysis can allow for a much more insightful and informative analysis. the session also taught me how a time period and the author can significantly change a characters design, even amongst all their similarities, they are still so different due to the time at which their authors had written them

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I feel like the male gaze concept is one of the more applicable concepts in society today as it can be seen and reflected in many forms — TV shows, movies, social media campaigns, political rallies, or also advertisements. It is also gaining lots of popularity within society now as feminism continues to gain attention, where people discuss objectification and misogyny, which make it especially relevant. The concept of the male gaze can be used to dissect certain prejudices and stereotypes which exist among authors and producers, a reflection of the kind of progression we have in our society today

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1. Through camera work, black widow is depicted by the male gaze. In the scene where Black Widow is introduced, tied to a chair while interrogating mobsters, the camera initially focuses on her body and legs before showing her face. This shot emphasizes her physical appearance, objectifying her before highlighting her skills or intelligence.

2. Black Widow's costume is tight and accentuates her figure. While it's a practical outfit for a spy, the way it's presented, particularly in scenes where the camera lingers on her body, suggests an emphasis on her sexuality rather than her abilities as a combatant or strategist.

3. Throughout the movie, Black Widow’s interactions with male characters like Tony Stark and Bruce Banner often have a lot of sexual tension, which makes her look like a seductress. The script also includes moments where male characters comment on her appearance, further objectifying her.

However in black widow's solo movie, it shifts away from the male gaze and is seen from:

1. The camera focuses more on her face and expressions, conveying her emotional state and the complexities of her character. There is a conscious effort to avoid lingering shots on her body

2. While Natasha still wears a form-fitting suit, the film avoids sexualizing her. The suit is practical for combat. Film also has more fight scenes.

3. The movie also delves into her backstory, relationships, and moral struggles, portraying her as a complex individual. Interactions with other characters, particularly her sister Yelena, are based on mutual respect and emotional depth, rather than sexual tension or objectification.

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qoute: "I have an idea, a petite idea, that perhaps, just perhaps, this is a crime of the heart"

analysis: Hercule Poirot can be seen as a very intuitive person who follows his heart rather than logic and reason. The word "idea" makes his thought seem less concrete than an actual solution, and the "petite" which means small also de-values his solution. the repetition in "perhaps" also suggests the uncertainty behind his gut feeling but also shows how he holds a lot of faith in his intuition. "crime of the heart" is something that his character would usually say as he solves cases by looking at them from a more emotional and pschological perspective rather than one that follows hard evidence.