How does this extract represent gender?

In Wire in the Blood women are seen as being uptight where as men are seen as being quite laid back. These representations are shown through Alex and Tony. Alex is a busy woman within the extract, she always seems to be rushing around. In her house before she is leaving, there is fast pace editing shown through straight cuts. This creates snappy transition between shots. This shows that she has no time to waste showing that everything has to be in order. If there was fades between shots such as fades it would suggest she had more time to spare. As well as this the camera movement is quite shaky. This shows us that the filming was done hand held. This suggests her trying to put everything in order in a short period of time due to the adding of how hectic the sequence is. The narrative adds to this feeling of Alex being uptight because she says, "meeting in 15 minutes", showing us that she has always got something on. Tony is represented as being quite laid back when he is spending time with Ben. The main contribution towards this is the mise en scene in one clip with in it. Popcorn is used as being a symbol of them two having fun within it. It ends up going all over the place and despite this Tony didn't turn sour within the way he was behaving. This shows he is laid back because in another circumstance it wouldn't be the same reaction. Also the high key lighting with in this sequence created a lighter bubbly feel. This suggests a happy, fun environment. Finally, the music used enhanced these effects as it was parallel to the image track. These two behaviours of Alex and Tony are following stereotypes in this respect because men are seen as being more laid back where as women are seen as being more uptight.

However, Alex and Tony go against gender stereotypes in the roles of their parenting. Tony seems to be better than Alex at a parenting role. Tony is seen as good in this position because when spending time with Ben, Ben opens up to him. Ben says, "She is always angry and always tired". This is a conversation that Ben wouldn't have even had with Alex who is his mother. Also the proxemics between Ben and Tony when they're sitting on the sofa are quite close. This extends the comfort that is shared between them. As well as this the camera is at a close up of the twos faces which enhances how close the two of them of become. The chiaroscuro lighting within this scene creates a relaxed feeling. This shows that the two are relaxed in eachothers presence. In contrast to this Alex doesn't seem to have a good relationship with Ben. She doesn't seem to have any interest in him but only in herself. Alex was trying to get a babysitter for ben, in failing in this she ends up just leaving him with Tony. This shows that she doesn't seem to bother what happens to Ben as long as she gets to her meeting. When Alex is walking down the stairs the camera follows and tracks her. She walks straight past Ben giving no attention to him. The tracking is also fast. Speeding past Ben. This suggests that Alex isn't interested in what Ben is doing and doesn't intend to either. This all shows the conflicting between stereotypes as you expect a mother to be caring and nurturing. In this clip it is a male role showing these parenting attributes.

Women and men alike are seen as being dominant in this extract through Alex and the men within the violent scene. Alex is shown as dominant with in two different scenes. At the very beginning the camera angles and movement suggest this. There is a track camera used when Tony and Alex are walking out of the house at the very beginning. Alex is racing ahead and Tony is following her. It suggests that Tony is taking the lead of Alex making her the more dominant character. It seems as if in this small sequence Tony is following her like a lost puppy. As well as this there is a close up/long shot at the end of this sequence outside. Tony is far away being captured at a long shot yet Alex's shoulder and half of her head is at a close up. She is bigger within this shot making her slightly more important. Finally, when Alex can't find a baby sitter for Ben Tony comes along. Alex says to Tony, "Are you busy tonight?" and before Tony can even answer he is left with Ben. Alex is in control with Tony throughout the whole extract in which they are featuring in. Men are seen as dominant when it comes to the violent sequence. The black clothing that all of them are wearing is seen as threatening and evil, this will ensure intimidation towards other people making them have dominance over them. The chiaroscuro lighting extends this sense of fear that would be put upon other people due to them. Their way of putting across dominance is the fear that they give off. Finally adding to this point a worms eye view is used with the main man. This worms eye view is used to suggest his power and make the audience feel as if they are lower than him.

Gender Representation in Music

"Geezers Need Excitement"
Geezerz need excitement
If their lives don't provide them this they incite violence
Common sense simple common sense
Geezerz need excitement
if their lives don't provide them this they incite violence
Common sense simple common sense

Out the club about three, to the take-away
The shit-in-a-tray merchants, shops got special perchant for the disorderly
Geezerz looking ordinary and a few looking leary
Chips fly round the sound of the latest chart entry
An incendiary waiting to blast
No harm with the contest who can throw the furthest
Behind the counter they look nervous, but
Carry on cutting the finest cuts of chicken from the big spinning stick
Then over flies a chip, flips, and hits you on the back
You spin round on the attack
'Fuck you playing at? he looks like a cheshire cat, almost falls down
Your frowns and superman eye lasers don't even register
By now you want to leather this twat
And forever your gonna regret that, your choice of path
So mash his head up and your girls now fed up
But stop to think and it's never gonna be the Jackie Chan scene it could have been to end up

