A Semiotic Analysis of The Bodyguard
When watching The Bodyguard I realized that the film was made in the early 90s and I observed overt text that already has been uninhabitable. But considering the nature and length of this paper I will focus more on tacit and ideologically loaded text or text that has naturalized representations of prejudicial presumptions threaded through them that bas been excepted as "unquestioned assumptions" (Hall 20). Specifically, through semiology, I will look at the film The Bodyguard through the critical lens of exoticism and analyze the structures of meaning and origin of the text (Van Zoonen 74). Exoticism embodies the sense of romanticized "otherness" or being foreign (Van Zoonen 82). It is often associated with images and ideologies of primitive, earthly, natural, savage and sexuality (Van Zoonen 84), Defined by bell hooks, exoticism is first and foremost marked by racial difference and closely connected to colonization. Black females are stereotypically portrayed as untrustworthy, "oversexed, sexual initiators and woman of experience" in The Bodyguard (hooks 56). Historically, the image of the exotic, especially the black female, "provided a wonderful occasion to fantasize about all that was forbidden..."(Van Zoonen 84).
While analyzing the scene sytagmatically Rachel is the sexually forward one of the two and initiates the courtship. urthermore, in the film The Bodyguard exoticism is represented through the sexual relationship of Rachel and Frank. As they are talking Rachel takes a samurai sword off of the wall and begins to wave it around in a Warrior-like fashion while Frank sits in a chair and watches. Once the gates are open he has the green light to tame the savage. Romantic images of the restless native, cunning black criminal and "sexually available slave girl" is still seen across the lines of media but now ". This is evidence of the "recurring references" to black women in media are continually seen as something to be feared and desired at the same time (V!an Zoonan 84). One must ask them selves how do these tacit oppressionistic tools manifest? According to Stuart Hall these images and tools are ancient and even though some may not see them anymore the traces are still to be observed (22). After that was established it gave license to Frank to react. The sword signifies the marriage of sex and danger in exoticism (hooks 57) and the notion of deception.
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Acceptance Essays
