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 in the Woods?

Jeremy Tunstall found that an overall conclusion from many studies into female representation was that women in media emphasised their domestic, consumer, sexual and marital activities. In The Cabin in the Woods Jules is represented in a sexual light.

2. How is Dana typical of Clover's 'Final Girl' theory? Please mention: the ending; Dana's appearance and her actions during the film.

Clover's final girl theory suggests that horror films usually have one, female, survivor. In The Cabin in the Woods, Dana is typical of the conventions set by Clover. She is a virgin with brown hair and is portrayed as the sensible one in the film. Another convention she displays is fighting back which is important in the two possible endings as stated by Clover. Despite her fighting back she was also saved by Marty which means that this film follows partly ending A and B.

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

Jules undergoes a physical transformation right at the start of the film when we learn that she has dyed her hair to blonde. This is important to the film and her archetype as typically

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

Mulvey's Male Gaze theory does apply to The Cabin in the Woods. We see an example of this when Jules is dancing by the fireplace. Here there is a POV shot that looks down her body as though we are the male eyeing her up.

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?

A voyeur is someone who finds pleasure in watching scenes that are usually private, such as those of a sexual nature. In this film there are a few moments where we as the audience become voyeurs. One example of this happening is when Jules is dancing by the fireplace. Just like the male gaze here, we find ourselves watching through a POV whilst she dances in a sensual manner. Another example of this, but a rather different one is when Holden is discovers the two way mirror in his room whilst Dana is changing. In the first example becoming a voyeur is important to representation of character because we establish that Jules is the promiscuous character who usually meets their demise first. However, in the second example we establish that Dana is the innocent character. This is the stronger example of the audience being a voyeur as in the film Dana doesn't realise that people can watch her. From this scene we learn that Dana is most likely to be the final girl, due to her virginal character.

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 fulfill another role/purpose?

The Cabin in the Woods portrays women as both objects to provide satisfaction for heterosexual males and purer, more self respecting individuals. Jules comes across as a sex driven woman with low self respect, willing to flirt with men outside of her relationship, whereas Dana comes across as a self motivated, self respecting woman who isn't worried about losing her virginity and so isn't driven sex.