what.
I've been searching for essays on SW for my theory class, and I didn't really think I'd have trouble finding them. On the upside, I really haven't had trouble -- but most of them are awful.
A lot of the authors half-heartedly tried to take on sexism - and, I mean, I think there's lots of sexism in SW? Both in-story and in its construction? But things like this version of "feminist" crit makes my skin crawl.
For instance:
In the final scene, dressed in a décolleté gown, which symbolizes her role as a sexual prize
In what way is Leia a sexual prize? The closest thing to sex are some decidedly chaste kisses that she initiates. She isn't awarded to anyone; she gives awards to Han and Luke, in her capacity as ... y'know, HBIC?
And wearing *gasp* a low-cut gown doesn't symbolize sexual receptivity of any kind, asshat. Is he seriously saying that the mere fact of wearing a dress that doesn't go up to her chin makes her a prize? Oh no, she wears something that suggests she has breasts! So wrong! Look, that's not fighting sexism, that's fucking slut-shaming. It's like the proto-version of all the shit about how Padmé owed Anakin sex or something if she was going to go around in revealing black leather. No. Go away.
In case someone in the universe hasn't seen the scene, here's Leia the sexual prize.
This is an orgy.
she stands on the steps between her father at the top and the young heroes at the bottom, mediating the gap between them
Her...father?
what
how
I think someone would have noticed if Vader were at the celebration? And I didn't notice Bail Organa's ghost lurking around, either. Though I'll admit I'm cackling at the idea of Leia (1) mediating between Luke and Han on one hand and Vader on the other, or (2) bridging the gap between the world and the spirit world GUYS SHE'S THE AVATAR.
Anyway, in what way is she mediating between the Rebel leader that the author clearly didn't realize isn't her father and Luke and Han? Honestly, when does she ever mediate between anyone? It's not like she was "these are my daring rescuers, praise them," she just went, "we have no time for sorrows, Commander" and started issuing proclamations. She's heading the ceremony because she ... you know, heads the Rebellion? At the very least she's part of a wider leadership, at most she's the sole leader. In neither case does she function as an intermediary.
and mitigating the scene's overt militarism.
Not really? Honestly, her distinctly regal appearance (and initially, demeanour) in this scene just made it more militaristic, in a quasi-medieval way, as if they're being knighted by a queen. Then, of course, she and Luke exchange dorky grins and Han winks at her and she looks away and suddenly it's about the people and not the spectacle.
Her position in the system is clear. Her existence makes the rebel hierarchy a good hierarchy because she is a path to the top.
No. How does this make any sense? Leia IS the top. Even if you wanted to argue that Han "acquires" her in ROTJ, that doesn't put him at the top. Leia becomes a soldier, instead.
By winning her favor, Luke can rise within the system.
Blowing up the Death Star clearly had nothing to do with it.
But her position is fixed.
Well, she can't go any higher. Unless she turns to the Dark Side and takes over the galaxy. And, as I said, she does end up becoming a warrior/soldier type in ROTJ, so...your argument is invalid.
She is the prize which coerces men into joining the system.
Coerces?
Oh, the poor men, they just can't help themselves. She's so hot, she forces them to ... join her struggle against the Empire?
(I hadn't seen the author's name before I read. This was the point where I became convinced that he was a man.)
And she is the maternal figure who looks on approvingly while boys undergo their rites of initiation and become men.
Han might disagree with that assessment. In every conceivable way. (Boys? LOL) She's occasionally maternal with Luke, but not in the celebration scene -- they're all about the camaraderie and bffship there.
blah blah blah nothing worth refuting and then:
In STAR WARS, the relationships that Luke has with Ben Kenobi and Han Solo are much more important and rewarding than his relationship with Princess Leia.
Oh, really?
I fail to see how they're more important, since Luke's fixation on Leia drives a good portion of what he does - in ANH Han seems more affected by their relationship than the single-minded Luke. More rewarding? How? This is a paper. Evidence, please!
The sexual implications in that relationship
...He definitely hadn't seen ROTJ.
are undercut by Leia's maternal behavior to Luke
*whistles*
and the focusing of her romantic attention on the older Han Solo.
I'm not really sure how her attention focuses on Han. There are more sparks, sure. But she spends more time with Luke, and all of her overtures are directed at him; she seems decidedly ambivalent when Han winks at her.
Princess Leia is most attractive early in the film, when she functions inside this world of male camaraderie as one of the guys, and less attractive and interesting later as she takes on the female roles assigned to her.
...
...
...
That's right. She's cool enough when she's like a guy, but kind of sucks when she's all ~female~ and shit.
