Male Gaze & Patriarchy by Margori Mendoza

Portrait of Nell Gwynne by Lely
Made for King Charles the Second

Despite the fact that the male gaze has been an issue for centuries, for some people it is an issue that they are unaware of. Like myself, I only just learned about the male gaze last year but once I learned about it, I saw myself in a different perspective. As a woman, I am perceived as an object to be "surveyed". As described by John Berger in his book, Ways of Seeing, the male gaze is how men see women as sexual objects for them to view and be pleasured by. The male gaze is an implicit way that men show their power over women. This concept is well represented in the portrait of Nell Gwynne who was one of King Charles the Second's mistresses. In this portrait, she is laying on the floor as she watches herself get painted. While this painting was taken place, Gwynne’s nude body was not only objectified by the King, whom it was painted for but, her nude body was also objectified by the male artist, Peter Lely. As she’s being painted it is inferred that she holds powers because of the view that she gives both men, “… ultimately how she appears to men, is of crucial importance for what is normally thought of as the success of her life,” (Berger, 46). Unfortunately, not only did Gwynne but also women of the past and even women of today feel that they can only possess power by pleasing men. As Gwynne submits to the King she ultimately gives him the power that he believes is rightfully his and which all men crave, “This nakedness is not, however, an expression of her own feelings; it is a sign of her submission to the owner’s feelings or demands…The painting, when the King showed it to others, demonstrated this submission and his guests envied him,” (Berger, 52).

"Anaconda" Music Video by Nicki Minaj 

Even though Gwynne’s portrait is an example from the 1600’s of the male gaze, it has been an issue for centuries and is still evident today. The male gaze is still pervasive in art and pop culture of today because of the normality that it is given by the women in these industries. Today, it is not unusual to see women exposing themselves in front of the camera. By exposing themselves in front of the camera, it gives a woman a sense of power. This power enables them to make the decision on whether to sexualize their image, which in turn would flatter men. Although, the power women now have is a strong one,  they are still seen as inferior to men. So inferior that, “the ‘ideal’ spectator is always assumed to be male and the image of the women is designed to flatter him,” (Berger, 64). Throughout time women have had to conform to the male gaze and now they rather embrace it rather than have it shame them. In art and pop culture, many women do pose in a way to flatter men. Also, actresses wear revealing outfits during movies to flatter men. Not only, can the male gaze be seen throughout the music industry such as lyrically, through luring men with their sexual voices, but also through artist’s album cover or music videos. 

Quote by Bell Hook

The male gaze is an implicit normality of today that is rooted in patriarchy. In Bell Hooks’, The Will to Change, she describes patriarchy as a social order between men and women that gives men power and women are deemed to follow as their inferior. She explains how this social order was taught to her, and to most women, at a young age and it is meant to continue throughout their lives. In Hooks’ book, John Bradshaw states, “Blind obedience the – the foundation upon which patriarchy stands,” (Hooks, 23). This quote relates back to the portrait of Nell Gwynne because of the form that the painting was taken and how it signified the King’s power. Her submission to allow this painting to be made shows her obedience to the King. By having her submit to him it is evident of the power that he holds not only above her but also above all women and that is why the guest that he showed envied him.

Mother Breast Feeding Vs. Victoria Secret Model

Since learning about the male gaze, I can now give a definition to something that I always felt was evident in my life. Being a young Hispanic woman, I am prone to the “Hey Mami,” comments and stares. Not only do I constantly battle with the male gaze but I also am at war with patriarchy as a woman and as a minority. I have come to understand these structures as a normality that I and every woman must break in order to receive equality. Although, the power that women now hold gives them the choice to participate in the male gaze it also contributes to the submission of men by flattering themselves. This disregards the women that are completely against the male gaze because in order to break this social normality woman should cease their participation in the male gaze. For instance, in this cartoon of the mother breastfeeding her child, she is being told that she cant brazenly display her breast but, the Victoria Secret model's poster is doing the same thing. The woman is told that she is not allowed to do this because it is not what the men want to see since it doesn't consist of the way they want to see a woman because they rather see the women look appealing to them, which is the exact definition of the male gaze. This cartoon also shows patriarchy because the guard is angrily looking at the women like it's her fault that she must feed her child while the man is complaining. The guard reinforces the man's power because the women must submit to feeding her child elsewhere since breastfeeding her child does not appease him. 

Works Cited

Berger, John. Ways of Seeing: Based on the BBC Television Series with John Berger. British Broadcasting Corp., 2012.

Hooks, Bell. The Will To Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. Simon & Schuster, 2004