Date: May 2009 Creator: Sutton, Travis Description: This thesis
examines the representation of Mormon men in American film and
television, with particular regard for sexual identity and the
cultural association of Mormonism with sexuality. The history of
Mormonism's unique marital practices and doctrinal approaches to
gender and sexuality have developed three common stereotypes for
Mormon male characters: the purposeful heterosexual, the
monstrous polygamist, and the self-destructive homosexual.
Depending upon the sexual stereotype in the narrative, the
Mormon Church can function as a proponent for nineteenth-century
views of sexuality, a symbol for society's repressed sexuality,
or a metaphor for the oppressive effects of performing gender
and sexuality according to ideological constraints. These ideas
are presented in Mormon films such as Saturday's Warrior (1989)
as well as mainstream films such as A Mormon Maid (1917) and
Advise and Consent (1962). Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries