A Semiotic Analysis of The Bodyguard

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).

. . .
For the “popular and widespread appeal of the image of the ‘wild savage’ feeds the western discourse of black female sexuality…” (Van Zoonen 84). thermore, in the film The Bodyguard exoticism is represented through the sexual relationship of Rachel and Frank.

By giving the audience no explanation for “ I can’t do this”, the audience is presume that the silence of this intermingling of black and white promises impossible love (hooks 57). Frank stands up, pulls the scarf from her neck, slices it in two with the sword and then engages her with a kiss.

The image of black woman cutting the air with the sword, a primitive tool of war, firstly and syntagmaticlly establishes her as a “wild savage”. This suggests that the overwhelming allure of Rachel is so intense that Frank is vulnerable and unable to resist (hooks). “The Whites of Their Eyes: Racist Idealogies

an the Media”.

The first scene takes place at Frank’s house, where Rachel and he ended up after a date that she asked him out on. The sword signifies the marriage of sex and danger in exoticism (hooks 57) and the notion of deception.

The first signifier is the appearance of Rachel unclothed and frank dressing himself. To illustrate this I will select two scenes from the motion picture The Bodyguard and take a semiotic analysis of the content and bring to light the tacit ideological structures.

Common topics in this essay:
Van Zoonen, Frank Farmer, Stuart Hall, , Rachel Frank, van zoonen, black woman, zoonen 84, London Sage, York Routledge, hooks 57, Cited Hooks, black female, cultural studies, unquestioned assumptions, film bodyguard, wild savage, van zoonen 84,

Approximate Word count = 1009
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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