Monday, April 18, 2011
Unit 3 Post
Although a lot of the group has discussed Tank Girl, I feel like it's a great way to tie in a topic we have been discussing all semester: challenging schemas and scripts from our society. The reason I think Tank Girl resonated with all of us is because Rebecca was the ultimate "strong woman." She used her sexuality to get what she wanted, not because she felt that she owed men anything. She was sassy, strong, smart, courageous, and the heroine in this film. However, many of us in class felt like her female sexuality was almost played up "too much" and that her lack of clothing and sexual innuendos actually may not have challenged schemas and instead supported stereotypes. I think that depending on the viewer, it may have done both. Rebecca utilized her sexuality and appearance to get what she wanted, a characteristic commonly criticized by both men and feminists. Nonetheless, Rebecca from Tank Girl challenged scripts by turning the stereotypes on their head. Some women stereotype women as unintelligent, purely sexual beings. Rebecca consistently outsmarted the enemy and used her sexuality to do this. What do you think?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Rebecca definitely challenges the typical scripts and expectations that are put upon women. I think you are right when saying that it both challenged and supported stereotypes. Because she was so provocative throughout the movie and used this to get what she wanted, for me, it kind of made it hard to see the heroine role that she is playing. I feel like the way in which she plays this role even challenges how men are able to portray their roles as Heros. I feel like they are usually your average Joe and good semaritan.
ReplyDeleteI know I am not probably supposed to, but I am going to repost what I said to Allison’s blog because I think the content is similar and I would like to take the substance from it. Then I will add on at the end to finish your question Lauren.
ReplyDeleteI feel very connected to what you are saying Allison because I was thinking very similar thoughts throughout the film. I actually found Tank Girl just plain “trashy”. Not because she was poor and had a weird hair-cut, but because of the things she said and the actions she made. For example, she would just flat out curse in normal conversation. I cannot remember an exact quote, but I know even when she was talking to other characters in non-stressful situations she swore. She also whored herself out. Sometimes she only made progress because she used sex as her tool. For example, she only distracted her enemy when she wasn’t paying attention and he snuck up on her at the look-out spot because she emphasized her stripping skills. She was giving the enemy pleasure to gain her advantage. To me, these qualities to this extent can seem trashy, but to post-feminists they may think differently.
However, I do think Tank Girl was a great character and I did root for her and want her to be triumphant, and I think she did have some other qualities that helped to accomplish that. First off, she was very witty and humorous which not only distracted the head enemy character, but also provoked him. To still triumph in the end (even if it was with a little help). On that note, she was also personable. Making so many strong friendships (such as with Jet Girl and the kangaroo things) was important to her success as well, which shows how building connections is also important. She also did not let anyone walk over her self esteem and took care of her family. She fought for her little sister until the end. She did not let anyone walk all over her.
So, overall, I think if Tank girl toned down the sex and “trashiness” (my opinion)/ “sluttiness” she would be more of a role model. Then she would not be giving the enemy pleasure and she could focus on values that can make women stronger without resorting to using men’s natural instincts to their advantage.
So basically, I guess I am agreeing with Haley that Rebecca (“Tank Girl”) both promoted and challenged the script of women using their appearance to get what they want in society. It was only promoted because of the excess the sex was used. Though I could be wrong for saying this, guys did write the original comic, and sex is what sells. Sex gives it an edge and makes people drawn to media, as silly as that may sound. So if the excess wasn’t there, I think the film could be more focused on Rebecca’s other attributes that challenged that women are only successful when they use their appearance to their advantage. But then it would be harder to keep viewers interested and make more people recommend it. I think that there could have been a slightly different approach to draw interest to the film, sex was just an easy way out. But, by taking the easy way out, the film lost some of its own point. Regardless, Rebecca from Tank girl did make some great challenges to a pretty common script in our society.
Sorry if it seemed long and frustrating to read!
I also agree that Rebecca challenged the scripts while also supporting them. I think she proved that women can be sexual and intelligent, and you don't have to give up one trait for the other. However, I think her sexuality was overbearing and overpowered her intelligence. Her sexuality was so strong, and as a result, the focus was on her sexuality and made her intelligence almost unrecognizable. It was great that Rebecca was able to outsmart her enemy and get what she wanted, but it was almost hard to even think about her accomplishments because I was to caught up in her sexual behavior. It was hard for me to think of her as a heroine because I feel as if the last thing a "typical heroine" uses to overcome her challenges is her sexuality. Maybe I need to watch more movies and maybe too many movies generalize heroines and don't portray them in the correct manner, but I feel as if Rebecca's assertive sexual nature distracts from her heroine qualities.
ReplyDeleteI think that Rebecca brought a ton of sexuality into this film. She used her sexuality to get out of situations. This leads me to wonder why the writer made tank girl like that. I think that tank girl brings several great qualities to the movie. Yet, she also has her flaws which are worth looking at. Her need to dress provocatively and be extremely sexual. I don't know how to take this information. Is it just tank girl owning who she is and her sexuality or is it her using her sexuality to her advantage? All of this leads me to agree with allison in the fact that tank girl is definitely not your "typical heroine." However, is that a good or bad thing. Is tank girl challenging our comfort levels and the norms of society or is she just looking and dress that way to achieve what she wants?
ReplyDelete