Journal Article Analysis

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.