Exploring Stalking Narratives in Media

Sep 16, 2024

Lecture on Stalking for Love in Media

Introduction

  • Discussion centers on the 1993 comedy Groundhog Day and the portrayal of stalking-like behavior in media.
  • Two different plot perceptions:
    • Original perception: A man becomes a better person through repeated experiences.
    • Current perception: A man learns everything about a coworker to make her fall in love with him.

Stalking for Love Trope

  • Definition: A romance trope where persistent pursuit is framed as romantic rather than problematic.
  • Common in romantic comedies but appears across various genres, including superhero stories.

Characteristics of the Trope

  • Protagonist: Usually a "nice" guy not fitting the Hollywood ideal.
  • Plot progression:
    • Protagonist becomes infatuated with a woman who does not reciprocate his feelings.
    • He engages in stalker-like behaviors (e.g., spying, pestering) to win her over.

Examples in Media

  • Groundhog Day
  • Say Anything: Uses grand gestures despite explicit rejections.
  • Love Actually: Depicts inappropriate behavior rewarded romantically.
  • The Notebook: Threat of self-harm as coercion.
  • Dead Poets Society: Framed as overcoming self-doubt.

Criticism of Stalking for Love

  • Problematic Aspects:
    • Ignores women's autonomy and boundaries.
    • Frames stalking as an expression of love.
  • Societal Impacts:
    • Reinforces myths that stalking is romantic.
    • Negative effects on societal attitudes towards romance.

Gender Dynamics

  • Male vs Female Stalkers:
    • Men's stalking is romanticized, while women's is seen as manic or unbalanced.
    • Reflects broader societal double standards.

Real-World Implications

  • Stalking is a crime with serious emotional impacts.
  • Harms of Stalking for Love Narrative:
    • Potential to cause fear and anxiety.
    • Reinforces harmful stereotypes about romance and gender roles.

Conclusion and Call to Action

  • Media can tell love stories based on mutual respect without resorting to stalking.
  • Encourages viewers to support future content exploring related themes.

Further Topics

  • Upcoming discussions on masculinity, love, and media, including "abduction for love" trope.

This summary highlights the ways in which media often misrepresents stalking as romantic, the cultural impact of such narratives, and the importance of mutual respect in love stories.