Beyonce Formation Gender Language Analysis

GENDER IN FORMATION

Beyoncé is flipping gender roles and stereotypes by making it appear that she is the one to either give pleasure or allow her man Jay-Z to do stuff. It makes her appear numerous times as being in the position of power. The way some of the lyrics show Beyoncé is possessive could mean that she has control over some things that her partner has making her seem the dominant stereotype between a man. The fact she made reference to paparazzi catching her fly is both a sign of the power she thinks she has and making reference to a male term which demonstrates authority. She describes having sexual dominance over the man and giving pleasure to him. The term of taking the man to the mall clashes with the stereotype of recreational shopping being a female stereotype. The idea of working hard and grinding is often referred to a male activity in a setting such as a gym or hard work environment, not traditionally associated with women, trying to show they can work hard and pursue dreams too. 

Visual Codes (mise-en-scene, location, costume, props, lighting, facial expressions, language, positioning)

Technical codes (Camerawork - angles, moves, framing)

Audio Codes (music, accents, sound effects, lyrics, diegetic, non-diegetic)

FOLLOW DENOTATION, CONNOTATION, REPRESENTATION OF GENDER 

Denotation - This shot contains only one man, who is stood wearing a priest outfit in what looks like a church or village hall. There is no lyrics to go along with the shot as it is during the intro. The man is dressed very formally. There are no extreme colours with this shot, just very plain and realistic. The shot is a mid shot which focuses on the man as he is in the exact middle of the shot with nothing else surrounding him

Connotation - This image gives the impression that the man is in a position of power about to deliver some sort of speech or message to people stood infront of him. The stance he is posessing on the podium could be a reference to a politician or the president of america as they commonly use podiums like that. The feature of the crosses and the mise-en-scene of what the man is wearing could portray the Beyonce is somewhat religious or believes it has its benefit. The man looks in somewhat distress which could give the impression that it has something to do with the references to New Orleans floods and trying to cheer people up. The microphone shows that he has the opportunity to express his voice which could be down the the fact he is a man.

Representation of Gender - This image could show that he has power due to the way and place he is pictured standing and that he is at one with god and hope through the way he is dressed. It could show that he has a power over people due to the suit and intelligent due to the glasses which could be another male stereotype. However he could be show that men can be portrayed as scared due to his facial expression. It can present that with the power that men have, they are scared and not confident with it, undermining them. 

Link to Theory - I believe this is a Judith Butler theory as even though there is no demonstration of women in this part of the video, it constructs how people view men, which first come to mind is formal or in positions of power as a priest is. This constructed due to costume and is believed amongst social culture.

Denotation - The shot contains Beyoncé in the middle of a group of men in front of a building, all dressed in black. Men are all stood wearing suits with one man sat down on a chair next to them. It looks quite an expensive house due to the size and the steps leading up to the property. The shot is included a lot in the video so has many lyrics. The shot is a mid shot which can get all of the people in and show what they are wearing.

Connotation - As beyonce appears infront of the men, it makes her appear more important and the more dominant figure in the shot. Attention is automatically drawn to her as she is the one that is wearing something different to the men. Due to the fact all of the mens faces are visible and beyonce's arent, could give the impression that she is more mysterious than the men and the men could be there accompanying her in order to keep an eye on her. She has much more jewellrey on than the men who are in basic suits and the only thing that differs are whether they are wearing a tie or if they are wearing a hat. The repetition of dark colours on a lighter background draws attention and draws question as to what it symbolises. The men are very still in the video which could give the idea that they are her slaves or do what she asks of them, again giving the idea that she has control over them. 

Representation of gender - Due to the clothing, Beyonce is not sexualised in the image due to the type of clothing she is wearing and is left very mysterious due to the way her hat is worn, ultimately covering her face slightly compared to the other. The fact she is in front of them men gives the idea she is in control of them and has the dominant power over them. The men look very formal but appear as supports to Beyonce