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Exploring the ways in which the representation of women has changed over the years in
contemporary films, focusing on the 1950s to present day.

The representation of women in film has altered, from the 1950s to present day, due to the
ways in which societys expectations influenced a reform in gender roles as well as due to
political and cultural impacts. During the 1950s, females were provided with the house
wife stereotype, positioned in the kitchen, cooking majority of their time, whilst males were
represented as masculine characters, having most superiority.

The 1950s was the era of post war, therefore societys expectations of women were
to carry out actions of a typical house wife; cooking dinner, doing the chores, spending
majority of their time in their household. As men were known to be more dominant, social
impacts had provided females with a representation of being rather insignificant genders.
The Hollywood film, A Street Car Named Desire (1951 Tennessee Williams) presents women
with the typical house wife stereotype. Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter) illustrates this
stereotype as she demonstrates society's bias view of femininity during the period in which
the text was written. Stella is represented as a dutiful housekeeper and an obedient wife, in
this case, a symbol of femininity. This is a prime example of how women were represented
during the 1950s as her status of being a woman was belittled due to the ways in which
Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando), her husband, was portrayed in the film. A key scenario
supporting this is when Stanley huskily mentions Stella Catch!
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. Rather than asking her to
catch the meat politely, he delivers his dialogue in a highly demanding tone. This connotes
that women in the 1950s were objectified as they had least authority within their house
hold as Stanley orders Stella to Catch the meat instantly. Whilst doing this, he heaves the
packet of meat to Stella which supports the representation of women in film during the
1950s was fairly inequitable. As well as this, it could symbolize a dog and its owner playing
catch, Stellas character reflecting on the dog whilst Stanley being represented as the
owner, connoting that Stella is instantly degraded and that men had the most dominance
within that period whereas women were seen to have no value. In addition, in the 1950s,
women were expected to be accountable housewives as they were dependent on their

1 A Streetcar Named Desire, American Film, (Elia Kazan 1951)

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husbands to bring home the meat for their evening meal that the women would cook as
women had no authority during the 1950s due to the social impacts, such as post war.
Alongside the portrayal of Stellas representation within the film, Blanche (Vivien Leigh),
Stellas sister, is raped atrociously on scene. This instantly provides audiences with a
negative representation of women. Ann Kaplan, a feminist film theorist published a book
Women and Film; Both sides of the camera (2002) stating being a woman, her desire has no
power
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. This supports my thesis as Blanche has no power in this particular scene as Stanley
was able to rape her, due to her role as a woman being illustrated on scene for male desire,
illustrated by Stanley as he picks her up and carries her to the bed
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. By picking Blanche
up as well as carrying her to the bed portrays that women had no say towards their body in
opposition to men as they had the view of being a mans sex toy in that period. She fails to
argue against his actions, as, carrying her in to the bedroom with sexual intentions, depicts
females had a very minor position in film whilst the men had the leading roles, as they were
constantly presented as having a lot of authority, muscular physicality, having a much more
respected yet stereotypical representation in Hollywood films overall.


In addition, the objectification of women as subject of male pleasure was also
represented in films during the 1950s to early 2000s. Women were valued by men
depending on their physical appearance and were only shown during sexual scenes or when
trying to present male satisfaction. A chapter in the Film and Theory anthology (R.Stan,
T.Miller 2000) mentions the launch of a journal, Women and Film, stating women are
ultimately refused a voice, a discourage, and their desire is subjected to male desire
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. The
film The Handmaids Tale (1990 Volker Schlondorff) is a prime example of male satistfaction
as Kate, the female actress is on scene positioned between Serena Joys legs forcefully
whilst having sexual intercourse with the commander to produce a child for him and his
wife. This scene clearly shows she is conforming to the female stereotype of being a sexual
object, for male pleasure. As she is forced to lay between anothers legs to produce a child
for the commander illustrates her level of rights being very low and that there was major
influences via social and political factors,such as the rights to vote, impacting a females

