The Feminist Filter: Anne
Let's start off S3, shall we?
*waits for norwie2010*
Mission Statement:
This series is intended to outline the feminist text of each episode so as to provoke and encourage open discussion. It's not so much about making value judgments about events and/or characters but about analyzing the series from a feminist framework so as to see what patterns and themes emerge.
Rules:
1. If you do not consider yourself a feminist or do not see the point of dissecting a TV show from a feminist perspective, this is not the meta series for you. I don't mean this in a hostile way, however the intended audience of this series is feminists who want to turn a critical eye to the show.
2. This meta series is written well beyond a 101 level of feminism. If you are new to feminism, I ask that you please take a look at this blog for an introduction to concepts that will be discussed heavily here.
3. If you begin to feel yourself getting defensive on behalf of a character (or the show), take a break from commenting. The outlines as posted are not meant to condemn either the characters or the show, but to contextualize the dialogue and events within the patriarchal cultural in which they reside.
4. BtVS is a constructed media. The characters are not actual people but are written, dressed, and directed by a team of outsiders. Criticizing a character for, say, having sex could be a sexist insult or it could be a legitimate criticism of the writers who chose to go that route with the storyline. There are nuances here when discussing a television show, and I ask that everybody be careful about exactly what's being discussed. A couple helpful terms are Watsonian and Doylist. "Watsonian" indicates that the discussion is taking place within the Buffy universe as if the characters are real people. "Doylist" indicates that the discussion is focused on the construction of the narrative and, as such, deals with the decisions of the writers and/or producers.
5. The key goal here is open discussion. I'm not presenting you guys with any brilliant insights; I'm just laying out what's in the episode. Feel free to discuss or disagree with me and others. Also feel free to answer other commenter's questions. The comment section is an open floor.
3.01 Anne
I. The Tallies
Criteria for Bechdel Check: The episode must have a) two women in it b) who talk to each other c) about something besides a man.
II. Agency
Criteria for Agency: Do the female characters a) exert power or influence over the plot b) through decisions based on their own characterization? Agency means more than providing information or support that helps the (usually male) characters resolve the conflict.
The Plot: While in LA, Buffy gets caught up in a demon's scheme to take homeless people and use them as slaves. Meanwhile, the Scoobies try to manage without Buffy.
The Big Question:
If Buffy were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? No
If Willow were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
If Cordelia were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
If Lily were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? No
If Joyce were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
If the Nurse were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
III. The Feminist Fine-Toothed Comb
Criteria: Do any of the characters engage in sexist dialogue or action, whether overt or subtle? Does it receive an explicit rebuke or does it pass uncommented on? Further, what can be deduced from the various gendered comments that are made by the characters?
IV. Objectification Watch
V. Points to Consider
This entry was originally posted at http://gabrielleabelle.dreamwidth.org/370924.html. There are
comments on the DW side. Comments are welcome on either side. Due to massive SPAM issues on LJ, anon comments are only on the DW side.
*waits for norwie2010*
Mission Statement:
This series is intended to outline the feminist text of each episode so as to provoke and encourage open discussion. It's not so much about making value judgments about events and/or characters but about analyzing the series from a feminist framework so as to see what patterns and themes emerge.
Rules:
1. If you do not consider yourself a feminist or do not see the point of dissecting a TV show from a feminist perspective, this is not the meta series for you. I don't mean this in a hostile way, however the intended audience of this series is feminists who want to turn a critical eye to the show.
2. This meta series is written well beyond a 101 level of feminism. If you are new to feminism, I ask that you please take a look at this blog for an introduction to concepts that will be discussed heavily here.
3. If you begin to feel yourself getting defensive on behalf of a character (or the show), take a break from commenting. The outlines as posted are not meant to condemn either the characters or the show, but to contextualize the dialogue and events within the patriarchal cultural in which they reside.
