Gender and Media

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HKU SPACE Community College

Associate Degree

Second Semester 2004 – 2005

Gender and Media

Second Individual Essay

Topic 1: Discuss whether or not SHREK 2 contributes to the reproduction and legitimization of the subordinate position of women.

From: Lin Ka Chuen, Maggie (10297703)

Class: 238-07

Submission Date: 3 May 05

Number of Words: 999

SHREK 2

Media representations tend to highlight the binary opposition which often depicts female as negative inferior and male as positive superior in the hierarchically arranged modern society (Shaughnessy, Stadler. 2002). By repetition, the media can naturalize the subordinate representation of women that no other interpretation is possible, thus leading to the legitimization of masculinity and denigration of femininity (Rayner, Wall & Kruger. P83). Male, or even female, unconsciously accept this subordinate femininity as both natural and inevitable and in some way correct. The film – Shrek 2 – although attempted to challenge the tradition stereotype of female in a male hegemonic society, its success was limited. The film actually helped reproducing and legitimizing the dominant position of men and the subordinate position of women.

The film attempted to challenge the dominating position of hegemonic masculinity. The fairy god mother played an important role in gaining superior position for female. She was a single mother, who owns the biggest magic company and supports her own family financially. She has the power over her employees and the king. Her intelligence was demonstrated by the number of books she read, and the plans she carried out in separating Shrek and Fiona. She was not seen in a domestic situation or as partners to men, thus tried to obtain a superior position over male. Furthermore, Fiona showed her dominated position in making the last decision of what kind of happiness she wanted. Although the Fairy Godmother Song stated that girl need to be pretty in order to attract a prince, “I'll make you fancy, I'll make you great! The kind of girl a prince would date” (see appendix I), Fiona, without beautiful outlook and definitely not a sex object of men, could also obtain a happy ending with her prince. On the other hand, the king was depicted as a passive follower of the fairy. A lack of masculinity in both Puss and Prince Charming, which it vomited hair ball during combat and he concentrated in his own external beauty respectively. Therefore, the film successfully challenged the stereotype and subordinate position of women to a certain extent.

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Male domination was inevitable and legitimate that reinforced the idea of male hegemony. Masculinity means having both physical and social power, over both public and private (Shaughnessy, Stadler. 2002). For example, Shrek was powerful and strong that he fought against the soldier and the fairy. He also dominated the decision making process that he was the one to choose drinking the portion or not. Shrek also showed his rationality over emotions that he did not cry throughout the film (Shaughnessy, Stadler. 2002). Moreover, after Donkey became a father, he said “I should find a job”, which implied he was ...

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