Feminism, Patriarchy Feminism, Patriarchy and Filmand Film

By Elizabeth WoolpertBy Elizabeth Woolpert

HCOM 348HCOM 348

January 18, 2006January 18, 2006

Table Of ContentsTable Of Contents TheoryTheory IntroductionIntroduction The Color PurpleThe Color Purple Malcolm XMalcolm X Heaven and EarthHeaven and Earth Huck FinnHuck Finn A Family ThingA Family Thing Lone StarLone Star Smoke SignalsSmoke Signals BibliographyBibliography

Feminist Theory and CriticismFeminist Theory and Criticism

““Anglo-American feminist theory and Anglo-American feminist theory and criticism today are indebted to earlier literary criticism today are indebted to earlier literary scholarship on women…this feminism scholarship on women…this feminism emerged during the 1960s as a result of emerged during the 1960s as a result of social change.” These groups analyzed social change.” These groups analyzed patriarchy, the system that oppressed patriarchy, the system that oppressed women…” “Woman ‘is defined and women…” “Woman ‘is defined and differentiated with reference to man and not differentiated with reference to man and not he with reference to her…He is the Subject, he with reference to her…He is the Subject, he is the Absolute—She is the Other’”he is the Absolute—She is the Other’”

http://www.press.jhu.edu/books/hopkins_guidhttp://www.press.jhu.edu/books/hopkins_guide_to_literary_theory/feminist_theorye_to_literary_theory/feminist_theory

IntroductionIntroduction Fem*i*nist: a supporter of women’s claims to be Fem*i*nist: a supporter of women’s claims to be

given rights, opportunities and treatment equal to given rights, opportunities and treatment equal to those of men.those of men.(Oxford American Dictionary)(Oxford American Dictionary)

Pa*tri*arch: the male head of family or tribe.Pa*tri*arch: the male head of family or tribe.(Oxford American Dictionary)(Oxford American Dictionary)

The films examined in this project all support the The films examined in this project all support the patriarchal system and stereotype women as patriarchal system and stereotype women as subservient to men. In some of the films the women subservient to men. In some of the films the women show they are done with unequal opportunities and show they are done with unequal opportunities and begin to stand up for them selves.begin to stand up for them selves.

Across cultures and races women are shown to be Across cultures and races women are shown to be weaker, sometimes abused and at the mercy of the weaker, sometimes abused and at the mercy of the men in their lives.men in their lives.

Introduction ContinuedIntroduction Continued

Alice Walker’s three types of women: the Alice Walker’s three types of women: the subservient, the emergent and the assertive subservient, the emergent and the assertive can all be found in these films.can all be found in these films.

Each of the films has a strong tie between Each of the films has a strong tie between reconciliation and individual growth for the reconciliation and individual growth for the characters. This is important to support the characters. This is important to support the growth of women as equals, not “Others”growth of women as equals, not “Others”

In this project we will look at how women In this project we will look at how women are portrayed in film and how this may have are portrayed in film and how this may have the unintended result to perpetuate the the unintended result to perpetuate the patriarchal system of oppression.patriarchal system of oppression.

The Color PurpleThe Color Purple

• Alice Walker, the author of,Alice Walker, the author of, The Color Purple The Color Purple states in a states in a related text that there are three types of women.related text that there are three types of women.

• There are several women There are several women characters in the film and while characters in the film and while each one can be put in to one each one can be put in to one of the Walker’s three categories, of the Walker’s three categories, they often move through the they often move through the categories, rather than stay categories, rather than stay entrenched.entrenched.• Moving through the categories,Moving through the categories, illustrates the growth of the womenillustrates the growth of the women as they reconcile with themselves as they reconcile with themselves and those around them. and those around them.

The Color Purple ContinuedThe Color Purple Continued• The three types of women, according to Walker are:The three types of women, according to Walker are:

The subservient woman (those with out a higher education, The subservient woman (those with out a higher education, married young with children and often in an abusive married young with children and often in an abusive relationship)relationship)

• The emergent woman The emergent woman (those who are on the verge (those who are on the verge of self realization, strong-minded of self realization, strong-minded and know where they wouldand know where they would like to go)like to go)• The assertive woman (those The assertive woman (those with clear goals, are well-educated, with clear goals, are well-educated, and are determined to follow their and are determined to follow their ideas)ideas)• (Source from class syllabus. HCOM 348. Winter 2006.)(Source from class syllabus. HCOM 348. Winter 2006.)

