I would like to take a closer look at competition and cooperation in the following video taken from the movie "Stepbrothers":
The competition in this dialogue is initially between Derek and Dale. Derek is telling his story about fishing and Dale tries to enter the conversation by asking about the type of fish that Derek caught. Both Derek and Robert proceed to pounce on Dale for interrupting the story. Both Robert and Derek are content with sharing the conversation but are not willing to let Dale in. Ultimately Derek is trying to compete with Dale to be the favorite son of Robert.
Cooperation comes into play between Derek and Robert. As Derek goes through his story telling, he asks Robert a question or two, and Robert answers the question and freely turns the conversation back over to Derek. And although Derek is telling a story for the whole table, he is primarily making eye contact with Robert. There is cooperation between Robert and Derek, but there is a struggle to let anyone else in.
I think this quote is a great example to compliment Cameron's article about men's speech. Although there are several people seated at this table the main conversation goes back and fourth between Derek and Robert as Ryan explained. The cooperation is so visible when they are talking and Robert adds in an "Oh my God," while Derek is talking. This phrase is just to add his interest in the story and is not meant to override Derek or talk over him. Another example is when Derek asks Robert a question that is relevant information to the story, which is again in a cooperative manner. I thought this was a great way to look at the examples that Cameron discussed in his article.
ReplyDeleteI think this clip definitely emphasizes the competitive speech that males are stereotypically associated with; from the topic of their discussion to the way that they speak over one another. However, Cameron also brings up the idea that male speech is not really that different from female speech. It is a little difficult to see this idea in this scripted scene but, there are still fragments of stereotypical female speech imbedded in this conversation as well. These are exemplified in the ways that the father and Derek are conversing with one another in a positive manner and the way that Dale tries to do the same by asking a related question; all cooperating with one another to “try” to build the conversation.
ReplyDeleteThis clip from Step Brothers mirrors the definition Cameron expresses in Performing Gender Identity. Derek shows the main signs Cameron touches on such as; talking to gain an audience, while it appears he is mainly talking to Robert the story he is telling is obviously being told to please an audience. The next way Derek shows his masculinity is his competitiveness to own the table's conversation, by making sarcastic remarks when Dale tries to get his say. He finally shows his masculine gender by telling an informative story about a "manly topic, fishing." Ultimately this was a great choice to compare Cameron's article to a modern day example.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the above comment stating that this example shows a bit of stereotypical female speech, further proving Cameron's point about male speech not necessarily being that different from female speech. They use some minimal response and make an effort to build on each others dialogue in order to create a conversation. However, i feel that the competitiveness within the conversation shows a masculine side that may be more common in a male speech environment.
ReplyDeleteFX's show "The League" is an excellent example of performing gender identity in an all-male dynamic. The show is centered around the concept of the very male gendered activity of a fantasy football league. It mirrors the concepts illustrated here of the competitive nature of all male talk and dominant speakers. In Season 3 Episode 13, "The Funeral" this is evident among the friends. Not only competition, but also interruption when the men are engaging in a heated debate regarding their teams and the "Shiva Bowl."
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