The Representation of Women in Relation to *The Cabin in the Woods*(Goddard, 2012)

1).What were Jeremy Tunstall's 4 character roles for women and do they apply to ''The cabin of the woods''?

The four charcter roles for women according to Tunstall are domestic, sexual, consumer and marital.
In Cabin of the woods only one of these character roles is present and that is sexual. Jules is seen as a sexual object more than a person. This is shown through her being a stereotypical pretty, dumb blonde. In certain shots low angles and close ups of her are frequent which also suggests we are suppose to be looking at her through the male gaze.

2).How is Dana typical of Clover's 'Final Girl Theory'?

From first sighting of Dana we aren't aware of her being typical of being the final girl. This is because we are shown her walking around in her underwear, however our first hint is that she is a brunette, and alot more introvert than her blonde friend Jules. Soon after we understand that Dana is a very studious girl, seeing as she wanted to bring along science books, and it is also suggested that she has a innocent childish crush on her teacher. When we arrive at the woods we understand that Dana is a virgin, and the embarressment she felt when Holden could see her getting undressed emphasises this. Throughout the film Dana is covered up in jeans, t-shirts and trainers, again backing up the Final girl image becasuse she isn't trying to be sexy in any way. Finally we know that Dana is deffinately the final girl because she is constantly fighting for her life and never gives up. It is also evidently clear when Sitterson and Hadly appreciate and admire her strong will to survive.

3. Jules undergoes mental and physical transformations during the film, what are they and how do they cause her to become a horror archetype?

At the beginning we are made aware that Jules has only just recently dyed her hair blonde. Within horror films almost always the blonde girl(s) will die first, this is because they are portrayed to be sexual, irresponsible and naive. People like this die first in horror films usually as a message to the public not to act like this, but also because it is probably quite realistic. Mentally Jules changes throughout the film, however this is not because of her own body, but because Sitterson and Hadley are controlling the environment around her and the hormones she is inhaling. Jules becomes alot more sexy and flirty as the film goes on, and soon enough her and her boyfriend are about to have sex outside. Dana and Marty suggest that Jules is not normally like this, however her boyfriend doesn't seem to mind and goes along with it, therefore sealing their inevitable death.

4. Is Mulvey's Male Gaze theory exemplified in the film and if so, how? Think about framing, camera angles and POV shots.

The male gaze is deffinately present within this film. Varied angles and close ups are used for both girls, but particularily on Jules. There are two different moments when we can clearly see that Jules is meant to be the sex object in this film. These are when Jules dances infront of the fire, and kisses the wolf head.

Dancing in front of the fire:

Kissing the wolf head:

Within this clip Jules gets dared to kiss the wolf head by Marty, she then takes it upon herself to make it a sexy as possible. The camera angles and shots also create the sexual tension within this scene. Starting with a close up of her ankles she begins to walk slowly and softly. The lighting in this shot is very dark creating an intimate mood. As the camera cranes gently up her body we see her hands swaying and touching her hips. This is already clear that the male gaze is present because this is what the males in the room would be focusing on. We then cut to a medium close up of Jules/ point of view shot from the wolf's perspective. This is of Jules flirting with the wolf head, although it's as if she's interacting with the audience because of the POV shot. As she's about to kiss the close up containing Jules and the head in the frame transforms to a extreme close up which is then when she starts kissing. This is a very intimate scene and has been produced like this to make the audience feel invovled with Jules. 

5. In the film we, as an audience, are made to be voyeurs; when does this happen and why is it important in regards to representation of character?

This happens alot throughout the film. The first time the scene is very innocent, and we are shown Dana in her bedroom wearing a vest top and underwear. The low angle makes it feel as though we are spying at her from street level and therefore are being a voyeur. However as the film goes on the scenes become more sexual.

• When the group arrive at the cabin, Holden goes into his bedroom where he discovers a see through mirror. At first he doesn't realise but soon, Dana begins to get undressed. This is the second time we are made to feel as though we are spying on Dana as a voyeur. This helps to portray Dana as being innocent because on both occasions it is us who should be in the wrong for looking and spying on her because she has never delibrately tried to come across as 'sexy'.
• Jules dances in front of a fire place. The camera angles are all low in this scene and mainly of Jule's legs. This makes the audience feel like a voyeur because we are focusing on one part of her body, and in particular a part that is linked with sex. Also the fact she is in front of a fire place, with music and relaxed lighting all connotes a sexual scene.
• At night when the group are all relaxing and having a drink they decide to play dares. Jules gets dared to kiss th wolf head. This makes the audience feel like a voyeur because we watch her walk up and then get point of view shots from the wolfs perspective. This makes us feel like the wolf, but we also watch as Jules kisses the wolf. Therefore we have all the feelings that the wolf would however we are only watching it.
• Jules and Curt later wonder off in to the woods. Here they begin to kiss and things start to heat up. Us as an audience are watching this happen. The close ups make us feel intimate and as though we are par taking in the experience whereas we cut to long shots where we realise we are watching Curt and Jules make love. Therefore we are being voyeurs once again.

6. (Briefly) summarise the way women are represented in The Cabin in the Woods. Are they objectified and there to provide satisfaction for heterosexual males and/or do they fulfil another role/purpose?

There are a few ways that women are represented in cabin in the woods.
One of the obvious ways is as sex objects there to provide satisfaction for the males. This character is Jules. Throughout the film she is objectified through close ups, lighting and angles. Also her actions which is almost always to do with sexual activity.
Dana on the other hand is represented as very ambitious. This is shown through her being studious; wise, because she soon understands that there is something greater controllling her surroundings, and also very determined to survive.
Lin is behind the ritual, however she is presented as being very caring. We see this because she feels extremely guilty about her actions and doesn't drink to celebrate but to drown her sorrows.
Finally women are also shown as being very powerfull. At the end of the film the director of the ritual appears and trys to complete it by convincing Marty and Dana that they have to die. She appears powerfull because she is strongly worded and forceful with her commands. Let alone she is also the reason these people were being killed in the first place.