Feminist Criticism on Erin Brockovich - Essay Example

Feminist criticism of “Erin Brokovich” “Feminism is, at its core, very simple: the belief that men and woman should have equal opportunity for self-expression" (Foss 151) The film “Erin Brokovich” portrays the true story of a gutsy, working class woman who literally fights her back from being down and out to emerge as the successful winner of the biggest class action law suit in history. But while the film portrays this socially significant, political issue where justice triumphs in the end, the major focus of the film is an intensely personal right to self expression of the female protagonist Erin Brokovich. The blatant use of her sexuality to defy the conventional norms of society and the legal profession is the rhetorical artifact used in the film. The conventional gender image of the foul mouthed, hooker-type working class woman as that of a down-and-out, brainless, blonde bimbo is blasted to smithereens in the film as Erin Brokovich defies the brainless bimbo tag to emerge in the top rank of the sharpest legal minds in history. Rhetorical criticism centers on the nature of a critical enquiry which is being made. Feminist criticism assumes importance because it is an examination of how existing gender roles are reinforced or challenged through the medium of film. According to Newman (1933), the medium of film is like a mirror that reflects society’s values and beliefs, its hopes and aspirations. The portrayal of gender roles through the medium has a powerful impact and influence upon viewers and can change the way they perceive or embody society delinerated gender roles. Foss defines rhetorical criticism as follows: “Rhetorical criticism done from a feminist perspective, then, is designed to analyze and evaluate the use of rhetoric to construct and maintain particular gender definitions for women and men…. Two assumptions that connect gender with rhetoric under gird feminist criticism: (1) womens experiences are different from men ~ and (2) womens voices are not heard in language…. Its focus is on one primary research question: "How has gender been communicated through rhetorical artifacts?" (Foss 151-152). When this is applied in the case of Erin Brokovich, it may be noted that the blatant expression of sexuality in the film reinforces and loudly advertises her gender but when the character of Masry questions her “Why do you dress that way?” she shouts back “I like how I look.” This is where the character’s right to self expression is upheld and the film communicates a vitally important message about individual self expression that goes against the traditional gender stereotype that exists for women depending upon the way they look. The film Erin Brokovich, even while portraying the existing stereotype of the working class, blasts the myths associated with it by (a) going against type and exploding the myth of the working class stereotype (b) fulfilling the working class dream to escape from the working class, which is personified in Brokovich winning the suit to emerge richer by 2 million dollars. Therefore, the research question identified in this Paper is “How does Erin Brokovich” go against the existing working class gender stereotype?” The answer to this question is that she goes against the working class gender stereotype by her confidence in herself and her never give up attitude, using brains and her independence to defeat the system. The feminist rhetoric in the film is directed inwards, towards the right to self expression and self realization through her existence as an independent woman separate from a man and through her empathy with other women in the film (O’Brien, 2000). Female sexuality is the gender artifact in the film. Brokovich wears nine inch heels, tight mini skirts and eye popping low cut blouses that reinforce the society stereotype of “tart.” Why is this element of sexuality so important in the film? Because of all the connotations that go along with it. The implied promiscuity of the main character could have proved to be a distraction from the important social and political message in the film. But the film is geared to explode the stereotype, through its emphasis on the character’s right to self expression in a manner that satisfies her rather than conforming to society’s expectations of her. The first step in the analysis of the artifact is its conception of gender on the audience (Foss 155). The overt sexuality in the film and the character’s tribulations in the initial quarter of the film are a typical reflection of society’s attitude towards working class women. The character of Masry, Brokovich’s lawyer who could have negotiated a good settlement in her car accident is dismissive in his attitude because of the male perspective from which he views her – as a sexually promiscuous woman who basically deserves nothing better. The Judge and jury in the car accident case are similarly prejudiced against Brokovich because of the way she dresses, defying all the conventional norms of society in its perception of what is considered feminine and “respectable”. The feminity displayed in the artifact is blatantly sexual and according to the norms of society, most people find it offensive. From the male perspective, it provides titillation and sexual interest, but it is the kind of contemptuous attraction that is not designed to last or yield any worthwhile relationship as far as the protagonist is concerned. Therefore, the image that Brokovich portrays is designed to violate society’s conception of the ideal woman lawyer, who is respectable and dowdily dressed, the way other female attorneys in Masry’s firm are. The manner in which Brokovich dresses on the other hand, is provocative and not geared towards inspiring confidence in the clients. During the process of rhetorical criticism, "the critic attempts to discover how the analysis of the artifact can be used to alter the denigrating gender role assigned to women and help them live in new way" (Foss 157). From this angle, the film Erin Brokovich succeeds in exploding the stereotypes and providing a fresh perspective. The very sexuality that invokes so much contempt becomes her weapon to uncover the secret of how a big corporate entity is poisoning the water supply of a little town in California. When Brokovich needs to get hold of some incriminating memos that will help her to prove her case in the Courts, her boss Masry asks her “Why do you think you can just waltz in there and get what you want?” Brokovich’s straightforward reply is; “They’re called boobs, Ed.” And when she leans over and places her elbows together on a clerk’s desk, he’s subjected to an eyeful that pushes him into a daze where he permits Brokovich to xerox incriminating documents without a murmur of protest. Yet, this same sexuality serves to bind Brokovich to the working class women who are the victims in this case. Had she been dressed as conventional lawyers were, she might have perhaps placed herself out of the league of working women and would not have been so successful in building bonds of empathy with them, the way she does with characters such as Marg Helgenberger and Cherry Jones(O’Brien 2000). Both these women are victims of the big electric Company, but they trust Brokovich because she’s one of them and in this unity and connection between women, there emerges the strength to go to battle against a mega corporation with plenty of money and plenty of political support. Their testimony and evidence form a vital component of victory in the case. The confidence Brokovich has in herself is the result of her independence and self expression in ways that please her inner self rather than conforming to society’s expectations. In the boldness she displays in rejecting society’s norms and rebelling against conventional images and gender roles of women, she reveals the inner strength of her character, which goes completely against the external stereotype of the gender role she portrays through her dress. This film thereby provides an inspiration to other viewers of the film, to have the courage to be themselves and please themselves, even if it goes against the norms of society. The external flaunting of society’s rules is only a reflection of the inner courage that this character possesses, to exist independently of the support of men and the other props to gain society’s approval. The indomitable strength of the character is revealed in her never-give-up attitude, as she fights her way back up from her down-and-out status, using her intelligence and wits to dig deep into areas where others might have quailed. Her independent spirit helps her to reach out to other females and encourage them to be similarly bold and daring in going against the strong corporate entity. In doing so, it is the very same artifact of overt sexuality that proves to be the source of her strength and independence that functions as an inspiration to others. She is one woman who has the courage to be herself, to resist the temptation to conform to others’ perceptions and in doing so, she explodes many of the myths and stereotypes of women that currently exist in society and reveals that even a working class woman who dresses like a promiscuous tart can still succeed, through sheer will power and brains. Therefore, in answer to the research question posed in this paper: “How does Erin Brokovich” go against the existing working class gender stereotype?”, the answer is that she accomplishes the busting of the gender stereotype through her courage in self expression and an assertion of her individuality as a unique person, independent of her mode of dress or her status in society. The artifact of sexuality is her weapon of self expression and the source of her strength. References cited: Foss, Sonja K (1989). Rhetorical Criticism. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Newman, Marc T. (1993). A Rhetorical Analysis of Popular American Film. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt, 1993. O’Brien, Harvey. (2000). Movie Review of Erin Brokovich. [Online] Available at: http://www.celebritywonder.com/movie/2000_Erin_Brockovich24.html; accessed 10/23/2005. Read More