Journal Article Analysis:
Frustrating Female Heroism: Mixed Messages in Xena, Nikita, and Buffy
Jennifer Mullins
HUMN 341
Mrs. Elizabeth Nixon
January 25, 2009
In my analysis of the journal article Frustrating Female Heroism: Mixed Messages in Xena, Nikita, and Buffy I found myself realizing what a feminist I am. This article was a very in-depth critique of these very average shows. I have only seen these shows collectively maybe a half dozen times but the critique was done in such a way to really create the scene for the reader.
Xena: Warrior Princess was analyzed first. In the show, Xena fights physically with evil combatants as well as romantic partners. This seems to be one of the reasons this heroin was selected for this analysis. The author appears to look negatively on the character having a strong will while also exhibiting a sense of sexuality. I think that is what makes women beautiful and separate from men. Being able to be both of these things at the same time is something that I think women hope to achieve. What is wrong with women being both? The author writes about how all of these characters are controlled and formed by men. “Men give them their strength, help them to channel whatever power they have, and are always lurking, either as potential lovers, as controlling father figures or bosses, as potential threats, or sometimes all three at once.” (Magoulick, 2006, p. 735) Let’s be honest. Xena is a television show that was a spin-off of the show Hercules; so, yes, she was technically formed by a man. The rest of the statement made by the author is not so far from reality. Does anyone have a controlling father? How about a lurking potential lover? Male boss? Is anything here really that extreme other than the fact she is fighting them off with an enormous sword? Not really.
The author then unleashes on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. For starters, for those who don’t know, Buffy was a teenage vampire slayer. A female, teenage slayer – enough said. The author tells of a series of events throughout a couple of seasons. To summarize, Buffy meets a boy – actually a vampire; she then has her first sexual experience with him; he then becomes evil because she had sex with him. Again, this is not really all that far reaching from reality.
As with Xena, the only thing that seems out of touch with reality with Buffy is the fact that she is piercing the hearts of her enemies with a wooden stake.
The show Nikita, as strange as it sounds, is the most realistic show of all three. For me, that makes the analysis of Nikita the most justifiable. Sure the whole unwilling secret assassin thing is something none of us will ever experience, but it happens. Right? I suppose that the world of covert assassins is more of a man’s world but since Nikita was sort of thrown into it then it makes sense that she’s the odd-man (person) out. A woman in a man’s world. The author points out that these heroes are too often obsessed with or dominated by men. (Magoulick, 2006, p. 741). This happens all the time in the real world. What makes the show a success is that she picks herself back up, dusts herself off and moves on and is stronger for her experience. I think the show is what women want to see. It’s real to some extent but yet she has the strength that women in abusive situations would love to have.
I must admit that I found myself chuckling throughout this entire article. I don’t find any of this offensive or demeaning. It’s entertainment. Some people like to watch fools embarrassing themselves on reality shows, others enjoy a good mystery or even a slapstick comedy show. Some enjoy watching a beautiful, sexy female take a stand against evil.
References
Magoulick, Mary. (2006) Frustrating female heroism: Mixed messages in Xena, Nikita, and Buffy. The Journal of Popular Culture. Volume 39. Issue 5. p. 729-755. Retrieved from OhioLink EJC.
Schulian, John (Creator). (1995-2001) Xena: Princess Warrior (Television broadcast). New Zealand, United State: Broadcast syndicate.
Surnow, Joel (Creator). (1997-2001) La Femme Nikita (Television broadcast). Canada: USA Network.
Whedon, Joss (Creator). (1997-2003) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Television broadcast). United States: The WB Television Network.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis #5
Weekly Written Analysis #5
I am rather excited to blog this week because it is a fun topic. What am I talking about? Animated movies. I think my kids have seen every new animated movie that has come out in the past 5 years. They are great for today’s families who strive to keep traditional family values integrated into their homes. The movies are easy for parents to enjoy and the kids absolutely love them. These are very ingenious ideas by movie producers as well.
The clever things about these movies are they are geared for children but always seem to have some adult humor in them to keep the interest of the parents. Now I am not talking about anything raunchy, but just subtleties to give the parents the feeling that it is okay to watch the movies without even having any children nearby.
Children love these movies because of the prime advancements that technology has brought to the big screens with digital enhancements. These characters feel real to them in some sense because they don’t look like cartoons. They don’t move like cartoons and even the characters voices are far better than in years past.
