Why the Feminist Context Detracted from Wonder Woman | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why the Feminist Context Detracted from Wonder Woman

Plenty was said of the movie as a feminist triumph, but I'd argue that that takes away something from the movie.

16
Why the Feminist Context Detracted from Wonder Woman
Trailer Addict

Superhero movies rarely drum up as much interest outside of their respective fan bases quite as much as Wonder Woman has. Many reviews raved about it’s quality, and I must agree it was quite good (more than can be said for most recent DC comics based films). If you haven’t seen it already, I guarantee you’ve heard someone talk about it or read an article talking it into a feminist context. After having watched it just a few days ago, I must confess that I believe so much attention from this angle is actually taking away from the potential message of the film. Before you turn away, I’ll do my best to keep spoilers to a minimum.

Wonder Woman begins by giving the origin story of the Amazons, their purpose, and how they train. Gal Gadot’s Diana is shown as a young girl, growing up to the adult that saves spy and pilot Steve Thomas. Upon the contact, the Amazons learn of the War to End All Wars raging just beyond their paradise, which prompts Diana to go out and seek and destroy Ares, the greek god of war behind such a terrible war.

The incessant talk about the movie was how great a feminist triumph the film was. I can totally see why, because Wonder Woman is unbelievably badass and carries herself and the men around her with great ability. It takes something like 25 minutes for the first male to appear on the screen, and there are interesting pokes at female fashion, male leadership and sexual approaches. The film very obviously helms this purpose, and given all the hype and the film’s execution, I’d say it did a fairly good job.

But while watching it, I found there was a very interesting moment that I was surprised I didn’t hear more about prior to viewing. There was a moment after an epic battle where Dianna is speaking to one of her fellow fighters about his life. He mentions that he didn’t want to be a soldier, and grew up hoping to be an actor. Puzzled by this, Wonder Woman asks why he didn’t end up an actor, to which he responds that his skin was the wrong color. Being that the movie is set in World War I era, isn’t as much a commentary on race discrimination of nowadays. In context, the moment serves the purpose more to relate the women’s plight of the age, and some would argue today in the modern era, to that of the problems minorities faced and sometimes continue to. Suddenly both plights didn’t seem their respective arguments against the world, but two equal pushes for equality alongside other demographics. Such a link isn’t something I actively gave much thought to, and to see it done so simply yet poignant was quite nice to see both in the moment and in retrospect.

But have you heard anything about that? I didn’t at least. I’m not trying to demean the Feminist cause in the movie. While I’m not very well informed, if the claims of discrimination in things such as wage gaps are, in fact, legitimate and real problems, I’m all for the push for equal opportunity. Finally seeing a tastefully done female main protagonist superhero movie is quite refreshing as a casual superhero movie enthusiast and I presume must be even more so to feminists of all kinds. But lost in the whirlwind of this feminist-centric wave is a message that in my eyes carries greater novelty and importance, that of a unified front against potential faults in opportunities for all.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

292753
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

156817
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

278238
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments