Are polarizing filters literally tiny slats or just an analogy?

[QuarkCharmer]

Homework Statement

Not really a problem, but a question that my professor could not answer (Well the TA).

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

In an image such as this, illustrating polarized light:

I have 2 questions.
1.) Are the filters illustrated with slats as an analogy, or are the filters quite literally tiny slats in a particular angle that enable only a certain portion of the wave through?

2.) If a linear polarized wave at let's say 90 degrees passes through a polar filter which allows only 180 degree waves to pass, why is it blocked? It seems to me like a little bit of light would sputter out proportional to the frequency.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

Disregard this, I found what I was looking for. Thanks