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Representation in Humans - Buying Anita Scene - Coggle Diagram
Representation in Humans - Buying Anita Scene
Butler's Gender Performance Theory
The synths are not real, but Anita is gendered through her make-up and hair - she has long, straight brown hair and wears eyeliner and mascara; gender is not real, it is a social construct.
There is a close up of Anita holding Sophie's hand because as a woman, she is expected to take on a maternal role (even though Joe is Sophie's father, he instantly expects Anita to care for Sophie).
There is a close-up of Anita's ballet pumps; she is gendered through her costume and the concept of hyper femininity is referenced.
Sophie asks "what if she's not pretty?" before Anita is revealed - this reinforces the theory that there is an expectation that women are supposed to adhere to socially constructed beauty standards.
The male synth is playing golf (a stereotypical masculine activity) whilst the female synth is cooking (a stereotypical feminine domestic activity) - the issue of gender roles is highlighted.
Van Zoonen's Feminist Theory
Anita follows Joe's commands - she is passive whilst Joe is active, dominant and in control as a masculine figure.
The salesman says "this is the best thing you'll do for your family" to Joe, as though men are expected to be the active decision makers in the family.
"I'm the primary user" - Joe is presented as being active, whilst Anita is the woman who is used and objectified.
The salesman looks at Anita and winks at Joe - he is a sleazy 'lad' who objectifies women.
Anita is rolled in on wheels by a man as though she is incapable of walking herself and therefore must be supported by a strong masculine figure.
The zip lock bag covers Anita's head like a wedding veil - it is as though she is being sold by one man to another who will own and control her.
Gilory's Post-Colonial Theory
Anita is a literal representation of East Asian women who are viewed by the West as being submissive.
Joe refers to the white robot as 'posh' - whiteness is idealised.
Anita is a metaphor and literal representation of the racial other - she is an ethnic minority who is sold as a slave to be objectified and exploited by a white middle class family.
Alvarado's Racial Stereotypes Theory
Sophie refers to Anita as 'cool' in comparison to her friends' synths - Sophie fetishizes Anita, a metaphor for the racial other and a literal representation of an East Asian woman.
Joe stutters whilst talking to Anita - it was his idea to buy a synth, but he now seems to fear Anita, a metaphor for the racial other.
The salesman winks at Anita, and he and both Joe both look at her in a sexual way - she is fetishized, even though she is not wearing revealing clothing.
Anita is introduced with close-ups which are intimidating, whilst the rest of the characters are introduced with eye-level and mid shots - she is depicted as dangerous.
Sophie gasps because she thinks that Anita is pretty - she is fetishized in a non-sexual manner too.