ESSAY REVISED

Critical ideological approach + Binary opposition 

Andrea Arnold uses binary oppositions to explore the ideology of feminism in Fish tank, so looking through a feminist perspective we can better understand the use of Binary opposition within the film. One way a feminist ideology helps us understand binary oppositions in fish tank is through the feminist perspective of Connor's predatory behaviour and maturity which conflicts with Mia's presentation as prey and her immaturity. This is seen during the sex scene between Connor and Joanne that Mia witnesses through a crack in the door; using a range of micro features a strong binary opposition of predator and prey as well as maturity and immaturity is built between Connor and Mia. We see this through the micro features of mise en scene and cinematography, as an extreme close up on Mia is used in conjunction with chiaroscuro which works in tandem to paint Mia as immature and vulnerable, as the extreme close up focuses our attention on her timid expression which is made even more child like with the use of chiaroscuro as it highlights her large eyes that reflect the light which has child like connotations, showing her vulnerability and child like innocence which is further shown as her large reflecting eyes connote a deer, a timid creature and also showing Mia like a deer to be pray as she is hunted by Connor, which in feminist terms would be considered the dominant predatory male. The act of hunting can also be considered a hyper masculine activity further showing through the feminist ideological approach that Connor is the dominant predatory male that is hunting the weaker pray (the woman). This binary opposition is then cemented through the portrayal of Connor in this scene, as similarly through mise en scene and cinematography as well as performance as Connor is depicted as predatory and mature. Similarly chiaroscuro is used but as to create the opposite effect of Mia's large innocent eyes juxtaposing this imagery with Connors defined muscles connoting his maturity and more animalistic nature, combined with an effective use of framing where Joanne is reduced to in feminist terms her body alone, as the chiaroscuro highlights her legs and breasts emphasising how Connor uses woman in a predatory way viewing woman in an animalistic or more biological way. Looking at this binary opposition of predator vs prey through a feminist ideological critical approach we can interpret that this conflict is intended to highlight the predatory and exploitative nature of Connor, a middle class working family man who takes advantage of lower class woman as he feels superior in class and sex over the woman (Mia and Joanne) who he grooms.

Connor is able to take advantage of one of the most vulnerable characters in the film, Mia, through exploiting her need for a paternal figure as a way into grooming her to fulfil his own sexual desires. This point is responsible for a large amount of the binary opposition in the film, more specifically the binary opposition of Connor as a paternal or sexual figure to Mia which can be explored through an ideological critical approach of also feminism as Connor exploits Mia for her paternal yearning and immaturity. We see this conflict in the scene when Mia fakes being asleep and is lifted to bed then undressed by Connor. The camera is framed through Mias arm in a POV as we watch Connor perform a very paternal activity that becomes corrupted by sexual implications as a mid shot shows Connor delicately taking Mia's trousers off, his hands seeming to linger around her crotch and through choosing to frame it in this way the spectator is limited in their knowledge of what is exactly happening, as in this moment Connors expression is hidden from us just as his true intentions are some what hidden from Mia. The conflict comes from the two possible interpretations of undressing, firstly it as a paternal act which would assume Mia's desire for a paternal relationship and secondly a more sexual act which would conflicting assume Mia's desire for a sexual relationship – immaturity vs maturity, paternity vs sexual desire. Arnold drops visual hints towards this binary opposition, such as the reflecting ear ring Mia wears that can be equally argued a symbol of Mia's femininity and maturity, jewellery being associated woman, as much it is a symbol of her immaturity as she attempts to appear older and more feminine. Thea aforementioned mid shot of Connors hands undressing Mia also builds the binary opposition of feminine vs masculine, as his very rough masculine hands contrast Mias softer feminine legs