Browsing by Author "Newby, Brian"
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Item Observing changes in gender and sexuality in slasher film franchises(University of Delaware, 2009) Newby, BrianThe connection between horror and gender is nothing new. The context of psychoanalytic feminist film theory lends itself to the discussion of gender within the films themselves, but treats the films as a universe in and of themselves without any connection to society. The question I am asking in this paper is whether or not there are changes in the treatment of gender and sexuality in slasher films over time. If changes are observed, how do these changes reflect changes in the treatment of gender and sexuality in society? By using a reflection theory approach and a “doing gender” approach, I will discuss how changes in these films reflect changing social attitudes towards gender. I will do so by making observations about the autonomy and agency of primary female characters in these films, particularly the character referred to as the “Final Girl.”Item Tiny heroes, big symbols: small groups, values, and the proliferation of heroes in America(University of Delaware, 2014) Newby, BrianRecent sociological research has suggested that the social type of the "hero" has changed in contemporary American culture. These studies have suggested two possible conclusions to this change: that there are too many heroes and therefore the word has no meaning, or that heroes have been replaced with victims, leaving no heroes left in American culture. While both sides offer theoretical explanations for these conclusions, neither has attempted to empirically analyze how the word is being used. This study begins with the premise that neither conclusion is accurate. Instead, it is suggested that the dilemma sociologists have in determining whether there is a proliferation or deficit of heroes stems from the lack of a cogent definition of the word "hero." Pulling from various sociological studies on heroism, this study proposes that heroes are symbolic characters that are made the subjects of reputational claims. It is these claims that proliferate, not necessarily the heroes themselves. By analyzing how heroes are constructed by claimsmakers in social and traditional media, it is possible to understand the myriad ways heroes are constructed. In a culture predicated on individualization and democratic ideals, anyone can make a claim about a hero, and anyone can become a hero. The plethora of possibilities offered by this conclusion explains why there appears to be too many heroes and not enough of them at the same time.