Man vs Shark: The study of JAWS and masculinity

From the surface, JAWS appears to be a classic man vs beast story - perhaps the definitive tale of it’s type. However, a closer look reveals that Steven Spielberg’s classic shark thriller is far more complex than it’s technical prowess and record breaking box office would lead you to believe.

After watching Jacques Cousteau as a small child, Jess has had a lifelong fascination with the sea and the things that live in it. Her dissertation, as discussed with Ross, considers patriarchal masculinity and the ways in which it might be expressed through violent encounters with sharks. It focuses on Jaws, suggesting that exhaustion, vulnerability and fatherhood are key components of the story.

Lecturer Jess Farr-Cox and Ross from The Daily Jaws sharing a funny moment during a fascinating conversation about the role of masculinty in JAWS

Jess Farr-Cox is a lecturer in the Dept English at the University of Bristol. She has recently completed her MA Literary Studies and Film at Exeter, with a dissertation on sharks and masculinity.

Do you agree with Ross and Jess? Tell us your opinions in the comments!

Jess Farr-Cox was interviewed by Ross Williams for The Daily Jaws

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