Joaquim da Silva Fontes, Significação e Estabilidade do Género no ...

Figure 113. Scarlet Street
Neff’s entrapment and destruction by the fatal and sexual magnetism of Phyllis
Dietrichson in Double Indemnity started from the minute he sees her wrapped in a towel,
fresh from sunbathing, and is manifest even in the presence of her own husband (as seen in
fig. 114 below). Interestingly, the woman’s pose is similar to the ones used by the two
female protagonists of figures 112 and 113. Here Phyllis provocatively stretches her leg
forward too, however inaccessibly to Neff, as their complicit look, charged with sexual
intent, seems to be barred by the presence of the husband who is looking down while
reading the clauses of the insurance policy which (ironically) will make him the primary
target.
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