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Cook Pam, Bernink Mieki, The Cinema Book 2
nD
edition, Bfi publishing
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Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire, Penguin Modern Classics 2009
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R.Stan, T.Miller Oxford,Blackwell, Film and Theory Anthology Representation of Gender In The Past, 2000
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status at the time in Hollywood films as well as portraying her as a sex toy in numerous
scenes. In another scene, Ofreds body is being examined by a male surgeon. However, he
abruptly whispers that he could help her and that nobody would ever find out. She then
realizes that he is offering to impregnate her. By mentioning impregnation to her, this
illustrates the ways in which women were objectified in Hollywood films as the ways in
which the females are treated in A Handmaids Tail exemplify. This clearly demonstrates that
the representation of women in contemporary film has changed in comparison to the
1950s as there is more equality in gender roles.

Similar to the objectification of women in previous years, supported by British
feminist, Laura Mulveys theory, the male gaze was also a large influence towards the
negative representation of women in Hollywood films. Laura published an essay 1975 Visual
Pleasure and Narrative Cinema, introducing the concept of male gaze as a trait of gender
power in Hollywood films. In her text Representations of Gender in the past, she mentions
the role of a woman in a film almost always revolves around her physical attraction
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in
which, the film Thelma and Louise 1951 presents. In one scene, Thelma reveals the bite
marks on her neck, which is followed by Louise mentioning Thelma what happened?
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This
emphasizes that female characters in films were partially on scene for a male visual pleasure
as they were valued for their physical qualities as Thelma illustrates. The marks also
illustrate that women were only good for male satisfactions as the marks may indicate a
form of enjoyment of the male. As well as this, she mentions, If youd ever met my
husband, youd understand why. As Thelma mentions her husband, this signifies the
inequality of gender roles as females mirror the male gaze during the 1950s as shes
referring to her husband, which illustrates that she is there to fulfill his needs. Furthermore,
Thelma and Louise are controlled by the male gaze as mentioned in a book written by
Isabelle Fol 2004, The Dominance of the Male Gaze in Hollywood Films The male police
officers are viewing the tape of Thelma robbing the store. One of the officers is eating a
hamburger which indicates the entertaining aspect of male gazing
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. This interpretation of
male gaze in Thelma and Louise supports the sexual perception of women in Hollywood
films, which provided women with a negative representation in the 1900s. This is clearly

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Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema 1975, Laura Mulvey
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Thelma and Louise, Ridley Scott 1975
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The Dominance of the Male Gaze, Paperback book, Isabelle Fol, 2004
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shown as the man is eating a hamburger, suggesting that he is being entertained by the
actions of Thelma robbing the store. As well as this, he is watching the clip for
entertainment rather than doing his job, providing women with a less respected view in the
1950s.
However, in recent years the rate of the objectification of women has altered in
contemporary films. Unlike The Handmaids Tale, the modern Hollywood film Kill Bill (2003
Quentin Tarantino) supports the change of how women are represented in Hollywood films.
The bride (Uma Thruman), is the leading female protagonist, providing a dominant and
active role in the film. Thurman not only plays the heroic role, her characteristics and
physicality are represented in a more superior form compared to the representation Kate
provides of women in The Handmaids Tale. Thurmans character has an essential, vigorous
leading role, and depicts characteristics of a killer partially due to her ensemble of weapons.
There is a scene, which shows her defeating a number of male assassins independently
without relying on the opposite sex for safety. The bride is a female assassin out for revenge
and has no mercy on the individuals who have wronged her. As she manages to kill a
number of them connotes that women in contemporary films are able to complete tasks
independently as they are represented with more advanced skills. As a result, women are no
longer conformed to a particular stereotype, as there is an alternative representation of
women in Hollywood films nowadays. Therefore, there is a major difference between the
representations of women during the era of 1950s to present day. This is because; the
equality of gender roles in present film has increased, no longer providing audiences with a
passive stereotypical view of women.