With the new craze in animated characters came the mass marketing of those characters. They are everywhere. You see them on clothes, at fast food restaurants, toys, books, dishes, diapers, pencils, etc. You name and you can find an animated character on it. This is probably why movie networks are so involved in creating these movies now. The amount of money that is made after the release of the movie probably far out paces what revenues were 20-years ago. Which leads to the only downside I can see and that is that there is now an over abundance of animated movies. There are so many, in fact, that story lines are apparently becoming more difficult to come up with because the stories seem to be repeated more frequently lately. However, these movies are always a good family trip to the movies or even a popcorn night at home. Parents, don’t be afraid to sit down and watch one alone either.
I am rather excited to blog this week because it is a fun topic. What am I talking about? Animated movies. I think my kids have seen every new animated movie that has come out in the past 5 years. They are great for today’s families who strive to keep traditional family values integrated into their homes. The movies are easy for parents to enjoy and the kids absolutely love them. These are very ingenious ideas by movie producers as well.
The clever things about these movies are they are geared for children but always seem to have some adult humor in them to keep the interest of the parents. Now I am not talking about anything raunchy, but just subtleties to give the parents the feeling that it is okay to watch the movies without even having any children nearby.
Children love these movies because of the prime advancements that technology has brought to the big screens with digital enhancements. These characters feel real to them in some sense because they don’t look like cartoons. They don’t move like cartoons and even the characters voices are far better than in years past.
With the new craze in animated characters came the mass marketing of those characters. They are everywhere. You see them on clothes, at fast food restaurants, toys, books, dishes, diapers, pencils, etc. You name and you can find an animated character on it. This is probably why movie networks are so involved in creating these movies now. The amount of money that is made after the release of the movie probably far out paces what revenues were 20-years ago. Which leads to the only downside I can see and that is that there is now an over abundance of animated movies. There are so many, in fact, that story lines are apparently becoming more difficult to come up with because the stories seem to be repeated more frequently lately. However, these movies are always a good family trip to the movies or even a popcorn night at home. Parents, don’t be afraid to sit down and watch one alone either.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis 42
Weekly Written Analysis #4
When I first started thinking of a popular culture topic I thought of the movie series Harry Potter. I can’t speak to that, though, because I have never seen it. I thought of numerous movies with similar passion from its audiences and then it occurred to me…….sequels. I found sequels all the way back to the 1930s and as new as this year with Saw VI.
As a viewer, I can say for myself that sequels appeal to me because there is some familiarity and not as much uncertainty. I know the characters and the general story line. I also think that, for the most part, if a viewer enjoyed the first movie then sequel(s) usually contains a similar level of satisfaction for the viewer. These are just generalities though. For some, the familiarity may be just plain boring if new characters are not introduced and the sequel isn’t always as good as the first time around.
For writers, producers and the like, it is most likely easier to go with something that they know works; hence, making a killing on the profits…..again. Consider using the same cast, similar storylines and ideas and they have pretty small task at hand. It’s also likely that they may get bored and become uncreative as a result.
None of these downfalls to sequels seem to stop them from filling the theaters year after year. There are five each of Rocky and Jaws movies; six Saw thrillers; three The Lord of the Rings; and a whopping seven Harry Potter movies. (Wikipedia, 2009) This is just a minute list of recent sequels. The idea of a sequel is something that excites audiences as though they are a part of something. They will continue to define our culture as people hang onto the edge of their seats and await the next in the line of sequels.
References:
Sequel. (2009) Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequels on January 31, 2009.
When I first started thinking of a popular culture topic I thought of the movie series Harry Potter. I can’t speak to that, though, because I have never seen it. I thought of numerous movies with similar passion from its audiences and then it occurred to me…….sequels. I found sequels all the way back to the 1930s and as new as this year with Saw VI.
As a viewer, I can say for myself that sequels appeal to me because there is some familiarity and not as much uncertainty. I know the characters and the general story line. I also think that, for the most part, if a viewer enjoyed the first movie then sequel(s) usually contains a similar level of satisfaction for the viewer. These are just generalities though. For some, the familiarity may be just plain boring if new characters are not introduced and the sequel isn’t always as good as the first time around.
For writers, producers and the like, it is most likely easier to go with something that they know works; hence, making a killing on the profits…..again. Consider using the same cast, similar storylines and ideas and they have pretty small task at hand. It’s also likely that they may get bored and become uncreative as a result.
