Females of Futurama
For my first analysis, I would like to look at the roles of the female characters on Futurama. This show in particular has in interesting presentation of females. Every male character in Futurama is in one or more ways a complete idiot or waste. The females, on the other hand, are almost universally at least of above average intelligence and competence.
First and foremost is Turanga Leela. Leela, as she is known, is the captain of the Planet Express Delivery Ship. She also serves as the rare voice of sensibility and reason in the outrageous adventures of the rest of the crew and other characters. Her on again/off again romance with Phillip J. Fry is one of the primary storylines of the show, and is an interesting example in the dominant-submissive relationship. Leela is completely dominant in their relationship, even when it is not officially a romantic one. This dominance is apparent in most of her relationships with other characters, even her parents. Leela often saves the rest of the crew from their own incompetence, although she has made numerous mistakes herself, most of them related to her attempts to find love and companionship. She could be said to represent the aspect of womanhood that attempts to control and shape the situation through social means, either by cajoling her crew into doing their jobs, or showing her sensitive side when she feels safe.
The second most important female in Futurama is Dr. Amy Wong. Amy is officially Professor Farnsworth's intern, but she seems to actually fulfill a multitude of roles. While she is frequently portrayed as clumsy, ditsy and highly promiscuous, Amy also provides critical insights at times, and often helps rein in the Professor's out of control inventions and schemes. It could be argued that Amy represents the sensual, wild side of femininity, but also maintains a shrewdness that is belied by her naive and sexually forward exterior.
The third and final female of major significance is Mom, the great villian behind the scenes. Mom presents a pleasant face to society, but behind closed doors she is shown as conniving, evil, violent and cruel. In many ways one could say that she represents the majority of the negative presentations of women in modern society, using whatever means are at her disposal to acquire what she wants, damned be the consequences to anyone else.
Together, these three characters can be argued to represent the whole character of womanhood as a general concept, with their own interactions showing how most women are often internally conflicted over the choices they are presented with in their lives.
Then again, most people would say that it is just a cartoon, and doesn't bear that must introspection.
First and foremost is Turanga Leela. Leela, as she is known, is the captain of the Planet Express Delivery Ship. She also serves as the rare voice of sensibility and reason in the outrageous adventures of the rest of the crew and other characters. Her on again/off again romance with Phillip J. Fry is one of the primary storylines of the show, and is an interesting example in the dominant-submissive relationship. Leela is completely dominant in their relationship, even when it is not officially a romantic one. This dominance is apparent in most of her relationships with other characters, even her parents. Leela often saves the rest of the crew from their own incompetence, although she has made numerous mistakes herself, most of them related to her attempts to find love and companionship. She could be said to represent the aspect of womanhood that attempts to control and shape the situation through social means, either by cajoling her crew into doing their jobs, or showing her sensitive side when she feels safe.
The second most important female in Futurama is Dr. Amy Wong. Amy is officially Professor Farnsworth's intern, but she seems to actually fulfill a multitude of roles. While she is frequently portrayed as clumsy, ditsy and highly promiscuous, Amy also provides critical insights at times, and often helps rein in the Professor's out of control inventions and schemes. It could be argued that Amy represents the sensual, wild side of femininity, but also maintains a shrewdness that is belied by her naive and sexually forward exterior.
The third and final female of major significance is Mom, the great villian behind the scenes. Mom presents a pleasant face to society, but behind closed doors she is shown as conniving, evil, violent and cruel. In many ways one could say that she represents the majority of the negative presentations of women in modern society, using whatever means are at her disposal to acquire what she wants, damned be the consequences to anyone else.
Together, these three characters can be argued to represent the whole character of womanhood as a general concept, with their own interactions showing how most women are often internally conflicted over the choices they are presented with in their lives.
Then again, most people would say that it is just a cartoon, and doesn't bear that must introspection.