freudian theory
natural order
Freud believed in a 'natural order' when it came to men and women. In his opinion, men were the powerful ones - the leaders. They were to be considered dominant, strong, and succesful. They are intelligent and possess sexual power due to their confidence. It was thought that men were happy because of their gender; they had a penis, and therefore had the power. Women, however, were unhappy. They did not have penises, causing them to be seen as weak and submissive. They lacked intelligence and were sexually passive. Freud proposed that the penis was a physical representation of a mans power, and it held the identity of a male.
new order/castration theory
castration theory
Freud's natural order theory means that a males power can be taken through the removal of his phallus. In film this is known as the 'castration theory.' It is not the removal of his penis, but is instead is done through symbolism and phallic objects. For example, if a male was to be stabbed it would be representative of the castration of his penis, as he has been penetrated by an enemy, resulting in his loss of power and therefore the removal of his phallus. Nicki Minaj demonstrates the castration theory in her video for 'Anaconda.'
NEW ORDER
Freud's 'new order theory' is the concept that through the castration of the male phallus, a woman can gain his power. A male's penis is representative of his power and status. If you were to remove his penis, it would result in his loss of power. When done by a woman, it shows that she is stronger and therefore more powerful, and this would result in a new order. In the new order, the woman is the overdominant gender. However, her power is shown negatively. She is percieved as sexually promiscuous, manipulative and would use sex to gain power over men. In the new order mean are weak and unreliable. They have no power, and are indecicive about what they want. By castrating a man, the female takes his metephorical penis, and with it his power and identity, which upsets the natural order. It is thought that after the male has been castrated and loses his identity, he is mistrusted by society and considered to now be feminine.