SSC Film Studies

During the 1970’s Female Liberation was believed to be at a high. However though the contraceptive pill was a women’s chance to take control and have a choice whether or not to have a child, Men used this to an advantage. This meant men could have sex without the worry of having a baby which led to many affairs.

Get Carter presents Female Liberation as a myth. When Jack enters Edna’s B&B, traditional gender roles are put in place. Though Edna owns the B&B, straight away when Carter enters she does what he says. He immediately takes place as the owner of the house, telling Edna what to do and she follows.  When she says, “Ill phone the police” Carter responds with “ no you wont”. This demanding language connotes that though Edna doesn’t want to comply she has too, in fear that he will resort to violent behaviour towards her to do what he says.

Female liberation is also questioned when Carter makes the remark, “I know your wearing purple underwear”. This shocks Edna, as she now knows that she has to comply with sex. This is because Edna is a liberated woman, connoting that she is confident, has her own opinions and she’s free from men. She doesn’t need a man to make her decisions for her. This means that now that Carter knows her underwear colour, he can tell others. Jack telling others means that Edna will no longer be liberated as she has been defined as a whore, because she has had sex outside of wedlock. Meaning that in order for him to not tell anyone is to have sex with him, she is forced as she has no other choice but to comply to him or be judged by her neighbour who is a traditionalist.