Geezerz need excitement
If their lives don't provide them this they incite violence
Common sense simple common sense
Geezerz need excitement
If their lives don't provide them this they incite violence
Common sense simple common sense

So you owe someone money subbing scunny
Best pay me billy - no worries
One-fifty on sunday
But in someway that turns into wednesday
Then goes straight to pay on a hazy evening in the local bar-cafe
What a way. What a way
Just to recap for those at the back, this is everyday tit-for-tat you owe your dealer and
can't pay back fee
Suddenly he's the baddy
So you tell your mates you could have him anyway, to look 'geez'.
But he's a shady fuck, beamer three series, lock, stock and two fat fucks backing him up
Can't convey enough of his desire for the paper stuff
In a blunt fashion Billy's angry with a passion
So please just accept it ain't happening
And go back to your runnins
'Cos you might get yourself in trouble one of these days

Geezerz need excitement
If their lives don't provide them this they incite violence
Common sense simple common sense
Geezerz need excitement
If their lives don't provide them this they incite violence
Common sense simple common sense

Get hold of this bird after pub closing hours
Would your girl like this? No don't think so somehow, in the winter showers
But she'll never know and your face will never show shit
This is how goes it and besides she was well fit
And who could resist
Move up to the next place, a smooth club to flex bass beats and your best mates all down
Nice sound, smirnoff ice round.
MC's clowning, ruud boyz frowning
Everything's sweet everything's tucked-in.
And round here were all downing.
But all of a sudden though, just through the smoke, is your bird laughing and joking with a
bloke?
Ain't just that either, as she moves closer,
Miss-shape what looks like their lover - he's tonguing her.
All rage sweeps up through your torso, your moreso ready to go over and show him whos man
Football fan style
Leave it in the can for a while, cos even as they smile you still got choices
Don't listen to them voices
And at the end of the day you may just have caused this
So leave the forces

Geezerz need excitement
If their lives don't provide them this they incite violence
Common sense simple common sense
Geezerz need excitement
If their lives don't provide them this they incite violence Common sense simple common sense.

ANALYSIS
This song makes men seem as if they need something constantly going on in their lives, they can never rest. They like to feel feared making them feel dominant, especially over "their" women. It also suggests that men get themselves in to a lot of trouble, this can be in areas related to crime. Men in this song are portrayed as liking to chase women quite a lot, even though they want them a lot they are disrespectful in the sense that they are referred to as "birds". As well as this men come across as liars in this song, taking part in acts such as cheating. As well as this they like to be honourable in this song, shown through the guy not wanting to start a fight unless the other man starts one with him. Women are referred to as objects within this. They are either called "birds" or "his girl". "Birds" make the women seem very vulnerable and as a thing that is easy to take advantage of. "His girl" makes women seem as if they are a possession that the man owns. Women are also shown as being quite involved in revenge. This is because the woman has found out about the man cheating so she is getting with another man. Finally women are seen as not being important because they aren't mentioned a lot in the song.





"If I Were A Boy"
[Verse]
If I were a boy
Even just for a day
I’d roll outta bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted and go
Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I’d kick it with who I wanted
And I’d never get confronted for it.
'Cause they’d stick up for me.

[Chorus]
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man.
I’d listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he’s taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

[Verse]
If I were a boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it’s broken
So they’d think that I was sleepin’ alone
I’d put myself first
And make the rules as I go
'Cause I know that she’d be faithful
Waitin’ for me to come home (to come home)

[Chorus]
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I’d be a better man.
I’d listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted (wanted)
'Cause he’s taken you for granted (granted)
And everything you had got destroyed

[Bridge]
It’s a little too late for you to come back
Say it's just a mistake
Think I’d forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

[Chorus 2]
But you’re just a boy
You don’t understand
Yeah, you don’t understand, oh
How it feels to love a girl someday
You wish you were a better man
You don’t listen to her
You don’t care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
'Cause you’ve taken her for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

But you’re just a boy

ANALYSIS
This song is specifically talking about men from a woman perspective. It suggests that men don't need to make an effort with their appearance because they don't have to do their hair and make up. As well as this men are seen as always going out and getting drunk with their mates. When doing this they can go and chase any girl they want with no cares of respect. Also, it suggests that women love men better than men love women, furthering the point to say the world would be better if men acted how women do with love. Doing this they take women for granted, not listening and not knowing what it's really like to be hurt. Furthermore this song says that men are unfaithful and are liars. They can go off and cheat as long as their girlfriend isn't going and cheating on them. It shows men seem to destroy everything in their path having no cares in the world about who they are hurting. Women are shown as being faithful partners which want and need the same love they give back from their man. All women want in this song is for men to understand.





