Rear Window

Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window tells the story of a photographer recovering from an accident. In a wheelchair and cast, he passes the time by spying on his neighbors from his rear window. Jeffries girlfriend, Lisa Fremont is a young, beautiful, socialite. She is obviously in love with Jeffries, but he fears marriage because they live completely different lives. He views her as the girl who never wears the same dress twice and lives in a fantasy world, while his job consists of no sleep, not many baths, and "..the food that you eat is made from things that you couldn't even look at when they're alive." I feel that throughout the movie Lisa constantly tries to prove to him that there is more to her than fashion. She puts her life in danger by escaping into a murderer's apartment. At the end she is reading a book on foreign travel, but when he is finally asleep she picks up her fashion magazine.

While Jeffries spies on his neighbors each person/relationship he analyzes through his window are different. In actuality, Miss Torso, Miss lonely hearts, the composer, the newlyweds, and even the Thorwalds are a reflection their current relationship, or how their relationship can be in the future.

Miss Torso is a dancer, and the typical blonde-haired beauty. She is seen in her apartment practicing ballet and also the center of attention of many men. At the end of the movie it is a surprise to see that despite how many male friends she has, she still loves one and is most excited when he returns home; Much like Lisa who is beautiful as well and could possibly have any man she wanted, but she still waits for Jeffries.

I think the Newlyweds reflect what Lisa and Jeffries could be in the future. Although bickering, they are still married and in love.

Miss Lonelyhearts is a middle-aged red head who enacts imaginary romantic fantasies alone in her apartment. I think this is a reflection of how Jeffries and Lisa's relationship could end: Lonely. In a particular scene Jeffries and Stella (his nurse) are watching Miss lonelyheart while she pours her imaginary date a glass of wine and burst into tears after realizing her fantasy is not real. Stella says "Maybe one day she'll find her happiness." He replies, "Yeah, some man'll lose his." It is as if he is watching himself and how he could end up a lonely heart if he doesnt take the opportunity to marry Lisa.
The composer entertains his neighbors with his music, especially Miss Lonelyheart. His music stopped her from commiting suicide. When he is seen entertaining guests at his parties he seems happy and fulfilled, but in the scenes where he is lonely he is empty. At the end of the movie, Lonelyheart and the composer are together. Each has something the other needs: Much like Jeffries and Lisa. Jeffries' gives lisa that sense of adventure outside of fashion, while Lisa gives him a sense of calmness.

Im not too certain on how Jeffries and Lisa's relationship can reflect the Thorwalds. Mr. Thorwald killed his invalid wife, possibly because of her constant nagging. They could possibly reflect their arguments. Im quite certain that Jeffries would never kill Lisa, but maybe the arguments can lead to the destruction or end their relationship.

King Lear

Coppelia Kahn gives a very different argument and interpretation of King Lear regarding feminism. "Kahn argues that Lear's transformation over the course of the play involves his gradual understanding of the woman in himself." I think the beauty in any piece of literature is that each person can interpret a writing differently, however, I don't think I can fully agree with Kahn's argument in "The Absent Mother in King Lear." Her points are valid, but I dont think it is fair to say that Lear is "getting in touch with his feminine side" because he shows tears and emotions.

The cirumstances that Lear is placed under are intense, and any human would be pressed to tears or torn emotionally. Throughout the course of the play he loses his three daughters (from betrayal and his own blindess), his kingdom, and ultimately his sanity. He's left wandering in his old age and finds that the daughter who loved him the most he wrongfully banished.

Kahn says,"In this patriarchal world, masculine identity depends on repressing the vulnerability, dependency, and capacity for feeling which are called "feminine." I do agree with this statement. This can be proven in the opening scene of the play when Lear plans to retire and divide his estate among his three daughters. He decides who gets what by asking to be flattered with words of how much they adore him, as if he is seeking attention and love.

It can even be assumed that because he allowed females to take power out of his hands and assume the male role caused him to feel of lesser value (or feminine.) Would he have felt the same way if power was taken away from him by males? Overall, I think he had every reason to act the way he did throughout the play. His world continued to spiral down even until his death. I would contribute Lear's outbursts, unstable emotions, and insanity to his old age and conditions he had to endure, not him being a feminist.