Bonnie and clyde essay

 Analyse the representations of gender in bonnie and Clyde how do key elements of film form enhance these representations 

throughout Bonnie and Clyde we see multiple different representations of gender Penn uses characters and the elements of film form to convey his ideas on this subject to the audience of the 1960s. The audience of the time would be active and taken on board the representations as this was a time of great change especially in America with a rise in feminism and reinvention of the conventions of gender all of which is seen in Bonnie and Clyde. 

Bonnie is used in conveying the idea of women being powerful and equal to men we see this in the scene in which Bonnie and Clyde rob their first bank together. This scene shows a change in bonnie from an innocent southern waitress to a powerful dominant woman. Who doesn't abide by the societal values of the 1930s. Such as women being subservient to men and the law as well as the patriarchy which was a highly powerful institution in the 1930s. Penn uses Bonnie to go against that and uses the mise en scene to emphasise Bonnie as a strong female mouthpiece for the rise of feminism by the gun and clothing she wears which does not sexualize her but instead allow her to look professional and stand apart with a bright orange jumper. differing from the other women in the scene as they wear grey clothing and camouflage with the background as women are expected of this time. Bonnie is shown to have power over the people in the bank especially the teller who is a male, he is shown as inferior as she holds the power in the situation and shows no fear. Penn even goes as far as to use Clyde to accentuate this as he is shown to be her equal in this scene portraying Clyde as her equal and 'partner in crime' defying the barriers of gender set out by the times. Cw moss is used as the inferior member of the borrow gang as Bonnie has risen to Clyde's equal. The casting of Cw moss is important in this as he looks authentically young.

Penn uses characters to convey the representations of gender an example is Blanche who represents a steriotypical innocent woman of this time and is present as juxtaposition to bonnie as they are placed in close proximity and present two completely different sides of gender representation. This idea is reaffirmed through the use of the camera when these two characters first meet. There is a focus on bonnie showing her from a medium shot as she poses to have her picture taken, she is shown as a powerful independent women as blanche is forced to take the pictures whereas bonnie does it of her own accord. Bonnie poses with the gun and cigar showing her acceptance and embracing of her lifestyle choice she chose of her own free will. Bonnie also embraces Buck with some constraint but she is overall welcoming. Whereas blanch is forced and appears as if she is only there as she has no choice as it is her duty to be subserviant and follow her husband.  She has no want to be there and is constantly forced around by Buck. There are close ups on Blanches face to show her disgust and objection to being there. This is the only shot where we see her by herself showing her as Bucks property. The costume choices for Blache as she is very covered up by her modest clothing as well as the hat whereas bonnie has an elegant more revealing costume. 

Bonnie overall represents the new age of women in the 1960s as sexually aware and in control of themselves instead of their husband having the authority. woman posses the ability to be powerful and dominant and through action able bring about change such as the Vietman war protests in the same way Bonnie protests against society by defying the law. Penn represents gender through the lens of film and presents this new age of gender through bonnie and Clyde.