Pride and Prejudice Bechdel Test Analysis

After last week's readings, I took it upon myself to analyze my favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice (2005), to see if it passes the Bechdel Test. Pride and Prejudice, a classic literature novel by Jane Austen, is a story about the five Bennet sisters, in which Elizabeth Bennet meets Mr. Darcy and despite their pride and prejudice between different classes, they fall in love. To most people, this novel and movie seems to be entirely about the Bennet sisters trying to find a suitable man to marry, especially in the case of their crazed mother. Yet, I adored this movie for Elizabeth's independency to defy the feminine gender norms to be quiet, to be submissive to a man, etc. I especially love when she resists Mr. Collin's proposal!

After viewing scenes from the movie, in my opinion, Pride and Prejudice does pass the bechdel test. One example of this film passing the bechdel test is when two main female characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourg, converse over Elizabeth's upbringing, in which Lady Catherine criticizes Elizabeth for her mother's lack of guidance for Elizabeth's sisters. Elizabeth persists to express her own opinion, in which Lady Catherine is shocked by Elizabeth's outspokenness. These two characters are named in the movie and have a conversation about other topics than men. Though this movie does primarily focus on the topic of marriage and men, I think the movie also focuses on gender roles that has been engraved in our society for centuries and how Elizabeth chooses to be of her own person. Since we are reading about gender roles in how it is constructed in society, how do you think gender roles of Pride and Prejudice set in the 19th century compare to gender roles now? I like to think Elizabeth was a feminist of her time, even though she is a fictional character.

Here is the link to the clip of the scene between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth Bennet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yElIQDAEtOg

Nike Unleashes The Beast Sample Blog & Response

From Dr. Lowry

This poster from Nike’s “Unleash the Beast” ad campaign fits nicely with the chapter from Threshold Concepts on the social construction of gender. Football players are often depicted as the embodiment of masculinity (especially in Texas!), and this player is no different. In Nike’s take on the idea of extreme athletes as beasts, the football player charging down the field is surrounded by images of ferocious, menacing predators including bears, wolves, and tigers. I think the animal pictures shift the focus from the idea of a competitive, athletic masculinity to something more predatory. Launius and Hassel write, “violent masculinity is at the foundation of patriarchal culture, based on, as hooks states, ‘the belief that it is acceptable for a more powerful individual to control others through various forms of coercive force.’” In this picture, coercive force is valued and celebrated. I also think it’s interesting that the player in this ad is African American. On one hand, it’s a sign that African American athletes are valued as much as white athletes. On the other hand, it perpetuates the cultural stereotype of African American men as predatory and aggressive.

Blog #1: The Week in Feminism by Chelsea Stevens

http://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/news/a33303/the-week-in-feminism-amal-clooney-comes-to-america/

I recently discovered in article on Elle.com that is a series of “The Best and Worst of Feminism”. It documents events that occur each week that the author believes relates to feminism. It starts by explaining the positive events and moves to the negative. I had a hard time reading it with the inserted memes joking about both the positive and negative events. It seemed to take the seriousness of the events away and almost seemed to make the article comedic instead of serious. It’s hard to tell if they are doing this to attract more readers or because they don’t think it is a serious issue. With Elle being a top women’s magazine with a large audience, you would think they would want to present serious facts about the issue. While they bring up valid points, the slang dialog makes the author seem uneducated and uncaring about the topic. The bashing of Carly Fiorina also doesn’t sit well with me because I think that as women we should be supporting each other and not tearing each other down, let alone on the internet or millions to see. Interesting site that would be good to follow over the course of the class.

Nicole Lemmo

Hi y'all, my name is Nicole Lemmo. I am a senior social work major graduating in May. After graduation, I plan to move to North Carolina for grad school to get my Masters degree in social work. I have lived in a couple different states throughout my life, but currently my family lives in Southern California. I took this class to fill one of my credits, but more specifically, because I think the topic sounds interesting and I have always been interested in studying gender and related topics. I am looking forward to this semester!

Introduction- Lorena Estrada

Hello my name is Lorena Estrada. I am a major in nursing and chose to take this class to fulfill my core requisite and the name of the class sounded of my interest. I am excited to learn more about it.

Ivy Loper

Hello, my name is Ivy Loper. I am a sophomore from Ennis, Texas. I took this class because it sounded interesting and it fit in my schedule.

Hakyong

Hello, my name is Haky. I am a philosophy major in my junior year. I'm here because I want to talk about women's issues and am considering a minor.