Although the objectification of women may still occur in Hollywood films, there has
been a reform of female representation over the years. For example, in the film Kick Ass
2010, Hit Girl (Mindy McCready) who is a young assassin, carries out similar qualities as her
father. Although she is very young, she defeats male assassins much older than her.
Therefore, this shows that women are no longer allocated in scenes just for male pleasure
as they have a purpose for the narrative of the film, not just to satisfy the opposite sex. As
well as this, Hit Girls age in Kick Ass also highlights the change of female representation in
films, as Hit Girls age defies the stereotype of women. Men are usually seen as constantly
overpowering a female, which Hit Girl defies as she manages to kill the antagonists showing
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a rather more significant representation of females in this era. Therefore, it is clear that the
representation of women has rehabilitated over the years as women are far more valued in
films nowadays due to political and social changes. The Womens right movement book,
written by Shane Mountjoy states movement, which promoted economic, political, and
social equality, gained momentum in the 1960s and '70s, when such groups as the National
Organization for Women fought for equal pay and laws banning employment
discrimination. This clearly supports the alteration in gender roles as the 1960s and 70s
involved moving towards equality.
In addition, the representation of women has reformed, as they are presented
having more of a leading role, having identifiable goals, represented with authority and
significance in action films majorly, not being devalued in comparison to women in the
1950s. Women are presented to have more of a leading role in contemporary films as there
is more equality between the roles of both genders. The blockbuster Hunger Games (2012
Gary Ross) verifies this as the female character Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) provides
characteristics that defy the stereotype of women in Hollywood films. For example, similar
to Stella in A Street Car Named Desire, Katniss delivers actions that convey the typical
female role by being motherly like and providing for her family. Characters such as Katniss
deliver a representation of women no longer stereotyped in films as they are able to handle
situations without being reliant on the opposite sex. However, there is a major difference
between the representations of women in the 1950s and present day as Katniss is shown as
an independent, tough female character filling her fathers role, she became the chief cook
and bottle washer, bringing home the food and income for her family. Her actions challenge
the typical stereotype of women which supports the alteration in the representation of
women from the 1950s to current era as Katniss is delivering a similar role to Stellas
husband Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, illustrating that strength is not something
solely found in masculinity she slightly presents the actions of a meat catcher which
Stanleys prime role was in A Street Car Named Desire as a man. This clearly proves that
women are no longer devalued, having a more respected role in films as they as gender
equality has increased. Therefore, showing an alteration in the representation of women
from the 1950s to present day.

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Other contemporary films such as James Bond franchises are also a key example of
the reform in representation of women in Hollywood films. This is because his old films such
as 007 Dr No (Terrence Young 1962) , From Russia With Love (Terrence Young 1963) and
Gold Finger, (Terrence Young 1967), provided women with a representation of being
objectified and devalued and sexualized to the audiences, listed above being objectified as
well as on scene for a mans satisfaction and pleasure. This is shown on the 007 Dr No film
poster as he is located alongside women in lingerie, providing women with a less respected
impression as they constantly had majority of their body revealed. However, from the year
2000 to present day, the representation of women has slightly developed as they are
represented as more powerful individuals as well as being presented in a more esteemed
form towards the public. For example, in one of Terrence Youngs more recent films such as
Die another day 2002, the female actress (Halle Berry) on the poster, is portrayed in a
majorly different way in comparison to his films published in the mid 1900s. She is
presented holding a gun alongside James Bond which shows that she has a larger role in the
film as she is holding a gun which was something only a male would have the rights to do in
Hollywood films during previous years. As well as this, it gives females a more valued
representation as they are shown to be more capable and leading in contemporary films.
Therefore, although she is still dependent on James bond, she has a larger role within the
film overall, portraying a reform of female gender role. As well as this, in one of the fight
scenes, she mentions, Ive got a better idea
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and begins to take action during the mission.
This connotes that women are more active in films as they supply females with a
representation of being fairly more self-determining and authoritative as she leads the
mission rather than James Bond himself. Another James Bond film which proves a change of
female representation is during the scenario of Severine and James Bond having a
conversation. She mentions do you mind if I ask you a question? it would only have to do
with death
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, ending the conversation with be careful what you wish for. Her spoken
dialogue immediately provides women with a representation of being very manipulating
and intelligent as she has the last word during the conversation with James Bond. This
shows that women are positioned higher in the hierarchy structure as they have more rights
as well as providing an increase of gender equality.

