The term gaslighting has gained some traction in the recent years because of the nature of the public discourse orbiting the major political parties.  It is psychological term to describe a type of manipulation that creates doubt and confusion in the receiver.  This doubt can sometimes lead to lowered self-esteem and malleability.


A recent exchange in one of my film classes required me to speak about words, responsibilities and safety. I waited a day to fully address it so I could be more level headed in my reply. 


As I was thinking, it dawned on me that this was a case of gaslighting. Then I realized I could address the recent classroom event embedded in a cinematic context.  You may not have known, but the term gaslight comes from a powerful play of the late 1930s.  Two films were adapted from the play in the 1940s.  (The second film won Ingrid Bergman her first Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress; watch this one soon!!) These film noir feature a manipulative fella trying to confuse a wealthy woman into thinking she is losing her mind.  His tenacity is diabolical. These productions are so good that they lent their names to the phenomena. 

Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman in Gaslight, Cukor, 1944

For class, I introduced the film scene in my standard fashion and played a youtube clip.  Then I expanded and explained the cinematic moment. I quickly followed by tying it back to what was recently said in class.  The looks on some faces (especially the one who was my muse for that moment) indicated they were too surprised to fall into a typical thousand yard stare, they had to listen and consider my point! I felt satisfied that I avoided the straight-forward lecture and instead couched the topic into a standard class operation.  It was a bit of an ethical wolf in sheep’s clothing.  


I will repeat, watch this film soon!