Mid term rough draft (posting)
Fly and Be Free!
Feminism is like a caterpillar truing into a butterfly. For all those who don’t like feminism, then it is like moth. The analogy can apply to two both insects because they both go through the same process. A caterpillar works it way to an end or a goal. A caterpillar must go through steps to become a butterfly or moth. It is difficult to define feminism because there is such a wide range of feminism; however, it is much easier to define feminism as a process going through steps. The steps may seem contradictory. But a caterpillar cannot be a butterfly nor can it be a cocoon, but they are part of the same process. This process is similar feminism. On a historical or private level feminism can be seen not only in variations, but different steps. Feminism can be broken up into four steps: acknowledging the existence of women, moving on to having pride in being a woman, then breaking new grounds or rules and finally the goal or end for feminism is to eliminate gender. By using examples of women in the film industry these steps will become obvious.
In order to be know or be apart of feminism, there needs to be acknowledgement of the female sex. In studying film, there a person needs to be aware of the female existence in film to understand their significance. It is obvious that the world is domainiated by men. Most history, art history, and film history seems to be the written by men. Ally Acker, author of Reel Women: Pioneers of the Cinema 1896 to the Present, seems some what perturb that there were women who made a big impact on in film in general, but they are only known by a select few. “If the history books forgot to convey this no-small detail [that women were to lay a significant part in film history] does it make that fact of it any less true? Does it made the work that these women nprduced any less significant? What these women produced any less significant? What was the difference, I wondered, between a omission from history and a lie?” (xviii) In a broader view, a part of acknowledgment could be to view a woman as a woman, and not as not-man. In Mulvey’s film theory she uses Freud analysis as men viewing women as not man. But this rises questions on if there are women who view themselves as not man or on how a woman views herself. In addition, on the second day of taking Women in film the professor, Shelley Rodrigo said that she would argue that just taking this class would be an act of feminism. Thus, showing acknowledgment is the first step in feminism.
After women are acknowledged, there is a pride of the sex that is woman. Because men tend to see women (find a quote or something that supports this) as an object makes it hard for men to have pride for this sex, but gay men could be the exception. Women, therefore find pride in there own sex, mainly their sexuality. In Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, a book written by Anita Loos and then transformed into a play and movie, shows pride in Dorothy Shaw being a women when she says that they cant call themselves women if they cant get a man pants off in ten minutes. Sure, women are oppressed and are viewed as objects, and women who use their sexuality may be call antifeminist. In the movie Dance Girl Dance, directed by Dorthory Arzer, there is pride in both being a women but in different ways. The character Bubbles played by Luciclle Ball (look up) uses her sexuality to be in a show, where she is an object. She is a flit, but that is how she likes it, it seems. While the character Judy shows real pride by having dignity to her sexuality. Thus in having pride does means accepting the traits and making them there own, but can have dignity. Another example is Mea West, who was vaguer, up front, sassy and could use her sexuality to her advantage brings control to the female. (Find a quote or fem film theory to support this). Sure, she is a Hollywood icon. Though she may be called a sex icon, she is a strong voice about her. She did not have to be proper or what men wanted. She was what she was. There is a natural grace and presence in Mea West that does not need to use her sexuality. Because she wrote her own material and plays, in a way, she was not a victim of media be wanting sex, her plays were banned. In pride there is exploration and development of identity and equality. This moves on to the next step of the process.
The next step is women changing or forming paradigms. In a world ruled by men, feminism changes a, law, lifestyle, social standards and any other view that is under a male paradigm and makes it female. According to Mulvey, the cinema is seen through a male eye. (Fill in quote or something in). Through feminist film theory, the view can be changed. Ally Acker mentions triats of female directors. One of the traits is to focus on controversial issues. Louis Webber focused on issues about women such as abortion, and class issues. She was at her time the highest paid director. It is as though she made her paradigm, and became successful. Though she did not change to conform to Hollywood standards and died broke. Director something Deren started a new form of film making. She is said to have started an alterative cinema. (Use examples). As changes are made in the world by women and feminist idea, where else is there to go? Where is the goal or end of feminism?
As all things tend to work to something greater or a finish, feminism seems to be aiming towards a world where sex (being a man or woman) does not matter. This is better than equality, but a true gender and sexual accpetness. Accepting of homosexuals as Mea West herself had plays on is part of the feminist movement. Dorothy Arnzer as a director did not consider herself dong anything different by being a director. Films tackle lesbian idea(look up).Ida Lupino was did not consider herself a woman, and in fact was known for having films where she made films where all were men such as the Hitch Hiker. We also see feminist film theory questioning men and their role. See them objects as well as women is becoming more obvious in film and other modes of media. The question pose is that are men feminized or put on a different level? Can not be a difference between male and female. In the next few years, can we see just as many female directors as male? And if we do, will we get a sense of genderless viewing or a least gender variation though out many films?
The future is unknown, but feminism seems to be here for a purpose. Where sex or gender does not matter seems to be the goal. If sex and gender does not matter, can feminism still exist? Thus, in acknowledging women, having pride in women are changing paradigms that are male dominated are all reach to eliminate or change the difference of sex and gender. Then, like a caterpillar, which may seem changeless, will surprises many by turning into a different form. Feminism may be more complicated and hard to measure, but like a caterpillar, there is much more to be expected.
