In the New York Times’ review of the famous Steakhouse, Bruni explains how this extraordinary food served at Robert’s was served in a strip club. Keeping the class discussions in mind, one can clearly see how much gender, food, and discrimination are so closely linked together. Here, for instance, men look at a huge slab of meat differently then any woman would. Because steak is seen, in our society, as tough and manly men want the best cut, the most expensive and the best tasting. Women on the other hand are seen as delicate creatures who might or might not eat steaks or even meat for that matter. If they do, aren’t they more concerned with calorie intake then if it taste good? And if so, why are they this concerned about counting calories? This is one example of the male gaze. When thinking about what exactly the male gaze is this article is a great example. What is interesting is how both men and women do it in the exact same ways. in keeping with this theme, it is ironic that strippers are the ones working at the strip house. Men see what is perfect as the one way, and the women realize this perfect woman and want to be her. Yet is it the men who have come to define what this perfect woman is or is it the women themselves? Looking at this issue from a linguistic standpoint, the fact that this is even called the MALE gaze gives men the power to determine what exactly a man is.
Bruni states, "The prices of some dishes, pumped up to reflect the entertainment on hand, might also be called topless." The fact that men think that the more expensive the stake the better is a clear reflection of how a great cut of meat feeds into their own identity of being a better man. Yet, would any of these men be proud or high class if they were to go home with one of the strippers? Probably not. The women on stage, however, are probably considered the equivalency of a hot dog at best. It is sad that the animal has now become a higher standard in the man's eyes than the person. On the lines of the class discussions, who then be considered the animal? Would it be the woman on stage that is less of a priority for the man's reputation, or would it then be the expensive stake feeding into the man's persona of who he should be to be a true man?
Another theme running through this article is the sense of dehumanization of not just the women, but of the steaks as well. Just as the men see these women as just strippers, they see the steaks as just food and not a once living and breathing animal. There are many reasons for this however they all come down to one basic thing. People in today’s world are used to being strong, hiding their feelings, and not taking responsibility for their actions-these are all feminine attributes. When someone can look at something as it truly is, and not what is on their plate or on the stage, it gives them a sense of guilt. When reducing something that is as valuable as a woman or an animal to something that is merely an object, it takes away the guilt one might feel and legitimizes it so they can follow through with their actions. It makes it easier. With this ease it no longer is the subject's fault or problem, but naturally the problem gets placed on whatever the object is. In this way, dehumanization directly results in a naturally formed hierarchy system in the man's world.
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By: Alek Trail
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