The Color Purple ContinuedThe Color Purple Continued

• The main character is the film is The main character is the film is Celie. She is the product of a Celie. She is the product of a patriarchal system, in that her patriarchal system, in that her father chooses who she will father chooses who she will marry and when. She is also marry and when. She is also clearly entrenched in the clearly entrenched in the subservient category, as she is subservient category, as she is abused by her step-father, abused by her step-father, uneducated and married off at uneducated and married off at the age of 14.the age of 14.

• As Celie moves through her life As Celie moves through her life she comes to reconcile her past she comes to reconcile her past and understand that she can be and understand that she can be in control of her own destiny.in control of her own destiny.

• This film was set during the This film was set during the early 1900s during a time when early 1900s during a time when women were most certainly women were most certainly oppressed, but were beginning oppressed, but were beginning to formulate changes.to formulate changes.

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Malcolm XMalcolm X

• Malcolm X made huge Malcolm X made huge gains for the African gains for the African American’s circumstances American’s circumstances in the United States in the United States during the 1950s and during the 1950s and 1960s. Yet, he too was 1960s. Yet, he too was under the control of a under the control of a patriarchal system that patriarchal system that eventually destroyed him.eventually destroyed him.

• While the main While the main character of this film character of this film is a male we can still is a male we can still draw upon the evident draw upon the evident patriarchal system patriarchal system and how it relates to and how it relates to marginalized cultures.marginalized cultures.

Malcolm X ContinuedMalcolm X Continued

• Betty was Malcolm X’s wife and whileBetty was Malcolm X’s wife and while he was fighting against oppression of he was fighting against oppression of African Americans, he still wanted African Americans, he still wanted Betty to be subservient to him.Betty to be subservient to him.• There is a great sadness in the story There is a great sadness in the story of Malcolm X, because by the end of Malcolm X, because by the end of the film he has reconciled himself of the film he has reconciled himself and those who may want to hurt him, and those who may want to hurt him, but he still gets assassinated.but he still gets assassinated.• The film does not tell us whether Betty enjoys The film does not tell us whether Betty enjoys

reconciliation so we are left watching her mourn the loss reconciliation so we are left watching her mourn the loss of her husband .of her husband .

Heaven and EarthHeaven and Earth• This film captures many of the This film captures many of the

stereotypical patriarchal stereotypical patriarchal systems.systems.

• Le Ly is in the control of her Le Ly is in the control of her father in their small fishing father in their small fishing village, when the Viet Nam War village, when the Viet Nam War starts. All the family members starts. All the family members are subservient to the father of are subservient to the father of the house.the house.

• Le Ly is not cut out to be a Le Ly is not cut out to be a subservient woman, she is subservient woman, she is more like an emergent woman more like an emergent woman moving as quickly as a war will moving as quickly as a war will let her to become an assertive let her to become an assertive woman.woman.

• The growth of Le Ly in the film The growth of Le Ly in the film is remarkable. She makes is remarkable. She makes many decisions that bring many decisions that bring shame upon her village, yet she shame upon her village, yet she never gives up on herself or the never gives up on herself or the “good girl” that she is.“good girl” that she is.

Heaven And Earth Heaven And Earth ContinuedContinued• While in Viet Nam Le Ly continues on her path of the While in Viet Nam Le Ly continues on her path of the

emergent woman. She rents her own apartment emergent woman. She rents her own apartment with her young son. She has a, somewhat, with her young son. She has a, somewhat, respectable job. She is an independent woman.respectable job. She is an independent woman.

• When Le Ly meets Steve it is not clear if it is her love When Le Ly meets Steve it is not clear if it is her love for him, her desire to be taken care of, or her ticket for him, her desire to be taken care of, or her ticket to the United States, that makes her choose to marry to the United States, that makes her choose to marry him and leave Viet Nam. Whatever the reason, this him and leave Viet Nam. Whatever the reason, this becomes Le Ly’s opportunity to step in to the role of becomes Le Ly’s opportunity to step in to the role of the assertive woman.the assertive woman.

