relationship with Smitty engage with themes of sexual slavery and power dynamics within the prison ’ s society . Rocky says , early on in the film , that new inmates need “ old men ” in order to keep themselves from getting attacked or sexually assaulted by some of the older inmates . Queenie fills this role for Mona , and Rocky fills this role for Smitty . The partnerships that are developed , however , are neither platonic nor positive . Mona and Smitty are both surprised when Queenie and Rocky insist on sexual favors in exchange for their protection , and neither party comes out unscathed when their “ old men ” decide that it ’ s time for them to “ pay their dues ”. There are several moments of nonconsensual sex throughout the film , primarily between Rocky and Smitty . These scenes are never explicitly shown ( they are often paired with shots of water coming out of shower heads ), but viewers know exactly what ’ s happening , even if they can ’ t see it .
Here , then , the film allows for the opportunity to discuss the negative stereotypes that existed around nonstraight individuals during the West ’ s 60s and 70s . Queerness has frequently been associated with pedophilia or rape , as consensual non-straight sex between two parties is difficult – evening frightening – for non-queer society to consider . By presenting a non-straight relationship , such as the one between Smitty and Rocky , as one steeped in violence , it becomes easier for some viewers to perceive non-straight relationships as inherently immoral . By associating the relationship between Rocky and Smitty with violence , as well , heteronormativity is also preserved . One member of the relationship – Rocky – is presented as particularly “ masculine ” and “ dominate ”, whereas Smitty is presented as “ submission ”, or “ feminine ”. Here , the illusion of straightness is preserved between the duo .
It is worth stating , however , that the relationship between Smitty and Rocky – as well as that between Mona and Queenie – is non-consensual . Fortune and Men ’ s Eyes depicts male on male rape in the prison system without apology . Neither of these relationships are positive representations of what queer relationships can look like .
T h e o n e v a g u e l y p o s i t i v e relationship in the movie is that which exists between Queenie and the society within which she exists . Queenie ’ s c h a r a c t e r i s b e s t d e s c r i b e d a s aggressive . She is unapologetic in her non-straight nature ; she is relentless in pursuing what she wants , be it hair dye or a sexual relationship . She demands respect and receives it as such . This confidence , depicted through a character whose morality is a bit mixed , still promotes the idea that non-straight individuals are allowed to be confident in their queerness . Queenie is , in fact ,
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