The Feminine Mystique

How is sex used in horror films?
Sex is often used to distinguish which characters are going to die first. For example, sexually promiscuous characters are often killed off first, almost as if being punished for their ways.

Is it true that virginal female characters are more likely to survive in a slasher flick?
This generally seems to be true, as virginal characters are considered "innocent" and therefore seem to have no reason to die.

Some writers have identified many horror film tropes as relating to men's fear of women. Can you think of any horror film standards that make the feminine monstrous?
In the film "Jennifer's Body", the main female character is possessed by a demon, characterising her as an evil, murderous person.


Focus on the paragraph starting at the bottom of p.193 "The horror subtext is the lawyer's developing dread..." 
What is effective about the language in this extract?
The language in this extract is effective because Kael uses such powerful words. She's carefully chosen every adjective to emphasise her opinions on the issue.

How does Kael use lexis and semantics to create an impression of aspects of the film?
Kael uses a lexical set of horror terms to talk about the film. Words like "witch", "monster" and "terrorizes" all connote horror and fear or something threatening, This gives the impression that Kael believes women are made out to be terrifying and horrible in such films.


How does Kael use rhetorical features to support her argument?


How is syntax effective in this extract?
Kael structures her sentences effectively, bringing the focus towards the powerful words she uses to emphasise her point.

Rosie and Mahnoor work on women in horror films

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3zLybNBmtY

We chose to use this clip as an example as it shows the stereotype of the "helpless woman" in horror films, especially with young women as cheerleaders etc. She questions the killer of the protocol of what she is supposed to do when he's attacking her, leaving him confused. This shows that there is a clear "routine" in teen horror films. The girl is a flirty, promiscuous cheerleader which confirms the belief that women like this are normally killed off in horror films.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTR1vN0scKA


We chose this clip as this film is an example of women being targeted in films. The main female character is targeted as soon as her husband leaves her home alone. However, it is surprising as the first person to signify something is going to go wrong is a young girl.