• We learn that Steve really wanted a nice “oriental” We learn that Steve really wanted a nice “oriental” girl and is truly uncomfortable with the Americanized girl and is truly uncomfortable with the Americanized one that emerges. He is comfortable with the one that emerges. He is comfortable with the patriarchal system and wants it to continue.patriarchal system and wants it to continue.

Huck FinnHuck Finn

• One might ask how can a movie One might ask how can a movie like Huck Finn be categorized like Huck Finn be categorized and analyzed regarding feminism and and analyzed regarding feminism and

patriarchal roles when all the main patriarchal roles when all the main characters are men?characters are men?

• My answer would be: it is not only what we My answer would be: it is not only what we see in a film, but what we do not see.see in a film, but what we do not see.

• Huck Finn is a portrayal of two men, one Huck Finn is a portrayal of two men, one only a child, who disappear on an only a child, who disappear on an adventure.adventure.

Huck Finn ContinuedHuck Finn Continued

• The women are portrayed as “the The women are portrayed as “the other” to the men. They are the other” to the men. They are the caretakers of the boy, the owner of the caretakers of the boy, the owner of the man.man.

• This film could not have worked had the This film could not have worked had the two main characters been female. two main characters been female. Females would not have been allowed Females would not have been allowed to journey down the great Mississippi to journey down the great Mississippi without a man.without a man.

A Family ThingA Family Thing

This particular film is very This particular film is very stereotypical when it comes stereotypical when it comes to feminism and even racism.to feminism and even racism.

Earls family is the standard Earls family is the standard patriarchal, uneducated patriarchal, uneducated family. Earl leaves his wife to family. Earl leaves his wife to go on a trip without telling her go on a trip without telling her the reason why. Had Earl’s the reason why. Had Earl’s wife tried to do this I think the wife tried to do this I think the reaction would have been reaction would have been different. Again, this is a clear different. Again, this is a clear example of how women are example of how women are defined in the context of the defined in the context of the men in their lives, not the men in their lives, not the other way around.other way around.

Ray’s son, in an attempt to get Ray’s son, in an attempt to get Earl out of his home, demands Earl out of his home, demands that his father tell Earl to leave. that his father tell Earl to leave. Ray’s son is making demands Ray’s son is making demands only a man in a patriarchal only a man in a patriarchal situation could do. While Ray situation could do. While Ray does not abide by the demands,does not abide by the demands,

he, rather, he, rather, demonstrates demonstrates his own his own patriarchal systempatriarchal system by telling his sonby telling his son “ “This is my This is my house.” house.”

A Family Thing ContinuedA Family Thing Continued

Often African-AmericanOften African-American women are portrayed women are portrayed as strong women, as as strong women, as opposed to Anglo women.opposed to Anglo women. Auntie is given this role inAuntie is given this role in the film. She is able to make demands upon the the film. She is able to make demands upon the

men in her family, but she is still put in the men in her family, but she is still put in the position of being very reliant upon them.position of being very reliant upon them.

Auntie’s blindness takes away much of her Auntie’s blindness takes away much of her autonomy.autonomy.

Lone StarLone Star

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• Lone Star is yet another Lone Star is yet another Hollywood patriarchal Hollywood patriarchal production.production.

• In this film the men are In this film the men are the lead characters, the lead characters, matched with guns and matched with guns and badges for even more badges for even more authority. authority.

• It was refreshing to see It was refreshing to see Mercedes Cruz as an Mercedes Cruz as an autonomic woman, but autonomic woman, but we learn that she was we learn that she was only able to become that only able to become that way with the help of the way with the help of the men in her life.men in her life.

Lone Star ContinuedLone Star Continued• First Mercedes is lost in First Mercedes is lost in

the river and saved by the river and saved by her would be husband. her would be husband. Then when she wants to Then when she wants to open a business it is only open a business it is only with the help of Buddy with the help of Buddy Deeds that she is able to.Deeds that she is able to.

• It is nice that Mercedes It is nice that Mercedes was able to sit on her was able to sit on her back lawn in the evening back lawn in the evening and relax with her good and relax with her good life, it is just such a life, it is just such a shame that films portray shame that films portray this event as only being this event as only being able to happen with the able to happen with the help of a man, or men.help of a man, or men.

