When thinking about rakes I see in movies, TV shows, and music, I realized that I couldn't really think of many that didn't have a rake involved. Pretty much all of my favorite TV shows have characters that could be described as modern day rakes, and they're not much different from the ones described in the magazine articles we read last week.
"Grey's Anatomy" has McSteamy, who is a rich, handsome, smooth talking plastic surgeon who can get any woman he wants (although right now he's having some trouble getting attention from a certain intern). His great looks, dress and manners make him seem like the perfect gentleman, but he is definitely anything but that.
Another television show I thought of is "That 70's Show." In case you aren't familiar with the show, Kelso is a high-school student played by Ashton Kutcher. The fact that Ashton Kutcher acts as Kelso should say everything. Kelso is an extremely attractive teenager who is constantly chasing a different girl, usually knowing nothing about her besides what she looks like. But according to Kelso, and many other rakes, nothing else really matters. His good looks and charm always gets him the girl, which he usually forgets about in no time. To me, Kelso represents a more modern rake.
This character of the handsome, charming womanizer is one that is not only included in most of our favorite television shows, but practically all of our favorite movies. We can all think of tons of movies that are about a certain modern-day rake. John Tucker Must Die (like mentioned in class) and Cruel Intentions are just a few movies that involve seductive womanizers. I do not think these men have changed much from the way they were depicted in the magazine articles we have read.
Although these depictions of men are not something that initially seem positive, I wonder why we are so drawn to them? Why are they in all of our favorite TV shows and movies? We (the audience) must like something about these rakes because we keep watching these shows and they keep entertaining us with their rake-like qualities. I'm not sure what that means about our society, but it must mean something, right?
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4 comments:
Hey Katie! I completely agree with what you're saying, that it has to mean something that we constantly chase the bad boys. Although, when you think about it, it kind of makes sense. We want what we can't have - it's human nature - so of course we're going to go after the ones we can't catch. My question is, like you, why are we like that? Why is it that that's our nature?
When I first read the blog prompt for this week, no "rakes" immediately jumped into my mind. But then as I started thinking about television and movies--including the ones that you mentioned--I realized that they're everywhere. We're just so accustomed to seeing them on-screen. I think you pose some really good thought questions in your last paragraph. Rakes definitely fascinate us, just like they did in the late 18th century. (Hence all the magazine articles!)
I loved your examples! Also, if you watch Nip/Tuck, Christian Troy is the PERFECT example of a modern day rake... he's such an ass but you're right I'm definitely still so attracted to him and I think that if the character was a "nice guy" I would be less intrigued. It is interesting to consider that most of us ladies are so drawn to these boys/men.. I can't really explain the allure either to be truthful.
Really good examples! I love how you brought up Ashton Kutcher’s character Kelso from That 70’s Show. I hadn’t thought about him being an example of rake but he definitely is a good one. He is always using his good looks and charm to get with girls and constantly cheats on Jackie.
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