None of these downfalls to sequels seem to stop them from filling the theaters year after year. There are five each of Rocky and Jaws movies; six Saw thrillers; three The Lord of the Rings; and a whopping seven Harry Potter movies. (Wikipedia, 2009) This is just a minute list of recent sequels. The idea of a sequel is something that excites audiences as though they are a part of something. They will continue to define our culture as people hang onto the edge of their seats and await the next in the line of sequels.
References:
Sequel. (2009) Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequels on January 31, 2009.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis #3
I am really beginning to like this weekly assignment. It is fun to think of things in a way that I never have before. For example, Post-it Notes*. I never would have thought of Post-it Notes a popular culture topic but it sure fits. I cannot quite figure out which category it would fit into but I think it fits.
Post-it Notes are everywhere. They are in offices, schools, homes and you can find them in concession stands, movie theaters, and most anywhere that human beings find themselves. They are one of those inventions that make you think “Why didn’t I think of that”; when in fact, the Post-it Note was an accidental invention. A man names Spencer Silver was trying to develop a stronger adhesive for at which he failed. He did not discard the adhesive and so four years later a man named Arthur Fry got the idea in Sunday church to use it for keeping paper stuck to a surface. (2006, The Great Idea Finder).
They have so many purposes. My son uses them to help stay organized in school. I use them to conserve paper. I would rather jot down 50 little notes that can be strategically placed where I will need them as opposed to a bunch of gigantic legal pad sized pieces of paper cluttering up my desk. Around the house they are used for reminders of things to take or pick up throughout the day.
I would bet that there is just a small portion of the public that has not used Post-it Notes at least once in their life. If you haven’t then you don’t know what you are missing. They are convenient and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Best of all they are cheap! This 1974 accidental invention was one that will live in infamy I am sure.
References
(2008) Post-it Notes History. Retrieved on January 25, 2009 from website http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/postit.htm
*Post-it Notes is a registered trademark of 3M
Post-it Notes are everywhere. They are in offices, schools, homes and you can find them in concession stands, movie theaters, and most anywhere that human beings find themselves. They are one of those inventions that make you think “Why didn’t I think of that”; when in fact, the Post-it Note was an accidental invention. A man names Spencer Silver was trying to develop a stronger adhesive for at which he failed. He did not discard the adhesive and so four years later a man named Arthur Fry got the idea in Sunday church to use it for keeping paper stuck to a surface. (2006, The Great Idea Finder).
They have so many purposes. My son uses them to help stay organized in school. I use them to conserve paper. I would rather jot down 50 little notes that can be strategically placed where I will need them as opposed to a bunch of gigantic legal pad sized pieces of paper cluttering up my desk. Around the house they are used for reminders of things to take or pick up throughout the day.
I would bet that there is just a small portion of the public that has not used Post-it Notes at least once in their life. If you haven’t then you don’t know what you are missing. They are convenient and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Best of all they are cheap! This 1974 accidental invention was one that will live in infamy I am sure.
References
(2008) Post-it Notes History. Retrieved on January 25, 2009 from website http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/postit.htm
*Post-it Notes is a registered trademark of 3M
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis #2
Weekly Written Analysis #2
Green, green, green...............You hear it and see it everywhere. Fortunately, it has started to payoff for the average person. I'm talking about hybrids. The Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hyrid and the list goes on and on. There is a wide range of fuel-efficient vehicles such as flex-fuel, hydrogen and electric vehicles; however, hybrids have become increasingly popular in the past five to ten years due to tax incentives and increasingly high gasoline prices.
Foreign automakers have always been the leader in alternative fuel vehicles. Some people may remember the old Volkswagens that could be plugged in. I'm not really sure why the American auto industry has been so slow to catch on but they seem to see the writing on the wall now. A new plug-in is now in the planning stages at Chevrolet that is not available to the public as of yet.
There are other types of hybrids that are currently available such as mild and full hybrids. Mild hybrids use the electric motor and battery to assist the gasoline system. Full hybrids use the electric motor and battery independent of the gasoline system or in conjunction with it. All of these are viable options the standard fuel systems that are in today's vehicles.
As I mentioned, there are tax incentives for purchasing hybrids. Some of them are for the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner 2WD Hybrids there is a $3,000 tax credit. Those same models in the 4WD have tax credits available for $1,950. Between these credits and the savings in gasoline anyone could see why these are becoming a hot commodity.
