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

• 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  

• 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

    
    

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

• 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

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"

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.

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).

Things to look out for:

•choice of words

•definitions

•any repetition

•punctuation (eg commas, exclamation marks)

•anything else that catches your eye

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

• 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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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

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.

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.

—> 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

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.

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.