Rear Window

"film on the other hand, extends our comprehension of the necessities which rule our lives; on the other hand, it manages to assure us of an immense and unexpected field of action." - Walter Benjamin. I directly linked this closing argument to Rear Window. What is the significance of Miss Torso's role in this film.

Miss Torso is a complicated character presented to us only through the peeping eyes of L.B. Jefferies. In the beginning she totally satisfies Freud's / Mulvey's interpretation of a woman's role in film. As Mulvey says, "The determining male gace projects its fantasy onto the female figure." L.B. Jefferies sees her as purely physical as she trounces about in her scandalous attire. What is the significance of her being presented as a sexual spectacle right off the bat?

"liberal use of subjective camera from the point of view of the male protagonist draw the spectators deeply into his position, making them share his uneasy gaze.-Mulvey. We are blatantly aware of the sexual spectacle that Miss Torso represents. Since, the audience is aware of this feeling it allows for us to agree with it, or disagree. What is the significance of being able to form an individual opinion on a sexual spectacle?

When we are aware of such a spectacle we can start to question the correctness of our assumptions. The entire movie the characters look in on Miss Torso and make assumptions about her. Just like in society pretty young women who put themselves on display immediately are judged and put into a certain category. However, in the picture above is the twist. Hitchcock shows her with her lover. A short, dorky, military man. Completely smashes all the assumptions about her. What is the significance of Miss Torso not being what we expect?

The fact that Miss Torso does not chose to love any of the wealthy (sleazy) men who come over for her party show her in not just a sexual light, but shows her as a woman of substance. She obviously loves for love (not money or looks which you would expect). I think that setting her up as the standard "woman spectacle" and then proving it wrong makes the viewer think twice about making assumptions in the real world. Just like you can't judge a book by a cover, you can't judge a woman on sex appeal alone.