References
How Hybrids Work. (2009). Retrieved on January 18, 2009 from http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/hybridvehicles/a/howhybridswork.htm
Current Hybrids. (2009). Retrieved on January 18, 2009 from http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/hybridvehicles/a/currenthybrids.htm
Hybrid Tax Credits. (2009). Retrieved on January 18, 2009 from http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/hybridvehicles/a/hybridtaxcredits.htm
Green, green, green...............You hear it and see it everywhere. Fortunately, it has started to payoff for the average person. I'm talking about hybrids. The Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hyrid and the list goes on and on. There is a wide range of fuel-efficient vehicles such as flex-fuel, hydrogen and electric vehicles; however, hybrids have become increasingly popular in the past five to ten years due to tax incentives and increasingly high gasoline prices.
Foreign automakers have always been the leader in alternative fuel vehicles. Some people may remember the old Volkswagens that could be plugged in. I'm not really sure why the American auto industry has been so slow to catch on but they seem to see the writing on the wall now. A new plug-in is now in the planning stages at Chevrolet that is not available to the public as of yet.
There are other types of hybrids that are currently available such as mild and full hybrids. Mild hybrids use the electric motor and battery to assist the gasoline system. Full hybrids use the electric motor and battery independent of the gasoline system or in conjunction with it. All of these are viable options the standard fuel systems that are in today's vehicles.
As I mentioned, there are tax incentives for purchasing hybrids. Some of them are for the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner 2WD Hybrids there is a $3,000 tax credit. Those same models in the 4WD have tax credits available for $1,950. Between these credits and the savings in gasoline anyone could see why these are becoming a hot commodity.
References
How Hybrids Work. (2009). Retrieved on January 18, 2009 from http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/hybridvehicles/a/howhybridswork.htm
Current Hybrids. (2009). Retrieved on January 18, 2009 from http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/hybridvehicles/a/currenthybrids.htm
Hybrid Tax Credits. (2009). Retrieved on January 18, 2009 from http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/hybridvehicles/a/hybridtaxcredits.htm
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Assignment 2-2
The three icons that I have chosen are Hannah Montana/Miley, MySpace and Starbucks. First, Hannah Montana is the Disney Channel character played by Miley Cyrus, daughter of 90’s country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Second, MySpace is an online community used for many different purposed by millions of people. My third choice is Starbucks which is a coffee house originating in Seattle, Washington.
On the show Hannah Montana, Miley (whose name is also Miley in the show) plays a teenage girl living the secret life of a famous pop star. This is something that a lot of young girls probably dream about, which is most likely the root of success of the show. Miley is an average girl living every little girl’s dream. I remember dreaming of being a famous singer myself when I was a teenager dancing around my bedroom singing into my hairbrush.
MySpace is a bit of a phenomenon in the world of icons. The online community is used as a dating website, a networking tool, a way to find old friends and stay in touch with family and friends. MySpace is now being used to launch new record deals and stand up comedy careers under MySpace Music and MySpace Comedy. I think it is an icon because it has been developed by the people, for the people. It is for virtually everyone, giving it a great lasting appeal.
Starbucks is more than just coffee; it’s an experience and considering it’s coffee that makes it an icon. While the java that is served up at Starbucks is spectacular, it’s the music, the seating and the service that sets them far above the rest. Many have tried to reach the level of Starbucks and failed. Personally I never go through the drive-thru at Starbucks because then I would miss out on the entire experience of being a Starbucks customer.
References (Photos)
Hannah Montana (2009), http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/celebs/hannahmontana/hannah_montana_2.jpg, Retrieved January 17, 2009.
MySpace (2009), http://wordsaboutthings.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/starbucks-cup.jpg, Retrieved January 17, 2009.
Starbucks (2009), http://wordsaboutthings.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/starbucks-cup.jpg, Retrieved January 17, 2009.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis #1
I have had a cell phone for years, but they still cease to amaze me. It’s not just about calling up your friends to tell them that you still remember they are alive. Nope. It’s about so much more than that now. It’s about sending quick and quaint little messages that seem to take on a life of their own only to become full blown, typed conversations. It’s also about recording your life, take by take, by picture (aka pix) or video (aka flix) so as to share with all those who care, and inevitably, those who don’t. Cell phones have made getting lost and finding your way, and the dreaded gas station attendant directions, a thing of the past. The most advanced Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are found at the touch of a cell phone key pad. And as if the internet has not brought us light years in accessing knowledge, it can now be found in the handiest of cell phones. Did I forget to mention the calendars (I’m a guilty addicted user here), alarm clocks, calculators (and, yes, tip calculators too!), address books, global clocks and list goes on and on and on. The music capabilities of cell phones today are astounding. There are actual music awards given for the most downloaded ring tones. I just don’t even know what to think about that.