FEMINISM: UR DOIN IT WRONG.
A lot of the authors half-heartedly tried to take on sexism - and, I mean, I think there's lots of sexism in SW? Both in-story and in its construction? But things like this version of "feminist" crit makes my skin crawl.
For instance:
In the final scene, dressed in a décolleté gown, which symbolizes her role as a sexual prize
In what way is Leia a sexual prize? The closest thing to sex are some decidedly chaste kisses that she initiates. She isn't awarded to anyone; she gives awards to Han and Luke, in her capacity as ... y'know, HBIC?
And wearing *gasp* a low-cut gown doesn't symbolize sexual receptivity of any kind, asshat. Is he seriously saying that the mere fact of wearing a dress that doesn't go up to her chin makes her a prize? Oh no, she wears something that suggests she has breasts! So wrong! Look, that's not fighting sexism, that's fucking slut-shaming. It's like the proto-version of all the shit about how Padmé owed Anakin sex or something if she was going to go around in revealing black leather. No. Go away.
In case someone in the universe hasn't seen the scene, here's Leia the sexual prize.
This is an orgy.
she stands on the steps between her father at the top and the young heroes at the bottom, mediating the gap between them
Her...father?
what
how
I think someone would have noticed if Vader were at the celebration? And I didn't notice Bail Organa's ghost lurking around, either. Though I'll admit I'm cackling at the idea of Leia (1) mediating between Luke and Han on one hand and Vader on the other, or (2) bridging the gap between the world and the spirit world GUYS SHE'S THE AVATAR.
Anyway, in what way is she mediating between the Rebel leader that the author clearly didn't realize isn't her father and Luke and Han? Honestly, when does she ever mediate between anyone? It's not like she was "these are my daring rescuers, praise them," she just went, "we have no time for sorrows, Commander" and started issuing proclamations. She's heading the ceremony because she ... you know, heads the Rebellion? At the very least she's part of a wider leadership, at most she's the sole leader. In neither case does she function as an intermediary.
and mitigating the scene's overt militarism.
Not really? Honestly, her distinctly regal appearance (and initially, demeanour) in this scene just made it more militaristic, in a quasi-medieval way, as if they're being knighted by a queen. Then, of course, she and Luke exchange dorky grins and Han winks at her and she looks away and suddenly it's about the people and not the spectacle.
Her position in the system is clear. Her existence makes the rebel hierarchy a good hierarchy because she is a path to the top.
No. How does this make any sense? Leia IS the top. Even if you wanted to argue that Han "acquires" her in ROTJ, that doesn't put him at the top. Leia becomes a soldier, instead.
By winning her favor, Luke can rise within the system.
Blowing up the Death Star clearly had nothing to do with it.
But her position is fixed.
Well, she can't go any higher. Unless she turns to the Dark Side and takes over the galaxy. And, as I said, she does end up becoming a warrior/soldier type in ROTJ, so...your argument is invalid.
She is the prize which coerces men into joining the system.
Coerces?
Oh, the poor men, they just can't help themselves. She's so hot, she forces them to ... join her struggle against the Empire?
(I hadn't seen the author's name before I read. This was the point where I became convinced that he was a man.)
And she is the maternal figure who looks on approvingly while boys undergo their rites of initiation and become men.
Han might disagree with that assessment. In every conceivable way. (Boys? LOL) She's occasionally maternal with Luke, but not in the celebration scene -- they're all about the camaraderie and bffship there.
blah blah blah nothing worth refuting and then:
In STAR WARS, the relationships that Luke has with Ben Kenobi and Han Solo are much more important and rewarding than his relationship with Princess Leia.
Oh, really?
I fail to see how they're more important, since Luke's fixation on Leia drives a good portion of what he does - in ANH Han seems more affected by their relationship than the single-minded Luke. More rewarding? How? This is a paper. Evidence, please!
The sexual implications in that relationship
...He definitely hadn't seen ROTJ.
are undercut by Leia's maternal behavior to Luke
*whistles*
and the focusing of her romantic attention on the older Han Solo.
I'm not really sure how her attention focuses on Han. There are more sparks, sure. But she spends more time with Luke, and all of her overtures are directed at him; she seems decidedly ambivalent when Han winks at her.
Princess Leia is most attractive early in the film, when she functions inside this world of male camaraderie as one of the guys, and less attractive and interesting later as she takes on the female roles assigned to her.
...
...
...
That's right. She's cool enough when she's like a guy, but kind of sucks when she's all ~female~ and shit.
FEMINISM: UR DOIN IT WRONG.