The Emergence of the Female Hero in Film
Images in films have historically portrayed women as the damsel in distress, the seductress or the love interest of the hero more than likely while incorporating one of the two aforementioned traditional parts. In the real world, gender roles and societal expectations stifled the imagination process of young women, limiting their expectation of what the future can hold. Film being reflective of society, often portrayed those women who dared to go against the grain as villains, unstable and of weak character all because the very idea went against a symbolic natural order (King, N., 2008). The idea of what it means to be a woman and ladylike has evolved with women performing and excelling in traditionally …show more content…
While Bella Swan, one of the main characters in Breaking Dawn is not a police officer, her character embodies the spirit of one, struggling with right and wrong and ultimately battling evil in the quest for a righteous life. Breaking Dawn, the fourth installment in the Twilight series based on novels by Stephenie Meyer, is the final movie in the love story/battle of good versus evil. Bella’s character while considered a female hero does not necessarily defy the traditional stereotypes women are forced into. Bella initially defies her father to carry on an affair with the tortured vampire Edward, is often in precarious situations which require her to be saved. Bella shows great strength in her ability to adapt to challenges and eventually helps to bring about a peace between the battling werewolves and vampires. Despite all the good tat can be seen in the character of Bella Swan, she still perpetuates the victim role and the ever persevering mother who would give her life for her husband and …show more content…
If young women and girls look to films and other media outlets as a way to see how their lives can end up, the fact that many films show women in a less than flattering light of characters which are the victims of violent crimes. The rape victim, the drug abuser willing to do anything for the next fix or the girlfriend who gets beat down only to be rescued by a big handsome man in the end. According to an article in Sociological Forum the stereotypical female or “("good girls") are not immune from criminal victimization, but when this occurs their victimization is recognized and legitimized, as is their need for male protection” (Eschholz, S & Bufkin, J., 2001). The emergence of the female hero like The Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeen, teaches young women that it is not necessary to have a man come in to save you from the troubles of the world. Katniss represents the resilience of women in circumstances not of their own making to overcome and excel; her character defies the stereotypical “pretty girl”, strong, awkward and tough. The character of Katniss Everdeen brings both what are considered to be feminine characteristics, like the nurturing and surrogate mother role to her younger sister Prim and the fact that she as District 12 tributes is responsible for killing competitors, arguably more a masculine ability, in her
Images in films have historically portrayed women as the damsel in distress, the seductress or the love interest of the hero more than likely while incorporating one of the two aforementioned traditional parts. In the real world, gender roles and societal expectations stifled the imagination process of young women, limiting their expectation of what the future can hold. Film being reflective of society, often portrayed those women who dared to go against the grain as villains, unstable and of weak character all because the very idea went against a symbolic natural order (King, N., 2008). The idea of what it means to be a woman and ladylike has evolved with women performing and excelling in traditionally …show more content…
While Bella Swan, one of the main characters in Breaking Dawn is not a police officer, her character embodies the spirit of one, struggling with right and wrong and ultimately battling evil in the quest for a righteous life. Breaking Dawn, the fourth installment in the Twilight series based on novels by Stephenie Meyer, is the final movie in the love story/battle of good versus evil. Bella’s character while considered a female hero does not necessarily defy the traditional stereotypes women are forced into. Bella initially defies her father to carry on an affair with the tortured vampire Edward, is often in precarious situations which require her to be saved. Bella shows great strength in her ability to adapt to challenges and eventually helps to bring about a peace between the battling werewolves and vampires. Despite all the good tat can be seen in the character of Bella Swan, she still perpetuates the victim role and the ever persevering mother who would give her life for her husband and …show more content…
If young women and girls look to films and other media outlets as a way to see how their lives can end up, the fact that many films show women in a less than flattering light of characters which are the victims of violent crimes. The rape victim, the drug abuser willing to do anything for the next fix or the girlfriend who gets beat down only to be rescued by a big handsome man in the end. According to an article in Sociological Forum the stereotypical female or “("good girls") are not immune from criminal victimization, but when this occurs their victimization is recognized and legitimized, as is their need for male protection” (Eschholz, S & Bufkin, J., 2001). The emergence of the female hero like The Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeen, teaches young women that it is not necessary to have a man come in to save you from the troubles of the world. Katniss represents the resilience of women in circumstances not of their own making to overcome and excel; her character defies the stereotypical “pretty girl”, strong, awkward and tough. The character of Katniss Everdeen brings both what are considered to be feminine characteristics, like the nurturing and surrogate mother role to her younger sister Prim and the fact that she as District 12 tributes is responsible for killing competitors, arguably more a masculine ability, in her