Feminism - Task 5

Feminism - Task 5

'We can do it' propaganda styled poster

Introduction

Feminism is a belief and movement in which that in political, social and economic terms, women are seen as equals to men, and to establish having the same rights that men have also. Feminist (s) is a person who advocates and supports the movement of feminism and women's rights. 
Many feminists today see and know women as strong, and independent people, with there own life and mindset, which then this encourages to support and change the rights for women in todays society. And from that, the act and movement of feminism has helped change laws and have a much more balanced wavelength between women and men, in terms of equality.

The History

The history of feminism dates back to 3 individual 'waves'. The first wave of feminism goes back to the 19th & 20th centuries in which during this time, feminists at this point focused on quashing laws in which would make women equal, in which particularly women suffering during this time. Then onto the second wave of feminism, feminists then acted on cultural differences and inequalities and how the role of women in society where portrayed as. This was between the time of the 1960's to the 80's. And the third wave, which from the 90's to present day carries on in which the second wave wanted to do, and to work on getting the balance of equality for women in society.

Famous Feminists & their beliefs

Their have been many feminists throughout the ages, dating back all the way to the 12th century, leading up to our own modern day society. Without the leading and backing from the past and present feminists, the movement would not be where it is today without the progress made from past feminists, and the many endeavours in which will be made by modern day feminists now.

Marie de France (Past Feminist)
Marie de France, possibly being born in France, but lived in England during the late 12th Century, was a feminist and also being a medieval poet. Not much is known about her during her lifetime, but she was a pioneer toward the romance genre of poetry, plays, etc. 

Marie de France

But during her time, one of her most notable pieces of work which links in toward feminism and the movement of it was the poem 'Lanval'. It is a feminist romance set in medieval England. To show feminism and also the inequality of women during the period of time she was in, she uses the relationship between the protagonists 'Lanval' and the' Faerie Queen' as a way to bring in the topics of both love and gender to show how women can be equal to men, in terms of sexual, emotional, physical and mental ways. 




Ellen Page (Modern day Feminist) 

Ellen Page

Ellen Page is a Canadian actress born in February 21st, 1987, who is one of many 'third wave' feminists in todays society. Apart from being an actress being in many films and also being quite a decorated actress in terms of awards and being in many well acclaimed films, she stands up towards her beliefs around feminism and the movement.

She as an individual to help feminism, and promote the movement, she wants to change the way people think about feminism and why so many people disregard the word 'feminism' and think the word relates to something else other than what it actual means and revolves around. Here is a quote from Ellen linking toward feminism:

'It's how you're treated, it's how you're looked at, how you're expected to look in a photoshoot, it's how you're expected to shut up and not have an opinion, it's how you - if you're a girl and don't fit the very specific vision of what a girl should be, which is always from a man's perspective, then you're at a little bit at a loss. There are moments when you are encouraged to dress a certain way. But I can't. It just erodes my soul. That's no criticism to girls who can wear a tiny dress and kill it - that's awesome. People always attribute being a feminist to hating girls being sexual and that's not it at all. I'm just not into it.''


Laura Mulvey 'The Male Gaze' Theory
Laura Mulvey is a British film feminist theorist. The term 'Male Gaze' is a term and theory she first thought up in 1975. She believes that in how we view certain things in film, we see it in a heterosexual male perspective. In linking it into feminism, it can be seen in 3 different perspectives, being: How men look at women, how women look at themselves and how women look at other women. 

Laura Mulvey

From this, the theory also suggests that it only focuses on women's curve and events that happen to them during a scene and a whole film in particular are portrayed only at a male angle. Also, she states and argues that sexism can also be presented during this also. People are made to look at women in advertising that sexualises a women's body even when it is unrelated to the product featured or shown.

Here is a video from Scouting for girls 'She's so lovely' which shows the theory in play.



Representation of Women in Music Magazines

From overlooking the lesson, I will use what I have learned to analyse the front cover of a magazine, with this being the cover of NME with the picture of Beth Ditto as the cover photo. 

Analysis
From analysing the magazine, the representation of women, particularly Beth Ditto in this case being the main part of the magazine in this issue shows how she does not care for her own appearance and that women should not care about how they look like to others, in this case men. She looks like she is empowered by how she is, and nothing will change her. NME has not tried to win male buyers of the magazine for this, with the cover photo shown, as a many people would buy a magazine for its cover. Feminists would support this as it shows how Beth is not given in to any representations of women, and is strictly being her self as a women, and being empowered by who she is.