All About Eve: Limits Of Women's Power
“All about Eve” demonstrates the limits of women’s power. Discuss
All about Eve directed by Joseph Mankiewicz’s in the 1950’s imposes limitations on the power of women, depicting them to be bound by gender expectations in a male dominated society. Within the film this is shown by the beauty and age of Claudia Caswell and Margo Channing’s insecurities. The women’s reliance and dependence on men which suggests they are controlled. The ruthless ambition that women poses to have a successful career are based around displaying masculine traits.
Within All about Eve the beauty and age of women causes conflict between many characters. Margo Channing began her acting career at the young age of four. Addison states this during the opening scenes introducing all the characters which he says about Margo “First appearance at the age of four in Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This suggest that the theatre is interested in youth which Margo does not poses as she explains the age difference between Bill and herself “Bill’s thirty two, he looked it five years ago”. This quote is a comparison to men as they do not have to worry about their appearance or age. Margo is very insecure about herself as she believes she is quite old for the theatre and believe that the theatre is for …show more content…
young beautiful women for example Claudia Caswell. Claudia was found by Addison who sees potential in her as she has all the feminine qualities the theatre look for. Although Claudia has no formal position within the theatre, Addison explains to her that she must talk to Max Fabian. Seductively Claudia says to Max “Thank you Mr Fabian” which tells the audience that Claudia will go to any lengths to get what she wants which is to be in the theatre. This demonstrates that women’s power within the theatre is limited, even though age and beauty should not matter, it plays a large part in the decisions of who to choose for the positions within plays.
Women in All about Eve must rely and depend on men to be successful. They are controlled by men. Whatever men say within the theatre the women must do otherwise their career could be on the line. Margo states “All the religions in the world rolled into one and we’re Gods and Goddesses” which highlights the egotistical nature of humanity as they are described in animalistic terms later on in the film. Although Margo believes she does what she wants, the men still have complete power over her. The reliance of men is powerful when Addison says “Wife of the playwright, therefore of the theatre by marriage”. Although Karen is only in the theatre because of her relationship with Lloyd she does play a vital role as a woman. During the practicing’s of the play you can see all the men standing close to the camera as well as the actors on stage however Karen is always in the background just watching from a distance which shows how men control the position of women in terms of societal status. The limits of women’s power are based around what men command them to do. All women in All about Eve rely on the men as they are very dominating and have power within their chosen career.
Ruthless ambition is necessary for women within All about Eve to have a successful career in the theatre.
The ruthless ambition of gaining what they want is powerful as Eve states when accepting the Sarah Siddons Society award “… and the theatre itself, which has given me all I have”. It shows that Eve only has a trophy in exchange for her loss of friends and those driven by false values gain little worth. Throughout the film Eve shows many masculine traits which allows her to gain success within the theatre however at the cost of losing everything else. It is not only women who have ambition within All about Eve, men have ambition but it is not necessary for their career in the theatre as they have
power.
In All about Eve women have limits in which they must work in to be successful within the theatre. Men very dominate in the theatre and tell all the women what to do. Beauty and age is a necessity in the theatre world, Eve has both beauty and age whereas Margo only has the beauty which creates great conflict between characters as Eve tries to become the next Margo Channing. The reliance on men is vital to gain access into a career within the theatre as they have all the power which they use drastically to get what they want. This includes demanding women to do what they want. The ruthless ambition on women in film is subsequently the main focus. In the end the woman who displays the most masculine traits and has the beauty and correct age with get a job in the theatre. This demonstrates the limits of power as men have the total control throughout the film.
Planning of paragraphs
Beauty & age:
Claudia Caswell
Margo’s insecurities
Reliance and dependence on men:
Karen, Eve, Margo and Claudia are all controlled by men
Ruthless Ambition. Women need ruthless ambition to have a successful career whereas men have ambition however not necessary for their career. Women need masculine traits
All about Eve directed by Joseph Mankiewicz’s in the 1950’s imposes limitations on the power of women, depicting them to be bound by gender expectations in a male dominated society. Within the film this is shown by the beauty and age of Claudia Caswell and Margo Channing’s insecurities. The women’s reliance and dependence on men which suggests they are controlled. The ruthless ambition that women poses to have a successful career are based around displaying masculine traits.
Within All about Eve the beauty and age of women causes conflict between many characters. Margo Channing began her acting career at the young age of four. Addison states this during the opening scenes introducing all the characters which he says about Margo “First appearance at the age of four in Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This suggest that the theatre is interested in youth which Margo does not poses as she explains the age difference between Bill and herself “Bill’s thirty two, he looked it five years ago”. This quote is a comparison to men as they do not have to worry about their appearance or age. Margo is very insecure about herself as she believes she is quite old for the theatre and believe that the theatre is for …show more content…
young beautiful women for example Claudia Caswell. Claudia was found by Addison who sees potential in her as she has all the feminine qualities the theatre look for. Although Claudia has no formal position within the theatre, Addison explains to her that she must talk to Max Fabian. Seductively Claudia says to Max “Thank you Mr Fabian” which tells the audience that Claudia will go to any lengths to get what she wants which is to be in the theatre. This demonstrates that women’s power within the theatre is limited, even though age and beauty should not matter, it plays a large part in the decisions of who to choose for the positions within plays.
Women in All about Eve must rely and depend on men to be successful. They are controlled by men. Whatever men say within the theatre the women must do otherwise their career could be on the line. Margo states “All the religions in the world rolled into one and we’re Gods and Goddesses” which highlights the egotistical nature of humanity as they are described in animalistic terms later on in the film. Although Margo believes she does what she wants, the men still have complete power over her. The reliance of men is powerful when Addison says “Wife of the playwright, therefore of the theatre by marriage”. Although Karen is only in the theatre because of her relationship with Lloyd she does play a vital role as a woman. During the practicing’s of the play you can see all the men standing close to the camera as well as the actors on stage however Karen is always in the background just watching from a distance which shows how men control the position of women in terms of societal status. The limits of women’s power are based around what men command them to do. All women in All about Eve rely on the men as they are very dominating and have power within their chosen career.
Ruthless ambition is necessary for women within All about Eve to have a successful career in the theatre.
The ruthless ambition of gaining what they want is powerful as Eve states when accepting the Sarah Siddons Society award “… and the theatre itself, which has given me all I have”. It shows that Eve only has a trophy in exchange for her loss of friends and those driven by false values gain little worth. Throughout the film Eve shows many masculine traits which allows her to gain success within the theatre however at the cost of losing everything else. It is not only women who have ambition within All about Eve, men have ambition but it is not necessary for their career in the theatre as they have
power.
In All about Eve women have limits in which they must work in to be successful within the theatre. Men very dominate in the theatre and tell all the women what to do. Beauty and age is a necessity in the theatre world, Eve has both beauty and age whereas Margo only has the beauty which creates great conflict between characters as Eve tries to become the next Margo Channing. The reliance on men is vital to gain access into a career within the theatre as they have all the power which they use drastically to get what they want. This includes demanding women to do what they want. The ruthless ambition on women in film is subsequently the main focus. In the end the woman who displays the most masculine traits and has the beauty and correct age with get a job in the theatre. This demonstrates the limits of power as men have the total control throughout the film.
Planning of paragraphs
Beauty & age:
Claudia Caswell
Margo’s insecurities
Reliance and dependence on men:
Karen, Eve, Margo and Claudia are all controlled by men
Ruthless Ambition. Women need ruthless ambition to have a successful career whereas men have ambition however not necessary for their career. Women need masculine traits