A Queer Analysis Of Modern Family.

How, if at all, does the representation in the clip reinforce systems of heteronormativity? What stereotypes of heterosexuality and homosexuality are present in the clip?

I don't know that this clip reinforces systems of heteronormativity as much as it just brings the subject to the forefront. The best example of this is when Mitchell and Cameron (the gay couple) is at the gas station on their way to the party. A very typically masculine guy bumps into their car, which upsets Mitchell. He begins to call the man out on it, but backs down as the man begins to intimidate him. Afraid to look the man in the eye, Mitchell winds up turning around and calling him a bad name. The manly man hears Mitchell and gets in his face. This is when Fizbo, Cameron's clown alternate ego, decides to shine, stepping in for Mitchell and getting the guy who bumped their car to apologize for the whole ordeal.
It is very interesting to me from the beginning of this scene how Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitchell) decided to play it. From the very beginning of the encounter, he is looking down most of the time, wanting to speak his mind, but clearly afraid of how the seemingly heterosexual man will react. Heteronormativity is reinforced, or represented here, in that Mitchell would not have felt nearly as uncomfortable speaking his mind had he been what the other man would have considered "straight". Granted, the guy who bumps into their car does look like a pretty mean dude regardless, but I believe a lot of what makes Mitchell afraid to be up front in this scene is the fact that he is self-conscious about his homosexuality, and how this will come off to a man who he is already in a confrontation with. In a way, it seems that Cam was only able to stand up to the man behind the make-up of Fizbo. Though he looked ridiculous suited up like a clown, he was demanding and assertive when standing up for Mitchell, which is quite out of the norm for Cameron.


This scene in particular depicts the binary of heterosexuality and homosexuality quite clearly. On one end are Mitchell and Cameron the homosexuals, who are more feminine than most other men on the show, and on the other end is this macho dude at the gas station. A better example from the regular cast of defined heterosexuality might be the character of Jay, the patriarch of the family. Jay is often reserved, and does not speak about his feelings very often. He is in constant fear that his step-son will turn out like his son Mitchell, and does whatever he can to make sure that this won't happen (such as advocating his step-son's fencing and attempts at picking up girls). Though Jay has accepted that his son is gay and that he has a partner for life in Cameron, he does not seem particularly pleased or comfortable with it. When Mitchell and Cameron arrive to the party, Cameron as Fizbo, begins doing a little of his act for Jay. At first, Jay smiles and tries to humor his pseudo son-in-law, but eventually just walks away, saying something to the affect of not being able to do this. Though it is funny within the context, it is clear that Jay is simply uncomfortable because Cameron is not masculine enough by his standards.

How does the clip link sexuality and gender? In your opinion, do these associations reinforce or challenge heteronormativity?

I found the plot between Phil and Claire to be as much about gender as the Fizbo plot. The Dunphy's are trying to throw their son Luke the perfect party, and clearly each have differing opinions on what the perfect party for a ten year old boy should be like. Phil believes that it should be a fun, adventure party, with reptiles and rock-climbing and other physical activities. Claire, on the other hand, remembers having a blast making comb-satchels at a little girl's party when she was a kid, and thinks this would be a great activity for Luke and his friends. On the day of the party, it is clear that all of the kids favor Phil's party, the only two to wind up making comb bags being Mitchell and Claire. There is a clear, gendered dyad here, despite the fact that both Claire and Phil are heterosexual.
It is clear that many of the men in this episode believe that sexuality and gender should exist along clear-cut lines. Jay, the patriarch of the family, clearly believes that those of the male gender should be sexually attracted to women and that those of the female gender should be sexually attracted to men. Throughout this episode, several others are uncomfortable when these lines are crossed, such as the buff guy at the gas station that Mitchell attempts to confront. I'm not sure if Phil is terrified of Fizbo because Fizbo is a clown, or if there is something deeper about the fact that it is Cameron, a gay man, dressed in a clown's suit.
I believe this episode challenges systems of heteronormativity by bringing them to the forefront. It is clear that in the confrontation at the gas station, that the man is not okay with Mitchell to start with because of his sexuality, or because he comes off as "gay", but as a viewer, it would be hard not to side with Mitchell and against the aggressive man in the situation. Mitchell is clearly the underdog, and the one who's in the right in the situation.

How, if at all, does the clip portray sexuality as a permanent, personal, or special quality? After reading this chapter, do you find that portrayal troubling or affirming? Why/why not?

For most of the characters in the show, sexuality is very permanent and personal. Though the plot focuses on the gay couple, the heterosexuals within the episode certainly have conquests of sexuality of their own. Manny is in love with a girl from his class, and this makes Jay proud. Phil and Claire's daughter is jealous of her boyfriend even speaking to another woman, and this is certainly a response based on gender, if not each character's sexuality as well. Cameron and Mitchell's sexuality in particular seems to shine through in each as a permanent, personal, and special quality. The two can't help but be who they are, and this is part of what makes them so endearing. In a way, it is troubling that the two gay character's sexualities seem to way more heavily on their personalities than those of the heterosexual characters, but at the same time this is somewhat realistic, as a homosexual probably does in fact toil with their own sexuality a lot more throughout their life than a heterosexual does in going through the motions of a heteronormative world.


Progress.


JAC..