In a Man's World

            Buszek, in her book Pin-Up Grrrls: Feminism, Sexuality, Popular Culture, explains the many ways the controversial pin up photos, are not necessarily sexist but rather can act as a feminist icon. She goes on to tell how not all pin ups are feminist, but many have an underlying message of women’s strength, power, and equality. Glamorization of women started the pin up movement and brought women into the eyes of society. With these photos, women expressed a new found sexual freedom, which brought some dangers of sexual harassment. Defining the difference between a sexual subject and an object was a major goal of Buszek. The subjects of these photos had a say in how they would be shot in these images compared to objects who do as they’re told. These women were in control and eventually were seen as vital to the war efforts. Through time, pin up photos became much more than a way to exploit women. They became a way to express sexual empowerment not seen by women before, creating a stronger sense of equality to their male counterparts. 

 

            This pin up photo is a woman sitting on a car, wrench in hand, as if working on the engine. Buszek may suggest that by doing this, it’s putting her in the role which is traditionally held by men, similar to the Santa pin up we discussed in lecture. It’s empowering her, showing she doesn’t need a man to do car work for her. There is a lot of red in the photo (the car, her lips, the tips of her shoes) which shows a passion and strength. Her outfit seems fairly traditional, but is pulled up to revealing stockings, sexualizing the photo. Another aspect which seems to overly sexualize this woman, is the placement of the wrench. Whether or not it is deliberate, it’s placed in her hand toward her mouth. This can create an image of a sexual act to the viewer. The woman being turned away from the camera and making herself smaller makes her appear weaker than she could. Considering all this, and the look of concern on her face, she appears to be an object, rather than a subject. Buszek would likely suggest this image is one of the images which doesn’t show a feminist message.