Practise exam question - Fingersmith

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of SEXUALITY using the following: camera, shots, angle, movement and composition, mise-en-scene, editing and sound.

In this essay i will analysing an extract from Fingersmith, identifying how sexuality has been represented in it. I will be demonstrating if and how the extract uses archetypes, generic types and stereotypes. Also i will be applying the Levi-Strauss' concept of the binary oppositions. I will be doing this with reference to camera, shots, angles, movement and composition, mise-en-scene, editing, and finally sound.

Firstly sounds is used in the clip as it helps to represent sexuality. We start of by hearing a non-diagetic sound, in this case it was a voice over. The sound was made to sound like it was coming from the women named Maude. The montage theory was also used during this scene as it allowed the audience to make the connection between the non-diagetic sound, and who it was coming from. The sound has helped to represent sexuality, as the words spoken was about feelings Maude had towards the same sexed worker, and how she struggled to tell her. This relates to others in the world who also struggle to come out and tell people that they like the same sexes.

In the same scene Maude's voice over had words such as 'she looks so beautiful' this showed the desire she had for the other women, but showed the fact that she was too frightened to admit it and tell her.

The next sound noticed in the clip was another non-diagetic sound, however this time it was background music. The music played when Maude gave a dress to the worker, letting the worker try it on. The music was light hearted and created a positive environment, this is a great example of a parallel sound. The sound helped to represent sexuality as it helped us as the audience to see the feelings Maude had towards the other girl, in a way it set a emotion of sadness as Maude was frightened of losing the girl.

As the film progresses we move to the outside scene, at this point contrapuntal sound is used as the setting is very positive but the non-diagetic music is very sinister. This music catches the audiences eyes, as the mood of the scene suddenly changes. The music complement the action produced in the scene as the man sexually attacks Maude. This can be related back to sexuality as it shows the audience the powers of both male and females. As a stereotype we know that men have more power over women, this scene therefore helps to show this as we see the man be in control of Maude's feelings towards the other female.

The diagetic sound produced by the dialogue of the man also helps to show that he is in charge and lives up to the stereotype of male dominating all women. Additionally another way it could represent sexuality is that the man is trying to stop Maude from telling another women that she has feelings for her, this could be related to the fact that stigma is attached to being a lesbian.

At the same outdoor scene we hear another diagetic sound, of the birds singing, whilst Maude is painting the women she feels she is in love with. However once the man appears, the birds stop singing. This technique may have been used to show that the man is only there to try and stop the sexuality between both Maude and the other girl.

Mise-en-scene also plays a big part in representing sexuality. Firstly the costume of both women were  related back to victorian times, as they both wore big dresses. We see that the girl is given a purple dress, this has many connotations attached to it. Purple can be related to sad feelings, but on the other hand it can also mean romance. This is exactly what is portrayed in the scene as Maude is in love with the other women, but has not told her due to what ever the reason may be, resulting in sad feelings.

As we move to the next scene we see the man, he is dressed in a black suit. This also has connotations attached to it, for instance aggression and powerful can be linked to black. This is exactly what is shown in the scene as the man is aggressive towards Maude and looks to be like he is in charge as he controls Maude from expressing her feelings for the other lady.

The costumes therefore represents sexuality as it distinguishes the difference between both males and females, and shows how men are more powerful and so in control.

The facial expressions used in the scenes also help to represent sexuality. At the start we see Maude's facial expression as she seems a little sad. This tells us that the situation between her and the women she desires is very confusing, and that she is sad. This may be due to the fact that she is struggling to come out and tell the women that she has feelings for her.

As Maude is then painting the other women we see that she is giving sexually desirable longing looks, this tells us that Maude has sexual feelings for women. 

We then move onto the scene when the man licks Maude's hands passionately, this represents sexuality and shows forcefullness which therefore represents masculinity. We also see Maude's facial expression at this stage, which shows that she it not enjoying it and makes the audience see that she's deeply in love with the other women and so does it to protect her.

The fire in the scene also represents the burning love Maude has for the other lady.

Camera shots are also used to help create a scene which represents sexuality. Firstly there was a close-up of the womens chest, this can be related back to the sexual relationship between both women. There was also a long shot of the whole scenery whilst Maude was painting the women, this showed the audience the romantic side of the story. However a high angled shot was then used on Maude as she was painting, this made her look vulnerable, as if she was in the wrong due to who she had sexual feelings for.

The way the clip was edited also helped to show sexuality in the scenes. Firstly there was a dissolve that was used to show time going by, this also emphasised her obsession and sentialality for the other women. The theory of Montage as stated earlier also helped for the audience to realise the connection between both Maude and the worker.  The shot through the mirror is also affective as it makes the audience a little confused as to of who is talking, this can be related to sexuality and how there is confusion between the relationship of both the ladies. Finally there is a dissolve put in where is goes from the image of a man to to the image of a half naked women. This shows the contrast of being straight to being a lesbian which is affective in terms of sexuality and how different sexes are portrayed differently in society.

In conclusion Fingersmith is a great extract to represent sexuality as it encounters many stereotypes that we see in society of people who may be different, as in they may like same sexes etc.