Segmentation of societies into gender and gender role has been a common aspect from time immemorial. Many cultures, including the civilized ones such as the United States, have shown an inclination towards a patriarchal society where men are glorified at the expense of the women (Aitchison, 2013). Gender roles involved men performing some of the significant and the most important duties that generated a livelihood while women remained to do domestic tasks. Moreover, men held unwarranted stereotypes against women that pushed them to the periphery and denied them the opportunity to engage in the critical decision-making process in the society. An example of a film genre that exemplifies the gender stereotypes is the Zombie. Zombie films played a significant role in the popular culture before and even today. An example of a zombie film that reveals events consistent with patriarchy and gender stereotypes is “Night of the Living Dead” (1968). Although people have made many steps towards enhancing equality, gender and gender roles remains a contentious debate in the society today. Through the zombie film “Night of the Living Dead,” the characters reveal cultural ideas and stereotypes against women and the whole institution of gender roles.
Synopsis
Two characters in the film, Barbra and Johnny embark on a journey to a remote cemetery where they go to visit their father's grave. However, zombies from nowhere begin surrounding them, and in her bewilderment, Barbra decides to run away and seeks refuge in a farmhouse that is apparently abandoned. Another character, Ben, comes from the gas station and joins Barbra in the farmhouse. The two are extremely fearful, and thus Ben ensures that all the doors and the windows are secured. Reports begin to emanate from everywhere that creatures are coming back to life everywhere. Barbra and Ben are astonished that five more people are hiding in the basement of the premise including Helen, Harry, Karen Cooper, Judy, and Tom. Inside the house, Harry wants to be the leader and the movie, therefore, continues illustrating how the chances of survival for these individuals continue to lessen by the minute.
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Gender in the Film
As the film progresses, various instances of gender, gender roles, and stereotyping become increasingly apparent in the movie. Barbra, a female character runs away from a zombie in pursuit of her. She seeks refuge in the farmhouse and after meeting Ben; her stereotypical female gender becomes evident. She decided to sit in disbelief and does not talk or help Ben in any way. She, therefore, reveals her stereotypical female character as witnessed by her inability to assist Ben in securing the building. Her dressing and make-up coupled with her clean outfit all portray her role as a housewife hell-bent to appeal to the man. Barbra spends most of the time laying on the couch and rarely moves. As such, this shows her role as a housewife due to her inability and inaction. Helen on the other portrays nurse-like characteristics that emphasize her role as a wife and a mother. Masculinity by men is another major theme revealed in the film to stress the portrayal of gender. Men mostly focus on the need to exercise and assert the power and dominance. Ben reveals his power, courage, and determination, especially when securing the building. He also shows his authority when he asks Barbra to help him collect wood to bar the zombies from accessing the premise. Harry is another embodiment of a male center of power and domination as he regularly engaged Ben in a wrangle over the safest place to shelter. The film also shows the breakage of traditional gender roles as Helen refuses to submit to the power and dominance of Harry.
Sociological Theories
Structural functionalism theory mainly attempts to explain the role of the family and assumptions regarding gender and gender roles. Lindsey (2015) illustrated that the functionalists' argument is based the fact that the gender roles began before the industrial era when men engaged in activities outside the home including hunting and gathering while women were tasked with domestic responsibilities. The structure was functional given that the domestic responsibilities suited the women given that they had limited physical restraints caused by pregnancy and nursing the children. Therefore, they could not leave home for long periods of time. Lindsey, (2015) asserted that the roles became established and thus passed to the subsequent generations because it turned out as a way of keeping the family structure fully functional. In assessing the film "Night of the Living Dead," the structural functionalism theory can explain the character of Barbra who depicts a typical housewife especially by her tendency to not to engage in physical work but rather stay sedentarily in the room. The male characters such as Ben and Harry take the authoritative role of guiding the girls on how to remain safe from the zombies and also engage in the heavy task of securing the farmhouse. As the functionalism theory explains, it is only through such a structural framework involving observing roles and respecting one's position in the society that existence would have been possible.
Another essential theory that could explain the institution of gender is the symbolic interactionist. The approach focuses on understanding human behavior based on assessing the critical role of symbols in the process of interaction. It plays a significant role in discussions about femininity and masculinity. Grusky (2018) noted that human beings have created symbols in their mind and also attached symbols on to them. People perform specific roles attached to their characteristics as either male or female. In what is referred to as "doing gender" people exercise their gender based on what they perform rather than what they are. People have therefore socially constructed sexuality based on what one does and experiences (Sheppard, & Mayo, 2013). In the film "Night of the Living Dead," symbolic interactionist theory is evident as seen by the construction of gender in the farmhouse where the children are hidden from the zombies. First, Barbra's refusal to assist Ben is an example of exercising femininity. She knows her symbolically constructed position in the society that states that she is not tailored to perform difficult or involving work. Her heavy makeup and style is also a function of the social construction of women who are required to appear beautiful. Males such as Ben and Harry perform the work of security in fulfilling their masculinity.
In conclusion, gender is an important topic that has elicited a wide range of issues including gender roles, gender stereotypes, and equality amongst others. The film "Night of the Living Dead" is a zombie movie that has used fear and horror as a means of highlighting these topics. Through the interactions of the characters, the viewers can vividly experience the social construction of gender in the 20th century and further assess the far that people have come in restricting the institution of gender roles. Through sociological theories, the arrangement of the society as witnessed in the film becomes more discernible. Structural functionalism theory attempts to explain that gender roles began before the industrialization area and it was a necessary step due to the limitations of women to engage in the work outside the home. Symbolic interactionist theory, on the other hand, focuses on the symbols attached to males and females in creating their identity in the society.
References
Aitchison, C. C. (2013). Gender and leisure: Social and cultural perspectives . Routledge.
Grusky, D. B. (2018). Social stratification: Class, race, and gender from a sociological perspective . Routledge.
Lindsey, L. L. (2015). Gender roles: A sociological perspective . Routledge.
Night of The Living Dead (1968) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H91BxkBXttE
Sheppard, M., & Mayo Jr, J. B. (2013). The social construction of gender and sexuality: Learning from two-spirit traditions. The Social Studies , 104 (6), 259-270.
