Feminism: Louise and Thelma & Alien - Term Paper Example

? Feminism: Louise and Thelma & Alien This exercise will look at feminism in art with a focus on movies. It takes two movies namely Louise and Thelma and Alien which are Hollywood productions as its main center stage. In addition to giving a background for each movie, the study highlights the lead actresses’ roles in bringing the theme of feminism to light. For instance, Louise and Thelma which was a creation of a controversial director, Scott shows two empowered women who beat societal stereotyping and do masculine things. Alien, on its part brushes aside sexuality as the power tool for men and fronts a strong woman, Ripley as the heroine. Later on the study gives a rationale of not concentrating much on studying feminist affairs. Thesis statement Louise and Thelma & Alien provide newer perspectives in gender wars which indicate that modern women can be aggressive as men; hence little need to continue studying women's affairs. Introduction The rise of feminism in the 20th century brings with it a different angle of perception towards women. Kaplan (35) observes that traditional social elements such as media, education, religion and family have always considered the role of a woman to be backseat. Hollywood which is one of the most powerful aspects has also experienced the impact of feminism activisms. Perhaps Louise and Thelma is one of such productions that made a statement in the 90’s about how women view fellow women as Cooper (5) agrees. Alien too is a movie that stirred controversy on sexuality and feminisms. This study will look at the rationale for studying women or gender studies in regards to media and film and the relevance of the feminist ideas in the two films. Louise and Thelma is a 90’s production that was directed by Ridley Scott from the concept of melodrama and action. Various analysts have termed the film as the pioneer feminist road movie because it brings out a strong carefree woman who takes up the traditional role of a lead male actor. Traditionally all productions of movies in Hollywood, especially in the action movies had male actors as the lead figures. Female acts were either supporting cast or were used as compassionate or sex goddesses. Women of color as Hooks (117) illustrates, were used in even lower cadre positions in these productions. However, Louise and Thelma were released from the perspective of a female spectator for the audience of women. The film brings the audience to the realization of women as not being traditionally timid and laid back, but with powerful attributes that distance themselves from the emotional. The movie brings a woman out as a possible threat to the society and a fugitive who uses sly tactics, something that male actors have been accustomed. Alien on its part is a sci-fi movie that is more controversial than it is theoretical. It portrays sexual blending of genders brought about by aliens hence creating tension of gender power. Before analyzing the themes and rationale of the feminism theories in the film, it is vital to summarize the plot of the two films. Louise and Thelma begin with the two ladies taking a trip to the country with a convertible car for a vacation. However, the plot sees the two ladies get into the various challenges and obstacles that drive them to take the unprecedented actions that are not normally associated with ladies in the film. Traditionally in film, women faced with danger would cry or look for a male savior or hero to save the day in the scenario. Matter of fact, the director shows that once the two ladies conquered an obstacle, they become stronger and more determined. For instance, when Thelma survives the rape attempt by Harlan, her fears depart and she goes ahead to handle guns and carjacks police officers. Louise on her part symbolically vomits on the roadside and brings out the heroine in her afterwards (Kotsopoulos, 5). The male acts are seen as emotionally unstable and timid when women come into the picture. For instance, Thelma turns down a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Jimmy, something that many women won’t, for the sake of thrill. Thereafter, the women commit armed robbery, take on huge trucks normally driven by men and constantly use demeaning words and gestures otherwise used by men. As the movie picks to its climax, the women are fugitives who use every instinct to the runway from the law but are cornered by police. Surrender is not an option and the film ends when their car falls down the canyon. This movie is a portrayal of a heroine in the movies who conquer fear traditional perceptions and prejudices of women. Tiina (213) has spoken critically on the aspect of framing the lethal side of women in visual arts.This is something which Alien as a movie also tries to exemplify as the review seems to determine. In this science fiction, the role of a woman as a heroine is brought into perspective . However, the perspective in this horror movie is the unisex characters that seem to defy the fact that gender has been a symbol of power, or weakness at its maximum. In Alien movie for instance, Ripley is a strong character who is not only organized but makes better judgment than the male counterparts. The male captain of the ship seems to be powerless and eventually gets killed. Lambert also suffers the same fate when she chooses to follow the lead of the male fork. Ripley makes proper judgment and eventually defeats the aliens, hence the heroine. Judging from the two films, one can notice that the trend of modernism has become inclined towards accepting the fact that women are equal players in the game. Film and literature directed or written by women for women respectively, have been fundamental towards addressing the role which gender plays in general affairs. For instance, traditional female writers who captured events such the world war, slavery, civil rights movement placed the woman as the one to wait at home and take care of the children while the men were at the frontline. However, modern writers and film directors have started placing women as lead acts in action and horror movies. This trend comes as a result of gender activities that men and women are beginning to accept the society today. One may question whether it is relevant to study women's affairs anymore because of these developments. Controversial as they may seem, women's affairs are vital but very sensitive in nature as Tiina( 214) agrees. The affirmative roles by movie directors and writers to show women’s positions cannot be ignored. Society is slowly accepting that women can equally get their fair share of the cake. Ultimately, the audience of such movies who are mostly women would want to find out the unspoken truth and the traditionally unchallenged perspectives. As this study has shown, the media, literature and visual art are some of the elements which have been used to champion rights of women. Feminism which is centrally portrayed in the two movies is received positively and not so positively by movie critics. In conclusion, gender studies and feminist theories have come of age and studying of identity politics is soon becoming irrelevant. Works Cited Cooper, Brenda. "Chick Flicks" as Feminist Texts: The Appropriation of the Male Gaze in Thelma & Hooks, Bell. Black Looks: Race & representation. Boston South End Press, 1992. Print Kaplan, Ann. Women and Film: Both Sides of the Camera. London: Methuen. 1983. P35. Print. Kotsopoulos, Aspasia . Genre and Allegory in Readings of Thelma and Louise Gendering Expectations.1 (1995). P 13. Print Louise. Women's Studies in Communication 23 (3) p277-306. 2000. Print Tiina Vares. Framing "Killer Women" Films: Audience Use of Genre, Feminist Media Studies, 2(2) 213-229 Read More