4. BtVS is a constructed media. The characters are not actual people but are written, dressed, and directed by a team of outsiders. Criticizing a character for, say, having sex could be a sexist insult or it could be a legitimate criticism of the writers who chose to go that route with the storyline. There are nuances here when discussing a television show, and I ask that everybody be careful about exactly what's being discussed. A couple helpful terms are Watsonian and Doylist. "Watsonian" indicates that the discussion is taking place within the Buffy universe as if the characters are real people. "Doylist" indicates that the discussion is focused on the construction of the narrative and, as such, deals with the decisions of the writers and/or producers.
5. The key goal here is open discussion. I'm not presenting you guys with any brilliant insights; I'm just laying out what's in the episode. Feel free to discuss or disagree with me and others. Also feel free to answer other commenter's questions. The comment section is an open floor.
3.01 Anne
I. The Tallies
Criteria for Bechdel Check: The episode must have a) two women in it b) who talk to each other c) about something besides a man.
- Bechdel Check: PASS on 9 counts
- Deaths:
Dead boys: 1
Dead girls: 0
II. Agency
Criteria for Agency: Do the female characters a) exert power or influence over the plot b) through decisions based on their own characterization? Agency means more than providing information or support that helps the (usually male) characters resolve the conflict.
The Plot: While in LA, Buffy gets caught up in a demon's scheme to take homeless people and use them as slaves. Meanwhile, the Scoobies try to manage without Buffy.
The Big Question:
If Buffy were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? No
If Willow were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
If Cordelia were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
If Lily were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? No
If Joyce were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
If the Nurse were taken out of this episode, would events occur in much the same fashion? Yes
- Decisive Buffy: Buffy leads the plot, first with her refusal to get involved with Lily, then with her 180 as she takes the mission on.
- Decisive Lily: Lily takes a turn as the unknowing victim as she falls into Ken's machinations. However, she later fights back against Ken by pushing him off the ledge, helping Buffy.
III. The Feminist Fine-Toothed Comb
Criteria: Do any of the characters engage in sexist dialogue or action, whether overt or subtle? Does it receive an explicit rebuke or does it pass uncommented on? Further, what can be deduced from the various gendered comments that are made by the characters?
- Protagonists (Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia, Oz, and Joyce)
1. In the teaser, Willow refers to the vampire as "Big Boy". This is an oddly gendered phrase with an added sexual implication: "Come and get it, Big Boy."
- The Rest (Lily, Rickie, Roughnecks)
1. While Buffy's waitressing, the Roughnecks at one of the tables harass her sexually. They refer to her as "Peaches", and when she tells them to pay at the counter, one asks: "Sure you don't want me to work it off for you?"
As she's leaving the table, one slaps her butt.
IV. Objectification Watch
- In the teaser, Willow is given the power shot usually reserved for Buffy. This consists of a slow-pan up her body.
- There is a shot of Cordelia entering the Bronze from Xander's viewpoint as he contemplates using her as bait.
V. Points to Consider
- Rickie has a very paternalistic relationship with Lily. He makes decisions for her (getting pie instead of cake) and chooses her name. Indeed, when Rickie disappears, Lily laments: "He takes care of me."
What do we make of this relationship from a feminist viewpoint? How does the show handle it?
- The communist allegory is strong in this episode with the workers' uprising and the sickle symbolism. What's the message of this allegory and how does it tie in with feminism?
- Near the end, we get this:
Buffy: Hey, Ken, wanna see my impression of Gandhi?
She wields back the club and brings it down hard onto his head, crushing his skull. Lily comes up behind her and looks at him squeamishly.
Lily: Gandhi?
Buffy: Well, you know, if he was really pissed off.
Does this act as a commentary on peaceful protest as regards social movements?
This entry was originally posted at http://gabrielleabelle.dreamwidth.org/370924.html. There are
comments on the DW side. Comments are welcome on either side. Due to massive SPAM issues on LJ, anon comments are only on the DW side.