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Smoke SignalsSmoke Signals

• The patriarchal system in The patriarchal system in this film is, too, alive and well.this film is, too, alive and well.• The beginning of the film isThe beginning of the film is when Arnold becomes a when Arnold becomes a hero for saving Thomas. What we don’t hero for saving Thomas. What we don’t

know is that if it were not for Arnold and know is that if it were not for Arnold and his irresponsibility Thomas would not his irresponsibility Thomas would not have been in danger to begin with, also have been in danger to begin with, also his parents would not have perished.his parents would not have perished.

Smoke Signals ContinuedSmoke Signals Continued• Arnold in his pain and guilt becomes a violent alcoholic. His Arnold in his pain and guilt becomes a violent alcoholic. His

wife is the focus of his violent outbursts. When she confronts wife is the focus of his violent outbursts. When she confronts his behavior he beats on her. In other words, she should not his behavior he beats on her. In other words, she should not question his authority, it is not her place. question his authority, it is not her place.

• We learn in the end of the film that Arnold was trying to We learn in the end of the film that Arnold was trying to forgive himself and wanted to return home. This is another forgive himself and wanted to return home. This is another example of the patriarchal system. Why does Arnold believe example of the patriarchal system. Why does Arnold believe that he can leave his family, not tell them where he is going or that he can leave his family, not tell them where he is going or how long he how long he

will be gone and then one day, atwill be gone and then one day, at his own convenience everyone is his own convenience everyone is supposed to cheer about his return. supposed to cheer about his return. The moment he walked out that The moment he walked out that door is the moment Arnold should door is the moment Arnold should have felt he gave up any and all rights to his former life and have felt he gave up any and all rights to his former life and

family.family.

Conclusion

• While we want to think we have come so far with the movement toward equality, whether it be equality of race, gender or religion, the sad truth is we have much yet to change. All of the films viewed during this course argue that much still needs to be done to equate society. Admittedly, situations are more equal today than ever, but Hollywood still seems to sneak in the patriarchal system and gender oppression in insidious ways.

• When the main characters in the films were women, such as, The Color Purple and Come See The Paradise the supporting actors were still in charge of the females’ destiny. Celie and Lily both had to answer to their fathers and eventually their husbands. In order to defy the wishes of the men in their lives they had to flee their families.

Conclusion Continued

• Le Ly and Mercedes Cruz in Heaven and Earth and Lone Star both succumbed to men in order to fulfill their dreams of independence. Did Mercedes want to become the mistress of Buddy? The film does not say. Le Ly clearly saw her escape from Viet Nam as only achievable by way of Steve.

Conclusion Continued• While men have definitely enjoyed the

roles in film, and in life, as the patriarch, things are changing. In life, women are controlling their own destiny’s much more than ever before. Further, films like Brokeback Mountain are receiving so much acclaim that slowly things are bound to turn around, for the better.

Bibliography of MoviesBibliography of Movies The Color PurpleThe Color Purple. Screenplay by Menno Meyjes. Dir. Steven Spielberg. . Screenplay by Menno Meyjes. Dir. Steven Spielberg.

Perf. Danny Glover & Whoopi Goldberg. Warner Bros. Studios, Perf. Danny Glover & Whoopi Goldberg. Warner Bros. Studios, 1985.1985.

Malcolm XMalcolm X. Screenplay by Spike Lee, Arnold Perl, James Baldwin. Dir. . Screenplay by Spike Lee, Arnold Perl, James Baldwin. Dir. Spike Lee. Perf. Denzel Washington & Angela Bassett. Warner Bros. Spike Lee. Perf. Denzel Washington & Angela Bassett. Warner Bros. Studios, 1992.Studios, 1992.

Come See The ParadiseCome See The Paradise. Screenplay by Alan Parker. Dir. Alan Parker. . Screenplay by Alan Parker. Dir. Alan Parker. Perf. Dennis Quaid & Tamlyn Tomita. Twentieth Century Fox, 1991.Perf. Dennis Quaid & Tamlyn Tomita. Twentieth Century Fox, 1991.

Heaven and EarthHeaven and Earth. Screenplay by Oliver Stone. Dir. Oliver Stone. Perf. . Screenplay by Oliver Stone. Dir. Oliver Stone. Perf. Haing S. Ngor, Hiep Thi Le & Tommy Lee Jones. Warner Bros. Studios, Haing S. Ngor, Hiep Thi Le & Tommy Lee Jones. Warner Bros. Studios, 1993.1993.

