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Throughout time the concept of gender and the corruption of power associated with it has been a very evident problem within society. Many texts have been designed to expose these issues and in particular the feature films Heathers, directed by Michael Lehman and Shame, by Steve Jodrell. Both these films have been heavily constructed in order to position us as the audience to take a very negative response towards the concepts of power and gender and further an anti-conform attitude. Techniques such as narrative elements and codes and conventions have been used to mould these ideas and attitudes within the texts. Both the films Heathers and Shame can be deemed to be modern day Westerns however are quite subverted. They both develop the idea that conformity leads to tragic consequences.
Heathers is set in an American high school, Westerburg, in 1988 and attacks the idea of a high school hierarchy, where four girls particularly one, Heather Chandler, has the power within the school. On the arrival of a new student, Jason Dean, Veronica, one of the four girls breaks away and conforms to Jason. As a result she is led to kill Heather Chandler and later the footy jocks to make their school a better place. Shame on the other hand is set in a small outback, Western Australian country town, Ginobrak, in 1987. It deals with the issues of a small town mentality and that boys will be boys. As result of these concepts and issues, many young girls were raped and the town accepted this.
As Asta, an outsider coming into town, stumbles across these rapping's, she helps and encourages a young girl, Lizzie to face the boys and lay legal charges. In both texts it takes and outsider the hero figure to expose the corruption and help in acting as a catalyst to change. Gender relationships are a very explored issue within these texts. In a majority, anyone no matter if they are male or female who do not fit in or do not conform to stereotypes to an extent, can be cast out by that group.
Whether it is, their looks, their behaviour, the way they dress, or the way they think and feel, they are judged as different. This outcast idea is portrayed in both the films. In the two feature films, the most obvious outcasts would be the two hero figures the intruders into the created microcosm. Asta from Shame, is instantly pariah within the very male dominating town. She rides into town on her flash motorcycle, which symbolically shows her power and assertiveness. This contradicts the small towns mentality, beliefs and attitudes.
In Ginobrak, women are considered second-class citizens, and are oppressed to rape by the local boys. Asta not conforming to this submissive role in society and not wanting to be seen less than a teenage boy is deemed an outcast and is discriminated for her attitudes, she is called Botch. Just like Asta, Jason Dean, from Heathers, is to seen as different and of lower class. Coming into a microcosm where anyone who is not rich, beautiful, and popular or plays football are discriminated, Jason is not seen of equal standard: Who does that guy in the coat think he is anyways Lets kick his ass lets give him a good scare. However despite this he is an outsider of the school hierarchy.
He does not conform or fit in to any of the stereotypes within the school. By bringing in these two characters the strong conformity within gender stereotypes is exposed. Due to this exposure, the concept of masculinity is frowned upon. Conforming to the boys is a very large factor of masculinity. In order to not be ridiculed, and to be seen a real man, men must make actions, conform and do things simply just to fit in, even if this means doing something morally wrong. In the past society has promoted these values and bonds between males.
They have also dictated men to be tough. As a result of this, through time, men have developed into the gender with authority and strength, and women have been subjected to this. This gender stereotype has been developed and is evident in both films, especially Shame. Previously to Asta's arrival in town, Ginobrak had been secluded and women were simply seen as trophies to be won by the boys. In order to be considered a man, the local boys were subjected, by the group, to take part in the rapping's. Even their parents, especially their fathers, thought nothing wrong of it: The boys acted as nature intended.
This was comment one of their fathers made to Lizzie's father Tim, in order to try and make him drop the charges against their sons. Their fathers grouped together to have power over Tim, just like their sons had power over Lizzie. As a result of their small town mentality and the fact that these problems had been going on for years without consequences, they simply did not see a problem with their sons actions. In Heathers, to be cool, tough and masculine, the boys, the footy jocks, too resulted in being the aggressor gender.
They did this through beating up younger boys, squashing Jason Deans lunch and making up stories about their experiences with Veronica to enhance their manly hood. A friend told Veronica that Kit, one of the boys said: He and Ram had a nice sword fight in your mouth last night if you know what I mean. They made up these stories simply to show their power and masculinity. They simply wanted to look good and maintain their high social status within the school. After viewing these films we as the audience are made to question the concept of masculinity.
This is because is seems to restrict men from there full potential as their must conform within their groups. If it were not to show how masculine they were, would the boys from both texts have used the dominating position over women and each other to prove they were men? If it was not for masculinity would the boys not conform, be individuals and stand up for themselves? We dont know, however a very negative light towards the concept is developed. In comparison to this the women in both texts are perceived differently to the men.
Traditionally women are seen to be the lower gender and this is evident in especially Shame. They are submissive, scared and second-class citizens who work in the meat factory. In Heathers however, this lower gender attitude exists to a smaller extent and is more disguised. The Heathers and Veronica are seen to be at the top of the hierarchy however to stay there they had to conform to the boys.
This is evident when Heather Chandler was forced to do things she did not want to do and the Remington party and when Heather Mac asked Veronica to go out with the boys as a favour just to be cool and to be seen with seniors. Through veering from the stereotyped woman in Heathers, we as the viewer are positioned to see that although womens rights are improving, to an extent socially, they are still below men. The power associated with men and women in these texts is also stron...
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