Ron's comments on the effects of the rape scene in Kill Bill merit further
consideration. He writes:
The men are so despicable that they alienate the male
> audience and force masculinity to look at itself in all its vile
> manifestations. The male viewer is compelled to identify with the woman to
> such a degree that the masculine is relegated to a position of
inferiority,
> but ironically these men are so disgusting and vile that any respectable
> male in the audience would immediately deny any identification with their
> heinous intentions. Although these men and men, male spectator would
> undoubtedly disavow them and feel ironically protective toward a woman
whose
> way with the sword is unmatched. Any spectator would immediately feel
guilty
> for any such associations and might hitherto be "fearful" of regarding
> Thurman as an object of sexual desire. It is very difficult to look at her
> through the lascivious eye of the male gaze--it is a gaze which reflects
> back upon itself and sees itself looking with guilt and repulsion.
Is not the spectre of homosexuality raised here? The dis-ease of the male
viewer might also a result of a homophobic cultural response. Surely
Tarantino is bringing these currents into play. As I recall there is a male
rape scene in Pulp Fiction. And the notion of the male gaze being turned
upon itself certainly merits further consideration.
Elaine Pigeon
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