<i>Fatal Attraction:</i> The Sinister side of Women's Conflict about Career and Family

Bromley, Susan P.; Hewitt, Pamela

doi:10.1111/j.0022-3840.1992.2603_17.x

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…In this film, traditional women are portrayed in a positive light, while career women are depicted negatively. This aligns with Ellen McGrath's argument that Fatal Attraction mirrors the characteristics of the 1980s, wherein women who defied traditional norms faced consequences [5]. Alex serves as a striking embodiment of this theme, characterized by irritability, emotional instability, and a willingness to engage in illegal activities at any moment.…”

Section: Fatal Attractionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Understanding Career Women: A Comparative Analysis of Fatal Attraction and the Devil Wears Prada

Wang

2023

EHSS

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This essay explores the evolving attitudes and perceptions of working women across different eras by comparing two films from distinct time periods. These films serve as poignant reflections of society's changing views on women in the workplace. Fatal Attraction exposes the concerns and apprehensions surrounding ambitious working women in its era, exemplifying the anxiety and self-doubt experienced by independent women of that time. In contrast, The Devil Wears Prada portrays a more contemporary perspective on working women, highlighting a different archetype with a positive lens. By analyzing these films from various angles, this essay sheds light on the shifting societal perspectives toward working women over the decades. It underscores the ongoing efforts towards gender equality in the workplace and prompts reflection on our comprehension of professional society, the persistence of stereotypes, and adherence to traditional norms. Ultimately, these cinematic narratives inspire a deeper appreciation of gender equality in the workplace and a heightened respect for the contributions of working women.

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Section: Fatal Attractionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Understanding Career Women: A Comparative Analysis of Fatal Attraction and the Devil Wears Prada

Wang

2023

EHSS

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“…Whereas traditional discourses of femininity glorify motherhood, 'bad femininity' is defined by a disavowal of motherhood (Aguiar, 2001;Bromley & Hewitt, 1992;Chamberlain, 2005). Media representations of villains are often defined by their lack of maternal instincts, such as the classic character of Lady Macbeth (Aguiar, 2001;Chamberlain, 2005) and later the character of Alex in Fatal Attraction (1987).…”

Section: Polarities: Good Vs Bad Versions Of Femininity In Mediamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aguiar (2001) argues, for example, how infamous characters in literature, such as Lady Macbeth, are defined by their disavowal of motherhood. The character of Alex in Fatal Attraction (1987) is another 'evil' character who is defined by her opposition to motherhood, in contrast to Beth, wife of the man she has an affair with (Bromley & Hewitt, 1992). Unlike Alex, Beth is a nurturing stay-at-home mother whose maternalism allows her to be positioned within the caring discourses described by Skeggs (1997).…”

Section: The Queen and Maternalismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fairy Tale Femininities: A Discourse Analysis of Snow White Films 1916-2012

Dam¹

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<p>Fairy tales are enduring cultural texts that have enjoyed wide appeal and the continuing popularity of the fairy tale can be seen in the recent proliferation of media employing fairy tale narratives. Fairy tales provide a site of meaning about femininity and masculinity and examining them over time identifies versions of gender that are prized or denigrated within specific social, historical moments. This project was interested in the continuities and divergences in these gendered discourses across time. Although there has been considerable academic interest in fairy tales and gender, few studies have approached the topic from a genealogical perspective. This research extends the current literature through a genealogical analysis of five Snow White films from 1916 to 2012 in addition to incorporating an analysis in relation to a contemporary postfeminist, neoliberal social climate. The research employed a feminist poststructuralist framework and utilised thematic and genealogical Foucauldian discourse analysis to analyse the data. Discursive analyses found enduring discourses of traditional femininity across the films which centrally organised around a binary construction of femininity as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ A moral discourse worked to construct ‘good’ femininity as prized and bad femininity as punished. Alongside persistent discourses of femininity, however, a newer postfeminist femininity was evident in recent versions of the fairy tale. Consistent with a postfeminist, neoliberal discourse that highlights the importance of the body, analyses found an increased emphasis on beauty and the vast effort required to maintain it. Another postfeminist shift in the tale was the invoking of a girl power discourse to construct Snow as a competent fighter and leader. However, the complex entanglement of discourses of femininity in contemporary society is highlighted by the co-existence of these newer versions of femininity with traditional goals such as achieving a ‘happily ever after.’ From the perspective of possibilities for subjectivity, these shifts in representation appear to offer a young female audience more empowered possibilities of femininity but such power is simultaneously constrained by a complex amalgamation with traditional ‘niceness’ and beauty.</p>

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Postfemininities in Popular Culture

Genz

2009

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Fatal Attraction: The Sinister side of Women's Conflict about Career and Family

Cited by 9 publications

References 1 publication

Understanding Career Women: A Comparative Analysis of Fatal Attraction and the Devil Wears Prada

Understanding Career Women: A Comparative Analysis of Fatal Attraction and the Devil Wears Prada

Fairy Tale Femininities: A Discourse Analysis of Snow White Films 1916-2012

Postfemininities in Popular Culture

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