Bibliography of MoviesBibliography of Movies The Adventures of Huck FinnThe Adventures of Huck Finn. Screenplay by Stephen Sommers. Dir. . Screenplay by Stephen Sommers. Dir.

StephenSommers. Perf. Elijah Woods & Courtney B. Vance. Disney StephenSommers. Perf. Elijah Woods & Courtney B. Vance. Disney Studios, 1993Studios, 1993

A Family ThingA Family Thing. Screenplay by Billy Bob Thornton & Tom Epperson. . Screenplay by Billy Bob Thornton & Tom Epperson. Dir. Richard Pearce. Perf. Robert Duvall & James Earl Jones. MGM/UA Dir. Richard Pearce. Perf. Robert Duvall & James Earl Jones. MGM/UA Studios, 1996.Studios, 1996.

Lone StarLone Star. Screenplay by John Sayles. Dir. John Sayles. Perf. Chris . Screenplay by John Sayles. Dir. John Sayles. Perf. Chris Cooper, Elizabeth PeCooper, Elizabeth Pea & Matthew McConaughey. Castle Rock a & Matthew McConaughey. Castle Rock Entertainment, 1996.Entertainment, 1996.

Smoke SignalsSmoke Signals. Screenplay by Sherman Alexie. Dir. Chris Eyre. Perf. . Screenplay by Sherman Alexie. Dir. Chris Eyre. Perf. Adam Beach & Evan Adams. Miramax Home Entertainment, 1998.Adam Beach & Evan Adams. Miramax Home Entertainment, 1998.

Bibliography of PicturesBibliography of Pictures The Color PurpleThe Color Purple

http://www.ywcanyc.org/events/TB/051103TheColorPurple.jpghttp://www.ywcanyc.org/events/TB/051103TheColorPurple.jpg http://www.achievement.org/achievers/win0/large/win0-016.jpghttp://www.achievement.org/achievers/win0/large/win0-016.jpg http://www.filmeducation.org/secondary/TheColorPurple/p_imgs/6_1http://www.filmeducation.org/secondary/TheColorPurple/p_imgs/6_1

_1pic4.jpg_1pic4.jpg http://www.ucsc.edu/currents/01-02/art/walker_alice.01-11-19.180.jphttp://www.ucsc.edu/currents/01-02/art/walker_alice.01-11-19.180.jp

gg Malcolm XMalcolm X

http://www.blackjournalism.com/Minister%20Malcolm%20X.gifhttp://www.blackjournalism.com/Minister%20Malcolm%20X.gif http://www.delgallery.com/JS-186%20Malcolm%20X.jpghttp://www.delgallery.com/JS-186%20Malcolm%20X.jpg http://adorocinema.cidadeinternet.com.br/filmes/malcolm-x/malcolm-http://adorocinema.cidadeinternet.com.br/filmes/malcolm-x/malcolm-

x-poster02.jpgx-poster02.jpg http://www.blackagenda.com/images/cyber/malcolm-01.jpghttp://www.blackagenda.com/images/cyber/malcolm-01.jpg

Heaven and EarthHeaven and Earth http://www.screenselect.co.uk/images/products/6/14936-large.jpghttp://www.screenselect.co.uk/images/products/6/14936-large.jpg

Bibliography of Pictures ContinuedBibliography of Pictures Continued

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ucklazycatbj.jpgucklazycatbj.jpg

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Lone Star Lone Star http://members.tripod.com/~SLopez/shersamhdr.gifhttp://members.tripod.com/~SLopez/shersamhdr.gif http://www.cinemamontreal.com/images/dvd/931147-1-lone_star.jpghttp://www.cinemamontreal.com/images/dvd/931147-1-lone_star.jpg http://www.cs.unc.edu/~davemc/Pic/Tiles/Marble/Light/tan.jpghttp://www.cs.unc.edu/~davemc/Pic/Tiles/Marble/Light/tan.jpg

Smoke SignalsSmoke Signals http://www.geraldpeary.com/reviews/stuv/smoke-signals.jpghttp://www.geraldpeary.com/reviews/stuv/smoke-signals.jpg http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/98/4.30.98/http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/98/4.30.98/

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