Vertigo analysis

Scottys masculinity is constructed by presenting him as immature, he fails to recognise the bra in Midges apartment, to which she treats him like a child when he asks. Midge is quite motherly to Scotty, further emasculating him by giving him the appearance of not being independent. 

Scotty also needs a cane to walk, again showing him as needing assistance, removing the masculine feature of independence from him. He also wears a corset, an item of clothing stereotypically associated with women, which also further depletes from his independence. 

When Scotty attempts to be active, he is shot from a low angle, as a protagonist or powerful character usually is, however when he fails, the camera becomes level and we no longer view him in that way. 

We also find out that Midge rejected Scotty romantically, which again removes his masculinity as he is not the dominant force in the relationship. It is also worth noting that the engagement lasted three weeks, implying that Scotty can not hold a serious romantic relationship. Scotty's personality also emasculates him. He is needy, giving him an appearance of a damsel in distress, he also complains a lot, the opposite to the stoical man that was the norm at that time. Midge as a character also further emasculates Scotty, she patronises him, questions him about his plans and comes across as very intelligent and motherly, because of this, Scotty is not given a chance to be independent around midge and there fore is emasculated further by her character.