Something I have seen in just recent years is the affordability of these crazy little devices. A real one-man band is what they are. Most people probably will either never use or never figure out all of the capabilities that these little trophies hold inside them.
The personal expression that these devices allow is amazing. Selecting ring tones or ringback tones, games and pictures to customize one’s phone seems to be a hobby for some these days. There is always something to keep the lonely mind busy in the event of a long wait at the bus stop, doctor’s office or school principal’s office.
The newness never seems to wear thin for the avid cell phone user. This is something that the cell phone companies are thoroughly enjoying I am sure. So for those who don’t have a cell phone, don’t think they are just for keeping in touch with your friends anymore……….there is a whole new world of cell phone addiction out there just waiting to suck you in.
Something I have seen in just recent years is the affordability of these crazy little devices. A real one-man band is what they are. Most people probably will either never use or never figure out all of the capabilities that these little trophies hold inside them.
The personal expression that these devices allow is amazing. Selecting ring tones or ringback tones, games and pictures to customize one’s phone seems to be a hobby for some these days. There is always something to keep the lonely mind busy in the event of a long wait at the bus stop, doctor’s office or school principal’s office.
The newness never seems to wear thin for the avid cell phone user. This is something that the cell phone companies are thoroughly enjoying I am sure. So for those who don’t have a cell phone, don’t think they are just for keeping in touch with your friends anymore……….there is a whole new world of cell phone addiction out there just waiting to suck you in.
Pop Culture 1-2
Popular culture is a part of anyone’s life that is not currently living in a third world country. It is the fashion, the music, the technology, the apparatuses and the extracurriculars in which we all us to live our lives. I find it to be those things that the pre-baby-boomer generation usually finds “just silly”. But to many in their teens to their 50s and 60s, it is now the popular way to live life on a day to day basis. Most commonly these are considered necessities of life, though that is usually not the case. They are things to enhance our way of living. Things to make us more comfortable, or to make life easier and even to just make life a lot more fun!
In my world of accounting, the fast paced changes are my popular culture. Not being able to keep up with the technology and the always-new set of regulations is a definite disadvantage. To be unwillingly to adjust to the newest way of doing things or accepting the continuing education of the industry could cause one to fall behind the newest trends. In the future, I see myself staying on top of the newest classes and seminars to learn new accounting methods as well as how to integrate the accounting world with the business world. These two would seem to go hand and hand but this has not always been the case.
It only took me seconds to name my idea of a popular culture artifact. Google. According to www.google.com/corporate, the idea was launched in a Stanford University dorm room by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Even the least savvy internet user has most likely heard of the popular search engine. The phrase “Google it” has become quite common over the past decade. It seems as though it is the gateway to the internet. A website need not be known. A few short words usually gets one right where they need to be, however, if it doesn’t then there are probably a few thousand or million other choices from which to choose.
I use this popular culture artifact (icon in my book) on a daily basis. I search for shopping deals, party ideas, recipes, how-to’s, useless facts and, most importantly, things that help me stay up to date in the world of accounting. I use it for everything! I recommend it to all. I believe that Google will continue to be a pop culture artifact of our time because of its ease and simplicity. Now who could say that’s “just silly”?
References: www.google.com/corporate; Retrieved January 10, 2009.
In my world of accounting, the fast paced changes are my popular culture. Not being able to keep up with the technology and the always-new set of regulations is a definite disadvantage. To be unwillingly to adjust to the newest way of doing things or accepting the continuing education of the industry could cause one to fall behind the newest trends. In the future, I see myself staying on top of the newest classes and seminars to learn new accounting methods as well as how to integrate the accounting world with the business world. These two would seem to go hand and hand but this has not always been the case.
It only took me seconds to name my idea of a popular culture artifact. Google. According to www.google.com/corporate, the idea was launched in a Stanford University dorm room by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Even the least savvy internet user has most likely heard of the popular search engine. The phrase “Google it” has become quite common over the past decade. It seems as though it is the gateway to the internet. A website need not be known. A few short words usually gets one right where they need to be, however, if it doesn’t then there are probably a few thousand or million other choices from which to choose.
I use this popular culture artifact (icon in my book) on a daily basis. I search for shopping deals, party ideas, recipes, how-to’s, useless facts and, most importantly, things that help me stay up to date in the world of accounting. I use it for everything! I recommend it to all. I believe that Google will continue to be a pop culture artifact of our time because of its ease and simplicity. Now who could say that’s “just silly”?
References: www.google.com/corporate; Retrieved January 10, 2009.
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