Reinforcing Patriarchal Values in Contemporary Television - Movie Review Example

Reinforcing Patriarchal Values in Contemporary Television: Lost Fiction through visual media examines multiple aspects of a given phenomenon from a ‘lived’ perspective – that is, the characters must experience the event as it occurs, the action must be believable and the results must follow logically. As we begin to define our society and social roles, fiction provides examples and analogies that bridge gaps in understanding in reinforcing how we should behave as well as reflecting how we do behave. Although we seem to have made tremendous advances in social equality, an examination into one television series, Lost, illustrates how many of the concepts of the traditional patriarchal society are reinforced through the actions and events that take place on the island. Within the patriarchal society of the Christian nations, the female has always been relegated to the status of the ‘other’, frequently misunderstood, almost always under tremendous social constraints and easily removed from a favorable position with only the slightest provocation. White women, as the dominant race, were to be protected, pampered and cajoled into obedience while women of other races were expected to serve them and follow much more authoritative directives. While each classification of women – white and not-white – has traditionally been restricted within rigid bounds, the obviousness of these bounds were often softened for white women. A proper analogy for this would be the bird in the gilded cage for white women and the bird in the box for all others. There are numerous examples of this in the first episode of the series as the pregnant white woman is given a protector to watch over her while the recently resuscitated black woman is left lying alone on the beach trying to catch her breath. Another white girl is found painting her nails while she is brought food by a man looking out for her more immediate welfare. At the same time, men, as protectors and knowledge-holders, are expected to operate according to specific rules of behavior, namely that they were to be heterosexual, virile, yet also constrained and sensible of a woman’s good name. As Jack, Charlie and Kate explore the nose section of the wrecked plane, Jack remains conscious of where Kate is at all times, demonstrating a very protective attitude toward her while no one concerns themselves with Charlie’s whereabouts or welfare. A white woman was assumed to have a good name in society until she proves otherwise; however, even the slightest infraction of social norms could shame her in the eyes of the community regardless of her social rank, sometimes in ways that are completely beyond her control, as in the case of the pregnant girl suddenly finding herself alone. Differences between the genders are also brought into more detail with the second episode. This begins as the Asian couple is seen along the beach and the woman is approached by the black man in search of his son. Although he is only talking with her because she is closest to him, it becomes clear through the angry words of the Asian man in the water that the woman is not permitted to talk with the black man, no matter what the subject. She responds to the black man in Chinese, but with enough hesitation in her manner to make it seem as if she might have understood what he was asking and the cause of his worry – meaning that she can understand English but chooses not to make this clear in response to previous instructions. Although subtitles are not provided for this interaction, the next words from the Asian man in the water are apparently telling the woman to button up her shirt, which has only the very top button undone as this is the next action she takes. This is in direct comparison with Shannon, who is seen laying out on the beach like a bathing beauty rather than a plane wreck survivor, and with Kate, who is later seen bathing herself wearing nothing more than a pair of very brief bikini panties and a bra. Some might argue that Kate’s decision to go on a hike in an attempt to get the transceiver up high enough to achieve reception is an affirmation of a woman’s strength and right to do as she pleases. She announces her plan to Jack as matter-of-factly as any man might, but, through Jack’s reaction, is shown to be, in actuality, only requesting permission for the trip. She must argue with Jack and prove her reasoning is sound before she is permitted to make the trip. In similar fashion, Shannon, who makes the decision to join the expedition as a result of a childish tantrum, is only permitted to go along by her brother because he determines it is easier to indulge her than to fight her. However, he goes along as a means of protecting her from whatever dangers she might get herself into. As compared to the pregnant girl’s situation seen in episode 1, Shannon continues to demonstrate her higher class status as she continues to deny the situation and spends her time with the same sort of activities she did at home – painting her nails, laying out in the sun and refusing to eat processed foods she feels are unhealthy or will contribute to her weight. She demonstrates that her sheltered life has ill-prepared her for the shocks she has received upon the event of the plane crash. Although everyone has experienced the same degree of upheaval, she seems to feel that she is the only one attempting to overcome such hardships. As she talks with the pregnant girl, she seems to take on an air of superiority, as if she is gracing the other girl with the favor of her conversation and indicates that it is perfectly natural for her to ask very personal questions of the pregnant girl while the pregnant girl has little or no right to know anything about her. It is only as she has the opportunity to see the man she was mean to at the gate lying dead in the sand that she starts to understand that she is of no better or worse class than the other. However, it is also because of her social class, which enabled her to spend a year in Paris “shopping, not learning” that she is able to understand the looped radio signal that is picked up on the dying transceiver. Throughout the television series, the idea that the only natural and logical order of the group of survivors will depend upon how well they can bring themselves back in line with traditional patriarchal roles and values. In each episode, a gradual progression of thought can be seen to be taking place, not only within the literature itself, but apparently also through the accepted themes and expressions allowed in the general public. Of particular note are the ways in which masculine dominance is seen to reassert itself throughout the course of the series as women invariably must be protected and watched over rather than taking on human adult responsibilities and actions. This is not for lack of trying on the women’s part to retain the autonomy and action they enjoyed as members of a more civilized society, but is instead presented as a natural fact of life and necessary means of survival within less civilized worlds. Works Cited Lost. Episodes 1, 2. (2004). [television series]. Read More