"Hard Out Here"

I suppose I should tell you what this bitch is thinking
You'll find me in the studio and not in the kitchen
I won't be bragging 'bout my cars or talking 'bout my chains
Don't need to shake my ass for you 'cause I've got a brain

If I told you 'bout my sex life, you'd call me a slut
When boys be talking about their bitches, no one's making a fuss
There's a glass ceiling to break, uh-huh, there's money to make
And now it's time to speed it up 'cause I can't move at this pace

[Bridge:]
Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say
I'll go ahead and say them anyway
Forget your balls and grow a pair of tits

[Chorus:]
It's hard, it's hard, it's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard for a bitch (for a bitch) for a bitch,
It's hard
It's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard for a bitch (for a bitch) for a bitch,
It's hard
It's hard out here

If you're not a size six, then you're not good looking
Well, you better be rich, or be real good at cooking
You should probably lose some weight 'cause we can't see your bones
You should probably fix your face or you'll end up on your own

Don't you want to have somebody who objectifies you?
Have you thought about your butt? Who's gonna tear it in two?
We've never had it so good, uh-huh, we're out of the woods
And if you can't detect the sarcasm, you've misunderstood

[Bridge]

[Chorus]

A bitch, a bitch, a bitch, bitch, bitch [4x]

Inequality promises that it's here to stay
Always trust the injustice 'cause it's not going away
Inequality promises that it's here to stay
Always trust the injustice 'cause it's not going away

[Bridge]

[Chorus 2x]

Bitch

 

ANALYSIS

This song is about being sarcastic about how women are seen. She is saying that women can have careers instead of being a house wife, that's not what they're made for, they should make something out of themselves as they are just as clever as males. Also she is expressing how women shouldn't be seen as a sexual objects. As well as this she is saying that women should be able to be as equal as men in the people that they sleep with. However she is being disrespectful to men slightly as she is saying that men are better than women in a sense. This is because women go through a lot more hardships than men within society therefore making them stronger. In this song she is saying how women shouldn't be judged on the size they are or the way they look. This is something she feels that all men do when they shouldn't, women shouldn't be made to feel as if they have to look a certain way. The sarcasm in this song is to make men feel as if they are being stupid, which is the way in which it suggests men are in this song.

 

 

 

 

 

"Trilla Intro"

[Intro - Rick Ross]
With kush and lean on my breath
The big boss Ricky Ross here is Trilla
You Know I'm talkin bout

[Verse 1 - Rick Ross]
Shout out to Gun Play - Shout out to T.O.
Shout out to Kenneth Williams - Shout out to E-Folk
Shout out to E-Class, nigga we eat fast
Shout out to Gucci Pucci, beamers with eat shelf
Shout out to Larry Hoover - Shout out to Big Meech
Shout out to Bunky Brown - Shout out to Fish Grease
Shout out to Falcon - Shout out to Big Ba
Shout out to John Doe - The hole Lynch Mob
(Shout out to Rick Ross) because I (Run This)
I was a trill nigga, bitch when I wasn't rich
Shout out to Brown Lee, slangin in H-Town
Gettin bank in the tank, knockin weight down
Shout out to Lil' Trea, triggas get pulled back
It's five stacks for a hit, betcha feel that
This the corner sto', pinnacle of ballin blow
In the strip club with 50 gram is all ya know
Shout out to Boobie Boys, young drug dealers
Shout out to Red and Blue, I got love, nigga
Shout out to Chi-Town, all the G.D.'s
Shout out to 3-0-5, I rep C.C.
Shout out to Lil' Jay - Shout out to Jay-Z
Shout out to 2Shae, I'm gettin straight cheese
Shout out to Wayne Parker, cook the 'caine harder
Shout out to Haitian P, he's so straight robbin
Shout out to Scarface - Shout out to Bun B
I met Escobar, my ring one key
Shout out to Trick Daddy, I got love, fool
We both millionaires, let's make some dough moves
I'm paranoid it's too much personalia
Puplic prosecutors got me preparing for failure
Picture pimp, picture me pimpin the pen
With all these pretty scripters that I can pimp with my pen
Oh no the Lord is my light and my savior
So I don't know is somebody coming to save ya
Oh Lord please tell 'em my game will slay 'em
Oh Boy that A-K gon' do 'em a favor
I don't give a f**k about death
'Cuz death don't give a f**k about flash
'Cuz flash don't give a f**k about mine
And mine never gave a f**k about my

ANALYSIS
This song is about men. It suggests that men should be hard and bad, in being the boss of people as well as taking part in crime. It shows that men like respect within their "crew" because Rick Ross shouts out to all of his mates in the start on the song, the whole of the "Lynch Mob". It shows that men should have an aspiration of getting rich so that they can live a life full of strippers and drugs. It suggests that men are obsessed with sexualising women along with having drugs. They should be "cool". They should be feared by people and be "hard".