Music video theorists

 

One interesting video to analyze from a theoretical perspective is "You Belong with Me" (2009), as it incorporates themes of gender roles, identity, and the "gaze" in ways that align with several theoretical frameworks, such as feminist theory and theory of the male gaze. Let's explore this.

1. Feminist Theory:

Feminist theory examines the ways in which gender and power dynamics are represented in media. "You Belong with Me" is about unrequited love, but it also reflects certain traditional gender roles that are critiqued or subverted.

In the video, Taylor Swift plays the role of the "girl next door," a relatable, quirky, and somewhat "unconventional" female character who contrasts with the more traditionally feminine love interest of the song, portrayed as a cheerleader or "perfect girl." The video positions Swift's character as a more "authentic" and "real" version of femininity compared to the cheerleader, who is often depicted as a stereotypical object of male desire.

Gender Roles:

• The video plays on common gender stereotypes: the cool, tomboyish girl versus the more overtly feminine, conventional love interest. This contrast could be viewed through a feminist lens as reinforcing the notion of the "authentic" woman who is not defined by traditional beauty standards. Swift's character is seen as more grounded and accessible, while the cheerleader is presented as out of reach, and superficial.

• In the end, when the love interest (the boy) chooses Taylor’s character, it could be seen as reinforcing the idea that "real" love goes beyond outward appearances and stereotypical femininity, providing a more progressive reading of the video's portrayal of women.

2. The Male Gaze (Laura Mulvey's Theory):

The theory of the male gaze, coined by film theorist Laura Mulvey, suggests that mainstream cinema often frames women as objects of male desire, positioning the viewer (often assumed to be male) as a voyeur. In "You Belong with Me," Swift’s character is presented in a way that could be both critiqued and analyzed in terms of the male gaze.

Gaze and Objectification:

• While the video primarily focuses on Taylor’s character as the subject of the gaze (through her point of view), it also invites viewers to empathize with her longing. Swift’s portrayal doesn’t adhere to typical "glamour" standards, suggesting a more accessible femininity that the audience can connect with. However, the fact that Swift's character spends a lot of time fantasizing about the boy, especially when looking through her window at him, evokes the voyeuristic perspective of the male gaze — even though, in this case, it's reversed, with the "gaze" being directed at the male character.

• Swift’s character is not hyper-sexualized or objectified in the traditional sense, but she is often framed as waiting or longing for male approval. This sense of passivity reflects some of the classic themes of the male gaze, though the video's message ultimately subverts the typical narrative by presenting the boy as the one who must "realize" what is truly valuable in the female protagonist.

  "You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift can be analyzed through various theoretical perspectives. A feminist reading might focus on the subversion of traditional gender roles, while a male gaze analysis would consider the reversal of the typical voyeuristic dynamics in the video. Overall, Taylor Swift’s music video offers a layered and multifaceted text that invites multiple readings, making it a rich subject for theoretical analysis.