babble home
rabble.ca - news for the rest of us
today's active topics


Post New Topic  Post A Reply
FAQ | Forum Home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» babble   » walking the talk   » feminism   » Buffy and empowerment...

Email this thread to someone!    
Author Topic: Buffy and empowerment...
CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117

posted 17 February 2008 10:13 AM      Profile for CMOT Dibbler     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
In 1997, Joss Whedon, feminist, athiest and anglophile, brought Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the small screen. Whedon's

intention was to bring feminism to the masses without drowning his audience in feminist theory. To a certain extent he

succeeded. Buffy makes war on demons and vampires without relying too heavily on the men in her life, and the show's male

protagonists are to a large extent kind spirited and gentle.
Outside of combat situations however, Buffy is a traditionalist. Her biggest worries seem to be going to prom and getting

facials, neither of which is a bad thing, lots of strong women go for spaw treatments and want to go to glitzy parties, but

the problem lies with Whedon's decision to portray such activivities as "normal" and to portray women who aren't

traditionally minded as abnormal.
The most rebelious women on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the progam's least likable characters. Cordy Chase, a girl who

always says what she thinks, is a bully and a prima donna, Anya, Xander's strong willed girlfriend, is portrayed as a

shrewish six year old, and Faith, perhaps Buffy the Vampire Slayer's strongest female character, is presented a murdrous

sociopath. In this way Joss is asking all women, wheather they can identify with Buffy's character or not, to embrace her as

a feminist icon, and to dismiss all th other women who reject her particular brand of feminity as deeply flawed at best
and unspeakably evil at worst.

Regardless of his intentions, Joss Whedon has given us a show that that demonizes empowered women and presents us with a

very narrow interpretation of feminist thought.


From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
Sineed
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11260

posted 17 February 2008 01:23 PM      Profile for Sineed     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I didn't see Buffy when it was first around and am now on season 6 with my girls. The first few seasons were all about girl power, though as the years go on, it seems that any sort of "feminist message" (is it really intended?) is diluted by the need for novel story lines.

I mean, what's the deal with Buffy and her inability to fall in love except with vampires? If I took the supposed feminist message of the show that seriously, I'd be offended by the implication that a powerful woman is emotionally damaged.

But I don't take any TV shows seriously, and my girls and I sit back and enjoy how Buffy can kick the ass of any man she meets (human or demon).


From: # 668 - neighbour of the beast | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged
rural - Francesca
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14858

posted 17 February 2008 01:43 PM      Profile for rural - Francesca   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Can we exand this discussion to include other strong female characters.

I won't include the new Terminator series as there isn't enough and relies heavily on 'mother bear' ideas.

But we loved Xena, Alice from the Resident Evil series, Lara Croft etc


From: the backyard | Registered: Dec 2007  |  IP: Logged
remind
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6289

posted 17 February 2008 01:56 PM      Profile for remind     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Ghost Whisperer and Medium also come to mind for strong and empowered female leads in TV!
From: "watching the tide roll away" | Registered: Jun 2004  |  IP: Logged
ElizaQ
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9355

posted 17 February 2008 04:04 PM      Profile for ElizaQ     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by remind:
Ghost Whisperer and Medium also come to mind for strong and empowered female leads in TV!

I love those shows!
Love Buffy too. I'll admit it.

Never thought of them in terms of 'feminism' though.

What I do like about both Ghost Whisperer and Medium is that both characters are married and in the case of Medium with a family. You don't see that much nowadays. A lot of other shows with female leads are always single.


From: Eastern Lakes | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged
remind
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6289

posted 17 February 2008 04:51 PM      Profile for remind     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by ElizaQ:
Never thought of them in terms of 'feminism' though.

What I do like about both Ghost Whisperer and Medium is that both characters are married and in the case of Medium with a family. You don't see that much nowadays. A lot of other shows with female leads are always single.


One can really only view them from that angle, IMV, the fact that they are married with husbands playing a supportive role and having lives of their own really spells equality in action.

Plus, both female leads have normal size bodies and not ultra skinny.


From: "watching the tide roll away" | Registered: Jun 2004  |  IP: Logged
ElizaQ
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9355

posted 17 February 2008 06:07 PM      Profile for ElizaQ     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by remind:


Plus, both female leads have normal size bodies and not ultra skinny.


Yes so true and you don't get any, 'I'm worried about my weight" comments or plotlines.


From: Eastern Lakes | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged
CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117

posted 17 February 2008 07:16 PM      Profile for CMOT Dibbler     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I think somone should create a new show entitled Juno the Vampire Slayer starring Ellen Page.
From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged

All times are Pacific Time  

Post New Topic  Post A Reply Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | rabble.ca | Policy Statement

Copyright 2001-2008 rabble.ca