The femme factor: Transforming pop culture analyses through femme theory

Abstract

Scanning the indices of popular culture textbooks reveals an asymmetry: numerous entries on masculinities but not a single femininities entry. What does this asymmetry say about gender theory and, more specifically, femininity? While feminist theorists have produced important scholarship illuminating femininity as a patriarchal tool wielded through popular culture, these analyses often overlook how various axes of identity intersect with femininity, leaving a sizeable gap in both the conceptualization of femininity and the analysis of popular culture. This article examines how femme theory can help to both highlight and remedy gender theory’s tendency to privilege masculinity and overlook femininity. After providing an overview of femme theory and its core theoretical concepts, this article highlights femme theory’s utility in enriching our interpretations of representation.