Through the gothic image she creates for herself, it can be viewed as a removal of the traits that make her conform with the stereotypical female, appearing feminine with a delicate persona, as opposed to harsh black colours.
In this scene she is attacked by a group of men, which can be seen from the Female Gaze, as she manages to fight off the men under the persona that conveys her as more masculine. Due to the nature of the attack, it may also reinforce oppression of men against women, seen as a running theme throughout the film.
In these scenes, we see how her guardian abuses his power over her and keeps her in a position in which she can not retaliate, so he believes he can get away with these evils against her, without having to face any consequences. The first screen capture demonstrates how her psychological state of mind is so shot from the ordeal of having to carryout such as action, she physically has to wash her mouth out with soap. From this scene you would also be able to draw a strong emotional response, feeling uncomfortable and having the camera fixed on the rape, unable to escape from the situation like her.
In this scene she achieves retribution, through inserting a phallic object inside her guardian, making her experience the pain she felt. Here the audience receives satisfaction, feeling that our desires for revenge have been fulfilled. At the same time, we receive a feeling of uncomfortableness and negative emotions, being able to imagine the situation he is in and how horrible that would feel.
It is apparent in these scenes that although her photographic memory has scarred her and it is hard for her to escape her memories, she feels that this is a man she can trust and is the first man to treat her with respect and kindness.
This shows the relationship between the journalist and the baby sitter, how he may feel he needs to find Harriet as a duty, feeling that she looked after him as a child, appearing to him as a motherly figure.
This scene can be used to reinforce the extent of the evil captured within the collection of photographs showing the killers victims. From a feminist reading, this can communicate the oppression of women.
This is the final scene, where she feels she can escape her past and recreate who she is; by adopting a new persona and stealing enough money to allow her to do this. This can be seen as a return to feminine characteristics now that the oppression against her, demonstrated through the guardian and misogynistic killer, have be conquered.
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