Analysing Representations Of Gender In A Music Video

I am analysing the music video ‘girlfriend’ by Avril Lavigne which belongs to the genre of pop rock and pop punk. In this video there are two different representations of females. Avril Lavigne is represented as the superior subject in the video. She is shown to be quite an evil character as she is trying to split the couple up which is shown through her body language and actions. She hits the geeky girlfriend with a gold ball and pushes her away from the male. Avril is portrayed as an emo/Goth, which is understood through her black hair, and costume, which is a stereotypical representation. In contrast to this, the girlfriend is dressed in a chequered skirt and a pink cardigan over a pink t-shirt, emphasising her femininity, which contrasts hugely to the understanding of Avril being a troublemaker. Costumes and body movements have been the key to identifying the different representations of the two females. Avril happens to be matching in clothing in relation to the boy, signalling how they both have something in common. The costumes and actions clearly show the audience what character from Propp’s theory they are trying to play. Also, Levi – Strauss’ theory has been used as the two females are complete opposites; good vs bad, geek vs popular, masculine vs feminine. This is another way they have showed two different representations of women.

Avril Lavigne goes against the common assumption of men being the more aggressive and dominant force in  terms of behaviour, as in the video it is clear how she is the more confident and forceful in her actions, being the most forward and triggering almost all of the actions that take place. Additionally, you can argue that she isn’t represented as a sex symbol which is what female artists are stereotyped to be in this day and age. Even though she is hinting towards lust and intimacy in her behaviour she is not presented overly in a sexual form, which is clear through her dress sense. She does at one point wear a mini skirt but not to an extent where she is exposing herself or leading for the audience to take a ‘male gaze’. Commonly, women are portrayed as decorative objects that dance and look sexy as oppose to playing instruments and showcasing credible talents such as the art of creating music. Avril subverts this as we see her play the electric guitar for a substantial amount of the video.