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Die another Day, 2002, Terrence Young
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Die another Day, 2002, Terrence Young
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Moreover, Leticia, known as Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) is one of the main
female characters in Fast and Furious franchise. This is because she challenges the female
stereotype as she is a greatly experienced with being a street racer and a mechanic. Leticia
defies the stereotype of women as she has a profession in being a racer and a mechanic are
what a male would usually have a profession in however, the fact that Leticia spends most
of her time on the racing track provides a more masculine trait. This clearly illustrates that
women have more of an equal role as they are represented as being more capable of doing
a mans job, in comparison to the early 1900s. Also, in one of the scenes, she mentions
Hey Klaus, youre supposed to be Team Muscle, dont make me come over there and make
you team p***y
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. Her spoken dialogue is very demanding and intimidating, similar to the
way a male would have spoken to his wife during the 1950s-80s. She illustrates that
women have more of a masculine role in film as they are represented as being more
dominant as well as having more of a role. As well as this, although she is a very attractive
female within the film, she isnt objectified in comparison to Stella and Blanche in A Street
Car Named Desire. Leticia is part of a team, which consists of males. As she is one of the
only females within the team clearly demonstrates that women are represented fairly more
equal to men, as Leticia has a superior position within the film, and isnt just displayed on
scene for male pleasure but is shown during team discussions as well as managing to
complete missions, defeating assassins for the team. This delivers a clear change in
representation of women as Leticia supports the reform of female representation in film
due to playing an important role in the film.

Another contemporary film, Million Dollar Baby 2004, similar to Fast and Furious,
provides audiences with a representation of women being very strong-minded, ambitious
and mentally tough. The main female protagonist, Margaret, known as "Maggie" Fitzgerald,
is a waitress from town in the Ozarks. She is presented as a regular gym member, which
instantly provides viewers with an alternative representation of women. This is because,
females wouldnt usually be expected to be training as a boxer in a gym, which portrays a
contrasting view as women were presented with a typical house wife in films such as A

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Fast and Furious 6, 2013, Directed by Justin Lin
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Street Car Named Desire, as Stella is constantly in the kitchen. Frankie Dunn, a victorious
boxing trainer, controls the gym. Maggie asks Dunn to train her, but he angrily responds
that he "doesn't train girls." Maggie makes good of transcending the female stereotype as
she trains towards being a successful boxer. She manages to save enough money to
purchase a house for her mother. As she provides for her family shows she carries out the
characteristics of a male as men are known for providing for their families. Also, women
were constantly given a stereotype of being a housewife. However, Maggie defies this as
she is seen on scene spending majority of her time at the gym training, not cooking in the
kitchen. This proves that the representation of women has reformed as women are
represented as heroines rather than objects for a mans pleasure.

The representation of women has changed in contrast to how women were
represented during the 1950s. This is because, gender roles were not presented equally,
providing women with a representation of having no power whilst seen as being worthless
and devalued in films. However, although objectification of women may still occur in some
Hollywood films, womens roles as a female is far more respected in films as they carry out
similar roles to men, having leading roles as protagonists as well as completing missions
independently or as a team. During previous years, women were constantly represented as
the act of male gaze or male pleasure, however nowadays they carry out leading roles in
film, portraying a transformation over the years.

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