The Matter of Images

by Richard Dyer

Now published in a revised second edition, The Matter of Images searches through the resonances of the term ‘representation’, analysing images in terms of why they matter, what they are made of, and the material realities they refer to. Richard Dyer’s analyses consider representations of ‘out’ groups and traditionally dominant groups alike, and encompass the eclectic texts of contemporary culture, from queers to straights, political correctness, representations of Empire and films including Gilda , Papillon and The Night of the Living Dead . Essays new to the second edition discuss Lillian Gish as the ultimate white movie star, the representation of whiteness in the South in Birth of a Nation , and society’s fascination with serial killers. The Matter of Images is distinctive in its commitment to writing politically about contemporary culture, while insisting on the importance of understanding the formal qualities and complexity of the images it investigates.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Queer, Philosophy, Sociology, LGBT, Essays

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 1993

Reviews

[Diána M G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man established the way we perceive and appreciate cinéma and I understand why.

[Carter Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow genius!!

Super interesting piece of critical theory on the representations of race, gender, and sexuality in film and media! People really are so smart and it amazes me all the time!

My favorite essay was probably “In a word” because it talked about the politics of language change, political correctness, and liberalism.

Second favorite would have to be “Male sexuality in the media”. I love semiotics!

Probably will read this again!

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fascinating but a little hard to read. All the essays were academic ones, and it shows in the writing. I know Richard Dyer has other books and work that is more readable, so I’m chalking the convoluted nature of some of these essays up to academia’s bad writing style.

[Dom M-G · Rating 4 out of 5]

More please!?

[Daniel Muleady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought that I would enjoy a collection of essays on a topic that I felt no connection to (straight, white-enough, male). I was terribly wrong...

[Camilla Garofalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

vedo tutto in maniera diversa da quando l’ho finito
più banalmente: vedo

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my class on women and minorities in movies. I took this class in England and I learned a lot from this author. Definetely a good read.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one for my thesis, the sections were divided very well.