Personal Response Paper Date: November 27th, 2023

Mediating America (BA) Session: 11

Name of Student: Nayrick Francisca

Title: Masculinity and Women in Classical Hollywood

Personal Reflection Paper WEEK 11

Barker (303) infers that “'Foucault's idea of practices of the self parallels developments in
feminist analysis of women's oppression that seek to avoid positing women as powerless
victims of patriarchal structures of domination” (qtd in McNay). Barker's deduction
concerning Foucault's notion of self-practices provides an entry point into the complex realm of
feminist discourse. A change towards a more empowering narrative is highlighted by the claim that
this concept is similar to feminist interpretations of women's oppression, especially in not reducing
women to the status of simple victims of patriarchal structures. It supports women's agency in
forming their identities and negotiating repressive systems, supporting the demand of the larger
feminist movement for a more thorough comprehension of women's roles in society. Furthermore,
“the sexual aggressiveness of the femme fatale mirrored an America that was becoming more
open about its sexuality in the postwar years” (Benshoff and Griffin 236). By delving into the
sexual aggressiveness of the femme fatale in postwar America, a distinct but interconnected theme
emerges. Here, the femme fatale becomes a cultural symbol reflecting and, perhaps, influencing
societal attitudes toward sexuality. The postwar era, marked by shifting norms and a growing
openness about sexuality, serves as a backdrop for the emergence of this provocative archetype.
Therefore, cultural depictions of the femme fatale resonate with the theoretical foundations of
feminist analysis, which place a strong focus on agency and resistance. The complicated dance of
power and desire that the femme fatale dances while navigating and challenging conventional
expectations is reflected in the portrayal of women as more than just victims. Furthermore, the
femme fatale turns into a cultural relic that captures the spirit of postwar America, when social
views on sexuality were undergoing a radical metamorphosis. How do the way women are shown
in movies or cultural symbols challenge or support the idea that women can be powerful and
make choices for themselves?

Bibliography

Barker, Chris , "Sex, Subjectivity, and Representation," Cultural Studies, 2012 (289-315).

Benshoff, Harry M. and Griffin, Sean , America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and
Sexuality at the Movies. Blackwell Publishing. 2009/21. (Chapter 10 and 12).