Interpreting Masculine Domination in Two Abortion Films: 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days and Vera Drake

RIca Ancheta

Interpreting Masculine Domination in Two Abortion Films

4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days and Vera Drake

Authors

RIca Ancheta San Beda College-Alabang

Keywords:

masculine domination, patriarchy, implicit backgrounds, narrative analysis, socio-cultural codes

Abstract

Cognizant that masculine domination is both an explicit and implicit datum in our lived world, this paper demonstrates that a narrative is better analyzed and understood if its implicit socio-cultural background is brought into view. Using the two films, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days and Vera Drake as launching pads for analysis, this paper will show how a “face value” may have to be revised into its “true value” as soon as the implicit is disclosed. This exercise intends to uncover both the foreground and background modes of masculine domination in the two films. A re-imaging of female/male identities is done through a critical reading of the biblical Creation Story.

Author Biography

RIca Ancheta, San Beda College-Alabang

Dr. Rica delos Reyes-Ancheta is an Associate Professor at San Beda College-Alabang. She earned her M. A. in Education and her Ph.D. in Applied Theology from De la Salle University, Manila. Her research interests are religious studies, culture, care ethics, feminism, school management, and curriculum development. She has published articles in local and international journals. Her latest work, “An Analysis of Gender Stereotyping in the Case of Karen Vertido,” appeared in Scientia 6/2 (2017): 77-92.

Interpreting Masculine Domination in Two Abortion Films: 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days and Vera Drake