Deterioration of Patriarchy as Deterioration of Society

In both The Aimless Bullet and Madame Freedom, the patriarchy is depicted as the central force holding society in place. Both films respectively show the deterioration of society (including societal order, individual health and moral goodness) in consequence to the failure to abide by the patriarchal hierarchy.

In The Aimless Bullet, the demolition of the patriarchy (and by extension, male power) is symbolized by the physical ailments of the men in the film - their lack of power in the physical realm mirror their lack of power in the social realm. When the men are stripped of their power - when they become “useless, like an empty bullet shell” - the entire society seemingly descends into helplessness and despair. This mood of helpless futility is emphasized in the film through the men’s pitiful attempts at regaining power in society (for example, Yong-ho’s attempt at bank robbery), Chul-ho’s mother’s repetitive cries of “Let’s get out of here!” and Chul-ho’s ironic request to return to “Liberty Village” at the end of the film. Yu Hyun-mok shows the audience that when men fail to fulfill their duties as patriarchal heads (securing respectable women to be their wives and providing for their families), society will descend into a dismal state.


In Madame Freedom, the women are shown to be attracted to the modern, “Western” lifestyle, which in turn results in their disregard for their familial duties as wives and mothers, breaching their functions under the patriarchal structure. Instead of focusing their energies into maintaining the well-being of their families, they are drawn to frivolities such as jewelry, cosmetics and dance. Although both men and women commit adultery in the film, the women are shamed to a much greater extent. The film acts as social criticism of women in postwar South Korea who are tempted by the “Western” lifestyle, which seems to grant them more sexual and social freedom. It sends a cautionary message: if the patriarchy falls (i.e. if women gain more power), then social chaos will ensue. Women will ignore their moral duty to place the family ahead of their personal interests, and the entire society will suffer as a result.