Objectification And Commodification Of Women In The Film Jasper Jones
What does it mean to be a man? Many would claim that can be only answered by the male population. Interestingly enough, it is the societal definition of masculinity that becomes the root of toxic masculinity. Society socialises boys and men to conform to a definition of masculinity that emphasises toughness, stoicism, acquisitiveness, secretive nature and self-reliance. Toxic masculinity is not a synonym for masculinity and it does not refer to all men or all expressions of masculinity. Toxic masculinity refers to limiting expectations of what it means to be a man. Moreover, all these expectations lead to aggressive, emotionally stunted males who harm not just themselves but their children, partners and others. In 2017, the #MeToo has made headlines all over social media, news, UN, prompting girls and women from around the world to share their experience of sexual abuse and harassment. The #MeToo is a powerful movement for women that gives them a chance to demonstrate the extent of sexual assault and harassment that they face across society. The film, Jasper Jones, explores the concepts of objectification and commodification of women and generally considers the treatment of women, as well as men’s propensity towards violence. Objectification of women is treating women as a mere object of sexual desire, as a commodity or an object without regard to their personality or dignity. Objectification and commodification are the leading cause of propensity of violence that a man shows up on his partner, female children’s and girls in the public which leads to domestic violence, fighting, etc.
When it comes to sexual or romantic relationships or even friendly interactions with women, toxic masculinity asserts that men should always be dominant over women, leading to misogynistic and objectifying beliefs that women are less than men and should be treated as such. Let’s explore the theme of objectification and commodification of women by considering an example from the film, Jasper Jones. In the film, Laura’s father, Pete Wishart, raped and regularly abused her both sexually and physically. It was later revealed during the movie that Laura committed suicide and that she was pregnant with her own father’s child. Now analyse – name the director and suggest what she wants the viewer to believe about men. . .
The film demonstrates from time to time that women were just considered as a sexual commodity by masculine men and were subject to abuse. Throughout the film, Pete Wishart was seen as a caring man to others in the society, a man that has no secrets and can do nothing wrong but that was only what other people could see, but he was completely different at home. He was an alcoholic, abusive man who took his anger on his wife and daughters. This shows a significant meaning that many men are completely innocent, pure-hearted beings in the eyes of the public, but the impact of their toxic masculinity are having a substantial burden on their family.
Why are men so violent? Is it because society tells them they should use violence to gain respect from others. The film Jasper Jones shows examples of a very Australian cultural trait that men will always be abusive, try to show off their muscular strength in public and their propensity to violence. This behaviour is demonstrated when the two policemen who tried to wrestle and restrain Jasper Jones in front of the people. Later we see Jasper limping badly, blood smeared across his nose, a bloody cut to the eye.
Jasper says that he can’t hear because he was hit on his year multiple times. Take another example, in a scene of violence, several men invade the front yard of a man’s house and violently attack him. They call him several words like ‘red rat’, punch him in his face, beat him up and knocked him to the ground. Men and boys are more likely than women to perpetrate nearly all types of violence such as domestic violence, murder, assault, rape, etc. Gender norms and social constructions of the idea about masculinity are at the root of most physical abuse by men against others.
Jasper Jones was set in a time where masculinity was everything, men had to be strong, masculine, and dominant. But Charlie’s Bucktin father was utterly a different man with positive, strong-traditional man and a great role model who does not display any impacts of toxic masculinity. Wesley Bucktin is a brilliant man, calm and patient, he loves his family so much, and he would do anything for him. Wesley is usually honest, but he is a little secretive. The film exemplified the positive behaviour of Wesley in a scene when his neighbours were attacked by a group of men, and he tried to help them. Wesley represents
The twenty-first century is not the 50s or 80s, being a man isn’t meant rebelling against others, isn’t show toughness, avoidance of emotional expression, physical, sexual and intellectual dominance and devaluation of women. The society must change the attitude of “boys will be boys” embedded in everyone’s thoughts and actions. Our current definition of masculinity is minimal, and it is that inadequate understanding of what it is to be a male in a society that may lead to toxic masculinity. We want a new definition of masculinity that retains positive traits such as bravery, protectiveness while creating a new definition that includes the full range of human emotions. The characters in the film Jasper Jones embodies views on objectification and commodification of women and propensity to violence. The film shows the audience examples of toxic masculinity and a positive strong-traditional man who displays positive traits that a man should have. To address the issues of toxic masculinity and the attitude of boys will be boys, awareness campaign and movements such as #Me-too movement must rise and is well overdue.
