Oppositional Looking: A Critical Interrogation of The White Female Gaze in "Orange is the New Black"
Abstract
This Independent Study aims to define and critically interrogate the phenomenon of the white female gaze within the critically acclaimed Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Through the use of content analysis and Afrocentric methodologies, this study identifies the four key aspects of the white female gaze: voyeuristic looking, racial tropes, limited narratives, and the reinforcement of white womanhood. Afrocentricity, Critical Race Theory, and Feminist Standpoint Theory provide the necessary theoretical framework to analyze the white female gaze. Ultimately, this study's analysis of the white female gaze provides an example of oppositional looking, one that deconstructs images asserted by white media.
Advisor
Wright, Josephine
Second Advisor
Gunn, Raymond
Department
Africana Studies; Sociology and Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Patton, Tiara L., "Oppositional Looking: A Critical Interrogation of The White Female Gaze in "Orange is the New Black"" (2014). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 6151.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/6151
Disciplines
African American Studies | American Popular Culture | Ethnic Studies | Other Film and Media Studies | Sociology | Women's Studies
Keywords
Orange is the New Black, race, gender, White Female Gaze, African-American
Publication Date
2014
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2014 Tiara L. Patton