What is “The Smurfette Principle?” Pollitt explains it as, “a group of male buddies will be accented by a lone female, stereotypically defined” (545). In “The Smurfette Principle,” Pollitt argues that media directed towards children hurts them by stereotyping girls as inferior characters, which she ties together with strong, effective logos and pathos to support and give her ethos credibility. The logos are strong supports to the ethos by giving several familiar examples in children’s movies, shows, and books where the female has an inferior role to the male’s role. Pollitt describes more on “The Smurfette Principle” by saying: In the worst cartoons—the ones that blend seamlessly into the animated cereal commercials—the female is usually a little-sister type, a bunny in a pink dress and hair ribbons who tags along with the adventurous bears and badgers. But the Smurfette principle rules the more carefully made shows too (545).
The film starred Marilyn Monroe as the blonde and Jane Russell as her wise brunette friend. The Encyclopedia of Hair describes Monroe's role as that of "a fragile woman who relied rather on her looks rather than on intelligence - what some people refer to as 'dumb blond'. At the same time, in the film she demonstrates a certain amount of wit regarding her life position expressed in her hit "Diamonds are the girl's best friend". And when her fiancé's father (who initially disliked her but eventually was impressed) asked her why she pretends to be dumb, she answers that men prefer this way.” (Wikipedia) Marilyn Monroe was one of the most famous Celebrities to use her looks to get what she wants. She was not afraid to flaunt herself at men and the media.
It is the classic tale of “you want what you can’t have”. I love that the movie has a romance among the mystery but it’s bothersome to see such a wonderful woman throw herself helplessly at someone who is blind to what he has. It almost makes you hate Jefferies a little, from a girl’s perspective
The main characters are twin teenagers. Played by excellent actors, Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon. They live in a very stereotypical household with divorced parents and often neglect toward the children by their parents. Witherspoon plays a girl who is always trying to be the popular girl. And Maguire plays a boy who is isolated from the cool kid and is considered a dorky nerd, who is obsessed with a certain TV show called “Pleasantville”.
Furthermore, this detachment possibly suggests an implicit commentary on the marginalized life of women in the Victorian era. 2. What does Lucy think of Polly and Graham? Is she fair? Lucy describes Graham in a very positive way: “a handsome, faithless-looking youth of sixteen” “his waved light auburn hair, his supple symmetry, his smile frequent.” However, the reader has the feeling that Lucy feels jealous of Polly: “I wished she would utter some hysterical cry, so that I might get relief and be at ease” and finds her ridiculous “when I say the child I use an inappropriate and undescriptive term – a term suggesting any picture rather that that of the demure little person in a mourning frock (...), that might have just have fitted a good-sized doll.” However, Lucy does not to take in account the fact that Polly is extremely young, that she has lost her mother and rarely sees her father.
She is cunning, resourceful, and brave. She definitely does not fit into the passive role that has been given to the more popular heroines. As in many fairy tales, the beautiful daughter is basically given away as if she is an object to a man who wants to marry her. Of course the girl’s father approves of the suitor because he appears rich, but the girl is not as impressed. She, “did not like him as much as a bride should like her bridegroom,” (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm).
I think throughout all three versions of this story Curley’s Wife is the most varied among the three. The differences within the character of Lennie are easily and greatly seen. In the book he isn’t seen as having a mental disability but more so just acting stupid and a little bit “slower.” Also while in the book, Lennie does love rabbits, but doesn’t constantly talk about them like he does in the play and movie. George’s personality also changes; in the play he easily becomes very negative and rude towards many of the characters, especially Lennie, while in the book and most of the movie he’s generally nicer. The character of Candy also changes greatly amongst the different versions.
A popular example would be the treatment of women in The Big Bang Theory. For a good majority of the show’s first few seasons, there is only one main female character, Penny. She’s presented as the stereotypical beautiful girl who is coveted by the males of the show; however, she also seems to lack equal intelligence and is often made fun of by the show itself over her inability to understand most topics being discussed. She’s basically an example of a pretty girl who’s all looks and no brain without any talents to make it through life, and is extremely objectified because of this. On the contrast, other women on the show such as Amy seem to have an extraordinary amount of intelligence, yet lack the pretty looks to go along with it.
Terry is very stubborn, and willing to work hard to be the best actress for her parts. Out of all the other girls she stood out the most, her drive and faith in being on the stage is just inspirational. * Jean Maitland is a beautiful woman, but her conceited personality and bad character ruin her good looks. She is a very well dressed woman who is very proper, but only seems to care about her fame and future. She isn’t a very good Broadway actress, but her good looks are the only thing that gets her noticed by picture producers.
(Image courtesy of Universal Pictures) Driving Miss Daisy (1989) This ultimate white liberal fantasy about an old Jewish woman befriending her kindly black driver during segregation—may have had good intentions but its simplistic narrative pales in comparison to the more intense exploration of race of the same year’s Do the Right Thing (directed by Spike Lee). Ironically, Driving Miss Daisy won the Academy Award for best picture, while Spike Lee’s masterpiece wasn’t even nominated. (Image courtesy of Warner Bros.) Bebe’s Kids (1992) An impoverished single mother with three obnoxious, unruly kids are the butt of numerous offensive jokes and scenarios in this misguided animated “comedy.” Here’s a typical line: “She’s so fine she make you want to get a job with benefits.” Are you laughing? (Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures) The Green Mile