“The Male Gaze” is a concept proposed by film scholar Laura Mulvey. The theory suggests that in a narrative system dominated by men, women are often placed in the position of “the object to be looked at” and their bodies and behaviors are presented through the male perspective. In film and television works, “The Male Gaze” is a common phenomenon.
Gentlemen of East 8th is a urban emotional drama that tries to explore life, ideals and love from the perspective of four middle-aged men. However, the work has been widely criticized for its “Mary Sue plot from a male perspective”. Each female character seems to have become a mere accessory to the male characters. The male leads in the drama correspond to suspended plot settings – from Silicon Valley elites to college teachers and online bloggers – almost every storyline revolves around satisfying the growth and desires of male characters through the sacrifices of female characters. This narrative style highlights the core problem of “male gaze”: women are no longer independent individuals with flesh and blood, but are reduced to tools and symbols.
What’s even more uncomfortable is that in this drama, the interactions between the male and female protagonists are not only filled with sexual innuendos but also mingled with the humiliation and stigmatization of women’s normal physiological processes, reinforcing unequal gender concepts. In the drama, women not only lack independent narrative rights but are also given stereotypes like “the most terrifying animals after being hurt,” placing them in a completely subordinate position of being scrutinized and ridiculed.
This type of drama that highlights male dominance at the expense of women’s independence not only falls behind the times, but also exposes the creators’ indifference towards gender issues. In the current film and television environment, audiences’ expectations for gender equality and female agency have already risen, and works like Gentlemen of East 8th stand out as particularly jarring. A truly outstanding work should not treat either gender as a consumption object, but should tell the story in a respectful manner. Only in this way can we create film and television works that are in line with the spirit of the times and truly touch people’s hearts.
References:
Mulvey, L. (1975) ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRBClVey5BqyqHSkBPh9hS5y0Yuw4sQkb&si=EAMWsu8GHC6CGbmD
Hello! Your blog critically analyzes how “Gentlemen of the East Eighth District” reinforces gender stereotypes. I couldn’t agree more with your point about “the instrumentalization of female characters” and hope to expand the discussion from the following angles.
You point out that the instrumental depiction of female characters in “Gentlemen of the East Eighth District” directly reflects the dominance of the “male gaze”. However, I think it is worth further exploring whether this gaze has entered the implicit stage. Although many contemporary film and television productions ostensibly emphasize female independence, in fact, they still place women in the position of “being stared at” through subtle camera language or implicit plot logic. For example, in many modern dramas, female characters are ostensibly elite in the workplace or strong in life, but the plot still focuses on how they cater to male expectations or help male characters grow by sacrificing their careers. This “pseudo-independent” narrative masks the essence of gender inequality, but audiences are prone to see it as a manifestation of progress. Do you think this implicit “male gaze” is harder to identify and more profound than traditional stereotypes?
In addition, you mentioned that the audience’s expectations of gender equality and female subjectivity have increased, which is very important. In recent years, some film and television works have tried to break through the “male gaze” narrative and give female characters more independence. For example, “My Sister” is narrated from a female perspective, showing how women struggle and grow in family responsibilities and personal dreams. The film has been widely praised, indicating that audiences expect more works that truly reflect women’s experiences and perspectives. However, this also raises the question: In the face of the audience’s growing awareness of gender equality, will creators cater to audiences due to market pressure, leading to the emergence of new “formal independent women” images? In other words, is it possible for creators to “commoditize” female characters, drawing attention with apparent equality, but not actually changing gender stereotypes?
A short but brilliant blog is about the horrible male gaze the objectification of women in TV drama and overall the discrimination against women in these shows. I think the way they treat women in this show is disgusting, dehumanizing and sexist. No one should be portrayed in such nasty gross ways. We need gender equality and bringing this to people’s attention is only the first step of many but still, good work!
This a short but brilliant blog about the horrible male gaze and the objectification of women in TV drama and overall the discrimination against women in these shows. I think the way they treat women in this show is disgusting, dehumanizing and sexist. No one should be portrayed in such nasty gross ways. We need gender equality and bringing this to people’s attention is only the first step of many but still, good work!
Edit: Fixed some stuff
Hi, I think this critique does a great job pointing out how Gentlemen of East 8th shows women through a “male gaze,” where their characters only exist to support the men’s stories and growth. It’s frustrating that the female characters are not given their own independent storylines or development. Instead, they are reduced to stereotypes and are often humiliated, which only reinforces outdated ideas about gender. The way the show includes sexual innuendos and makes women’s natural bodily functions a source of shame is disturbing. In today’s world, where audiences expect more equality and respect for women in media, this show feels like it’s stuck in the past. Good storytelling should treat all characters with fairness and depth, no matter their gender.