Fraulein Von Bergen example essay topic

Amy T. 11/12/04 CIN 304 MAEDCHEN IN UNIFORM Maedchen in Uniform (Sagan, 1932, 80') is a film that was specifically design to represent a group of women living in a patriarchal society and the conflicts they encounter by simply being their naturally, nurturing selves. One major conflict involves the deep relationship that develops between a female teacher and her female student in an all girl boarding school that is operated like a strict military camp. It is heavily suggested that this relationship is a romantic one, but there are no solid evidence that it is. I believe that Sagan had design the film this way so that the idea of lesbianism would not be so aggressive towards the audience that they will not be willing to sit through the entire film. Should the teacher have been a man and the student remains a female, I believe that this film would not have had the same effect it did on the viewers as it did the way it was presented. The gender between the two people should not have made a difference because, in general, it is wrong to have a romantic relationship between a teacher and a student who is still under the teacher's guidance.

Given this conflict alone, I believe that the Sagan wanted to take it to the next level and show that with the suggestion of lesbianism, these women are like any other women who are also caring and nurturing. I believe she was trying to introduce a new idea of lesbianism where the women are not heavily masculine. First, there is the setting of a strict military like boarding school where the students, all females, are craving the love and affection that they are missing from their family. One particular student, Manuela von Meinhardis, had just recently joined the school after the recent death of her mother. She is particularly vulnerable to the love and care that is provided by the only caring teacher in the school, Fraulein von Bernburg. Fraulein von Bernburg is a very beautiful young teacher who is constantly at odds with her elders because she does see the need to punish her group of girls.

She believes that the students need to be shown compassion and care; not just as a teacher but as a friend. It is between these two women that a heavily suggested romantic relationship developed. The reason why I say "heavily suggested" is because I still believe that Fraulein von Bergen was only trying to be sympathetic with the new girl, Manuela, because her mother had just died. The extra attention that was given to this student leads the student to develop a crush on the teacher. During a scene in the film where Fraulein von Bergen gives Manuela one of her own personal chemise, because the student did not have a decent one, Manuela confesses that she likes Fraulein von Bergen so much that she cries because she can not spend the time she would like to spend with the teacher. This is where Fraulein von Bergen suggested that these feelings are not appropriate.

That Manuela should not like her so strongly. But, because she says it in such a caring tone, Manuela is convinced that Fraulein von Bergen reciprocate these feelings. Throughout the film, Sagan drops more subtle hints that suggest lesbianism as being very feminine. For example, the students perform in a play where Manuela is dressed up as a man playing the lead as Don Carlos. During the scene where the students are changing into costume, one student comments Manuela legs as being lovely while caressing it. During the play, Don Carlos, played by Manuela, confesses his love for the Queen.

This scene sort of repeats itself after the play, when the students are celebrating and are given punch secretly spiked with alcohol. While still dressed as Don Carlos, Manuela confesses her love for Fraulein von Bergen in a drunk and stupor state. This confession leads to a separation of Manuela and Fraulein von Bergen by the elders. This separation causes Manuela to go walk off alone into despair and attempts suicide.

At first I thought that the other students would shun her because of her love for Fraulein von Bergen. Instead, the girls desperately search for her and prevent her from jumping off the stairwell. I believe that this scene shows how compassionate women are in general with each other, whether lesbian or not. In the end, Fraulein von Bergen proves her point to the headmistress of the school that changes must be made as far as how the students are treated by the elders. Also, I believe that in the end, Sagan was trying to say that changes must be made to how lesbians are perceived by the public. They are simply women who are just as caring, compassionate, and beautiful as any other women.

This film was not just about a deep relationship between a teacher and a student. It was a film that sends out a message that suggests lesbianism as being as feminine and as caring as originally perceived, which was very masculine. Had this film been designed as a male teacher in a romantic relationship with a female student, the message that was presented would not have been made.