Historically, women of the 50's have generally been represented in a manner that suggests they will do anything for the man that they long for. This includes changing their personalities or pushing themselves to the extreme. Although the 50's represents a time where women appear to mold themselves to the likings of men, they always seem to come out in the end with a new outlook or perspective. These characteristics are widely shown in many films, and written about in the articles and books of that time period. Three prime examples of this are shown in the films; Splendor in the Grass, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, and Rear Window. The main female characters in these films all have one thing in common; their seemingly ludicrous love for the character of the male lead.
Deanie, of Splendor in the Grass is a very confused young woman. She seeks the affection of her boyfriend Bud in terms of a sexual relationship, yet is afraid to fully go for it because of the cultural norm of that era. Throughout the movie, we are focused on her sexual desire, which mounts up until the ending of the movie. Deanie almost throws herself at Bud and he rejects her because she is not acting like herself. In a conversation from the movie;
Bud: Deanie, you're not yourself. Deanie, where's your pride?
Deanie: My pride? MY PRIDE!! (He slaps her face as she becomes hysterical.)...
Bud: Stop it, Deanie! (He shakes her to make her come to her senses.) Stop!
Deanie: Oh, God. I haven't any pride. I HAVEN'T ANY PRIDE!
Bud: Oh God, Deanie, what am I gonna do with you? (He hugs her.)
Deanie: I don't care what you do. I don't care what happens. I haven't any pride. I just want to die. I just want to die.
Deanie is obviously upset that she can only push herself onto him so much before losing herself completely, and when she comes to terms with this realization, she simply states that she wishes to die. She would do anything for Bud and because she can't have it, she is devastated.
Even though Deanie feels this way about herself and about Bud now, after a couple of years away she comes to the realization that her relationship with Bud was a learning experience and a thing of the past.
In the film; Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, the main character Nancy, is so head over heels for her husband Harry that she ends up acting like a complete nut throughout most of the movie. Although she knows that Harry is seeing another woman (Honey) she stands by his side, and tries desperately to get him to love her the way she loves him. Harry definitely underestimates her strength however, until Nancy becomes the 50 foot woman and goes after him, finally realizing how cruel he has been to her.
The way Nancy continuously throws herself at Harry would annoy most men. Even when Harry simply tried to put her to bed, she goes on and on about how much she loves him, though somewhere inside her knows he does not feel the same way towards her.
In the end, Harry ends up getting what he deserved in a way, and Nancy realizes how terrible of a husband he has actually been. She kills Honey, and Harry soon after, which could have been an act of vengeance, or an act of love; as one towns person stated, something along the lines of; "Now she'll have Harry all to herself forever."
When it comes to the movie Rear Window, the female lead here (Lisa) simply can't impress the man she wants, until she becomes more "dangerous." She goes so far during the film to impress him, yet he seems to notice none of it until she takes an interest in his habit of spying on the murderous neighbor. The way Lisa seduces him, and waits on him, and does everything she possibly can for him, while knowing he wont initially return her affections just goes to show how far she would go to feel accepted and wanted.
In the end however, Lisa ends up being a wonderful match for the male lead because he considers her to be less "perfect" and more edgy, dangerous, and interesting. This is such a huge difference from where Lisa was at during the beginning of the movie, when she only wanted to please him. After she takes an interest in his affairs, and becomes a more interesting and deep person herself, she becomes more desirable.
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2 comments:
I like the quote you picked to explain to Deanie's situation. You gave what was going on in the movies and the meanings (that you explain their actions). But I think you can try to relate these three women how they have in common or different. And I would suggest you to have a concludsion that talk about these 3 women/ movies (overall what you've type for your essay).
You undersell RW, but you do a really great job of addressing the other two films. You are the only one to include full dialogue and it helps make your point all the more strongly.
The intro is slightly robotic, but makes it's point by the thesis.
This needs a more definitive conclusion.
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