Matching Items (2)
Description
This thesis seeks to understand how the film Legally Blonde has portrayed the interaction between femininity and women. Specifically, this paper will consider how feminism—defined through the context of the era and Legally Blonde—has empowered women to enter male-dominated professional workspaces—specifically in consideration of the legal profession. The feminism presented in Legally Blonde can be characterized through Elle Wood’s simultaneous displays of intelligence and focus on typical feminine interests: such as marriage, cosmetics, and the like (Marsh, 2005; Lucia, 2005; Hoffman-Longtin & Feldner, 2016). The “third-wave” feminist era surrounding Legally Blonde promotes the duality of women in expressing femininity and holding agentic capability (Dole, 2008). This thesis uses the film’s definition of feminism to consider the changes in women entering the legal profession, the identity of women who connect to the film, and the media’s responses and portrayal of the film. Legally Blonde defines feminism by presenting women as both intelligent and typically feminine—challenging the typical gender role of women in society with her expression of capability and seriousness. While the film elucidates a definition of feminism based on femininity and female agency, some women may not fit into this definition based on the lack of consideration of intersectionality in the film. While the film underlines a changing shift in acceptance of women’s expression of femininity, the film’s message may not apply to all women. Yet, Elle Woods remains a role model for many women to attend law school and her impact is emphasized in popular culture even today.
ContributorsBoucher, Nicole S (Author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Szeli, Eva (Committee member) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Blending the theoretical foundations of gendered political socialization (Bos et. al 2021) with the distinct communication patterns observed between male and female justices on the United States Supreme Court (Schweers & Jacobi, 2017).– this participant observer study seeks to analyze the mechanisms of gendered communication within a unique population of men and women– law students. Throughout this study, I explore the mechanisms that dictate gendered ambition levels within a group of highly ambitious individuals. Additionally, I examine gendered communication patterns and the impact of digital safe spaces in the classroom setting. On the whole, I aim to investigate gendered communication levels within the microcosm of the law school environment to gain a more realistic and granular understanding of the interplay between ambition and gender in the field of law. Overall, I find that women are disproportionately interrupted by men in an attempt to maintain male hegemony, ultimately stifling female voices in the classroom. While the creation of safe spaces for women can begin to mitigate the negative downstream effects of interruption, womens’ ideas, and ultimately female agency, is negatively affected by repeated patterns of male behavior.
ContributorsAverill, Zoe (Author) / Lennon, Tara (Thesis director) / Woodall, Gina (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor)
Created2023-12