Saturday, November 10, 2007

Holly Pepper - Gattaca

Gattaca

In the film Gattaca you are sent to the future where everything can be determined about you before you are born. This is so you will be genetically superior compared to someone who was born naturally and without predetermined genetics. If you were born and have genetic flaws you are discriminated against and have limited rights, freedoms, and are considered less superior compared the others who where genetically more superior. The film relates to ideology, hegemony, and power because they deal with control, and organizational processes. In the movie all three of these key terms in the book are made clear with the genetically superior groups in the movie that controlled society and were the illustration of what was considered power worthy, strong, and “perfect.” Through ideological control they took over power from those who were considered genetically flawed.

In the film Gattaca there were also a lot of similar themes that related to the book concerning gender, and gender discrimination. One is “Gender Differences at Work.” (pg.204) In the movie Irene (?) tells Vincent that she has a heart problem, and is open about her personal details, while he says nothing personal and reveals zilch. Gender differences at works talks about how men and women differ in the way they communicate at work. Irene in the movie is very passive at work, and does what she is told, always providing support and tentativeness. Vincent is the picture perfect example of how a man communicates compared to a women in the working world by hiding all emotions, being direct, abstract about personal matters, and only demonstrates knowledge, and ability to perform well. Another section in the book relates with the film called “Gendered Narratives in Popular Culture.”(pg. 214) In this sections is explains how ideology affects how we view professionalism through gender. In the movie Irene was a main character, though she never stepped out of her role as the typical passive yet supportive feminine figure. All the men in the movie were portrayed as competitive, strong, and domineering. I think that this relates to gender narratives because it shows that even though women are involved they are still put to the side, and male imagery of effectiveness and greatness is the majority.

This leads me to discuss gender discrimination compared to genetic discrimination in the movie. Vincent was genetically discriminated against because he was born naturally and had a heart problem, while Irene had a heart problem as well; she was mostly discriminated against just because she was female. She had the same job as Vincent though the focus was never for her to succeed and have her dreams become a reality. In the end of the movie Vincent chose to leave and go on the space ship leaving Irene behind. I think this is a perfect example of gender discrimination versus genetic discrimination in the film because both had the same job and heart problems but he was the one who’s dream became a reality, not Irene’s. This type of gender discrimination still happens in today’s society. Maybe it isn’t as noticeable in most circumstance, but it is there. Men still receive higher pay than women on average, even though both may be equally qualified. Why is this still occurring, when we know it is wrong? I guess this is because not everyone shares the same view that all are equal, and that is a sad reality.

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