Sexist and racist scenes in Goldfinger

Bond also naturally talks down to women in a very patronising manner, it seems rather insulting to women watching it nowadays when there is a lot more freedom and independence for women. An example of Bonds approach to women is that when Bond is in the Miami hotel and he takes the maids keys from her belt and opens Goldfingers door while she is protesting, he then calls her “very sweet.” and proceeds into Goldfingers room. Another patronising scene and probably the worst by far is that of Dink, in this scene Bond playfully slaps Dinks bum and sends her on her way while Bond and Felix have a “Man talk”. This is typical of the 60’s when men had a much higher role in society and women where seen as no more than housewives. This subservient role is portrayed through Moneypenny who is very traditional and just a flirting secretary to Bond, she is somewhat maternal but still like all the other women subservient to his charm. Moneypenny provides a sense of morality into the plot and unlike the other women she isn’t just out to have sex with Bond, it almost seems like she wants to marry him instead.

Racism, also rife during the 60’s, is conveyed in this film through the Korean guards and workers Goldfinger employs. Also during the 60’s the Korean War was going on emphasising Bonds heroicism even more due to his enemies. As well as this Goldfingers personal henchman Oddjob, also portrayed as Korean, is Bonds main rival during the film. This suspicious character, actually a Japanese/American, conveyed the public fears of the time, which was the enemy of society at the time, communist North Korea.