Task 4: Male gaze theory

Laura Mulvey has proposed a theory that takes the idea of ‘sex appeal’ and puts it in the eyes of a typical heterosexual man. ‘California girls’ by Katy Perry feat Iconic rapper Snoop Dogg, takes a concept of a board game and pictures Katy Perry as the character taking the role of a board game piece.

As the video progresses we visualise Perry taking the internal form of a binary opposition. We see her acting in two different ways. It is apparent that Katy Perry comes across as virginally innocent. This is quite clear due to the Alice in Wonderland-esque act Perry has put on. She is dressed in a sincere outfit that suggests to the audience she shows innocence. Throughout the video we learn that there could be another side to the character pictured. We quickly see a change in personality and it could become clear that the actions of the board game have changed the characters mindset.

It wouldn’t be that clear that Katy Perry is objectified. For a large amount of the time in the video, Snoop Dogg takes the place of a controller over this fantasy world we, as an audience, get sucked into. Whilst it would be critically incorrect to brand Katy Perry a ‘Whore’ in her second brash personality, there could be potential to brand Snoop Dogg a ‘Pimp’, often associated with vice and the idea that women are an object as opposed to human. This portrayal of Snoop Dogg justifies the Male Gaze theory.

Overall, this music video collates with the male gaze theory and the ‘sex appeal’ associated with the way a typical heterosexual man would view Katy Perry, accordingly. The typical attempt to perfectly present Katy Perry is shown when she is half nude surrounded by a flurry of pink colour to create a stand out effect.