A Rhetorical Analysis of the function of Aliens in Media
Aliens are beings from other places, most notably outer space. According to Webster dictionary they, “[Differ] in nature or character typical to the point of incompatibility” (2017). Though aliens are sometimes represented as humanoid, in many popular representations they are often represented as monstrous. In turn, monsters are regarded as less than human. They are used to police humans against certain traits and behaviors or critique certain positions. However, monsters are not always grotesque but they always have the purpose of making individuals in society conform to a certain agenda or be labeled as a monster. Aliens are used as a symbol of fear when represented as monsters. Thus, they operate …show more content…
James Cameron’s Alien expresses a social fear that women held during the 1980’s as well as depicts a difference between a traditional route to motherhood and a non-traditional route to motherhood. In the 1980’s, women were expected to continue to take care of the home and children regardless if they worked or not. Women’s education was on the rise since they wanted to pursue more fulfilling career. “By 1984, 49% of undergraduate college degrees… 49% of all master’s degrees and about 33% of all doctoral degrees… were being awarded to women” (McKenzie). This extra education gave women the push to become successful and still try to pursue a family. However what Aliens says about this pressure is, as females pursue more education and careers they stray farther from traditional gender roles and start to change their perspective on traditional relationships. Ripley demonstrates this as she travels onto a colony with Marines to investigate a loss of contact. Ripley travels into the hive and focuses on saving the young girl Newt. These two have formed a nontraditional mother and daughter bond which shines Ripley in another light as an adoptive
Aliens are beings from other places, most notably outer space. According to Webster dictionary they, “[Differ] in nature or character typical to the point of incompatibility” (2017). Though aliens are sometimes represented as humanoid, in many popular representations they are often represented as monstrous. In turn, monsters are regarded as less than human. They are used to police humans against certain traits and behaviors or critique certain positions. However, monsters are not always grotesque but they always have the purpose of making individuals in society conform to a certain agenda or be labeled as a monster. Aliens are used as a symbol of fear when represented as monsters. Thus, they operate …show more content…
James Cameron’s Alien expresses a social fear that women held during the 1980’s as well as depicts a difference between a traditional route to motherhood and a non-traditional route to motherhood. In the 1980’s, women were expected to continue to take care of the home and children regardless if they worked or not. Women’s education was on the rise since they wanted to pursue more fulfilling career. “By 1984, 49% of undergraduate college degrees… 49% of all master’s degrees and about 33% of all doctoral degrees… were being awarded to women” (McKenzie). This extra education gave women the push to become successful and still try to pursue a family. However what Aliens says about this pressure is, as females pursue more education and careers they stray farther from traditional gender roles and start to change their perspective on traditional relationships. Ripley demonstrates this as she travels onto a colony with Marines to investigate a loss of contact. Ripley travels into the hive and focuses on saving the young girl Newt. These two have formed a nontraditional mother and daughter bond which shines Ripley in another light as an adoptive