What is feminism? What's a "strong female character"?

[egeria61]

Apparently--{spoken in dry tones} thoughts on strong, scifi female characters have been on my mind, A LOT, so I'm posting my response to pellucid's recent entry.  (I won't torture her by linking to it.)

I think that our "love of literature," or fannish love of television, begins when we start having a relationship with these (strong, female)

Comments

My insanely long comment, inspired by your captivating blog entry, read at your own peril

[metatxt]

OK I have wayyyy too many thoughts running around in my head after reading this

Re: My insanely long comment, inspired by your captivating blog entry, read at your own peril

[egeria61]

I like your criteria! Looking at these issues in context is at the heart of applying knowledge and theory strategically, and appropriately. This is, by the way, a very demanding set of criteria (which makes me cling to it with wild abandon). It makes sense to see how the character participates in the overall ethos of the show, how she advances the plot, and how she influences other characters on the show. (By the way, one of my favorite things about Roslin is how she influences Adama's thinking. It's a sign that she IS a "strong female character." Of course, it's much better when Adama actually CREDITS Roslin when he uses her words, or her line of reasoning (A to Tigh: "we need to start having babies" or A to Starbuck: "I know she is. The President. I'm tired of losing.")

I wonder if that's also the way to approach the "Strong Female Characters" in Scifi question. I'm (more than a little) hung up on the resemblances and lack thereof between female characters. I see that you lose something in the process of taking these

Re: My insanely long comment, inspired by your captivating blog entry, read at your own peril

[metatxt]

Demanding criteria makes me swoon too :D

Yes! that is the best part about Roslin and Adama. I hate when characters supposedly exist in a vacuum, as if their relationship has no bearing on their perspective or growth. Roslin is genius. She so totally owns me.

I really like your breakdown, besides linking disparate characters, it moves SciFi out of the ghetto, putting characterization and thematics first, and superficial setting second. OMG I cannot WAIT for the new LR inspired characters. Even though she's more morally grey than Roslin, I wonder if Adelle DeWitt in Dollhouse will be one of those characters.

Re: My insanely long comment, inspired by your captivating blog entry, read at your own peril

[egeria61]

putting characterization and thematics first, and superficial setting second Hadn't thought of that before! So it doesn't matter as much whether a SFC plays a "traditional" or a "professional" role. That's exciting, as is talking to you. (Dude, it's like oxygen in a stuffy room.)

Re: My insanely long comment, inspired by your captivating blog entry, read at your own peril

[metatxt]

*huuuuugs* Oh it is very much the same talking to you!