Femininity In Music Video Analysis

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Pages: 7

Music videos, like many other media texts, have the ability to spark sustained dialogue regarding societal, relational, and cultural representations. Through the visualizations produced as well as the accompanying music, music videos can offer their audiences true or objectified depictions of society and its associated norms, typically resulting in either a positive or negative portrayal. Both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’, for example, use their musical platforms to address society’s false constructions of femininity, specifically surrounding issues of feminine independence, aggression, and stereotypes in their music videos “Blank Space” and “Hold Up.” However, Swift and Beyoncé’s assumed feminine progression throughout their musical platforms are only partial and carry with them many negative implications as a result of the partial independence, justified aggression, and reverse and consequential stereotypes demonstrated within their music videos. …show more content…
In Swift’s “Blank Space” video, she attempts to create a satirical piece that mocks the ways in which media and society have demoralized her as crazed and vengeful woman, reliant on an influx of relationships, and demonstrating overwhelming control and psychotic dependence in her relationships. As a result, she constructs a negative and satirical image of herself in order to address the inanity of such derisive imagery and to juxtapose such imagery with her true self-sufficiency and independence. Beyoncé, on the other hand, responds to the cheating actions of her husband, Jay-Z, and depicts herself in a positive and powerful light, demonstrating her independence and resilience as she walks, bat in hand through the streets of New Orleans, bashing in shop windows and cars as she