Gender Wars

Thelma and Louise raises significant issues related to gender. I was not in attendance for the class screening, but have previously viewed the film and vaguely remember the outlines and mainpoints. I am not certain if it is because I am seething liberal or otherwise that I attribute merit and purpose to the film.

There were many instances that made me think and that reiterated the importance of bringing issues like rape and identity to the forefront of the American, popcorn eating consciousness. Furthermore, the film's intentional portrayal of what amount to 50's era female stereotypes reminds us that even though the film was made in the early 90's, the struggle for female equality has hardly ended.

Comparing the Handmaid's tale with Thelma and Louise is rather easy. Much like an odd version of the "Stepford Wives," the characters within both of the aforementioned works are considered comparable "peons" who serve the worthless and utterly slovenly corridors of high society. Both Thelma and Louise, like the character in the novel, are portrayed as subservient, "stay at homes," and sort of fulfill the archetype of the female "June Cleaver."

The interconnected nature of expectations and the simplicity of their daily existence, the females within the movie and the novel would never be readily believed if, say, like in Thelma case she was raped. The patriarchal nature of authority both in cinema and reality dictates that females often neglect to inform medical and legal personnel about the incident. Much like an invisible ceiling exists within corporate America, the perpetration of rape constructs a rather unavoidable "it is my fault" and wounded mentality that precludes women from rightfully expressing their hurt and victimization.

When contrasting "Thelma and Louise" with Handmaid's Tale is that, unlike Thelma or Louise,the Handmaid was a resident of a highly stratified class structure that disabled her from removing herself, by choice, from the negativity and economically deprived situation that she confronted.

Some critics of feminism would view (especially) the issue of rape as a matter of women's failure to "speak up," but that is a simplistic and rather flawed logic that fails to address the reasons why many women who were, like Thelma, abused do not curb future violence by way of non-disclosure. The film does an artful and tasteful job of demonstrating the necessity of continued feminism. While many males would like to believe that we have have "outgrown" the necessity of feminism, any female can underscore the very contrary and probably provide a "Thelma and Louise" like example to demonstrate their sentiment.

I would say that the end of "Thelma and Louise" reiterates the notion that an idea or movement must be externally reinforced and the problem sort of portrayed to be perpetuated for the issue to remain legitimate and relevant. Much like the NAACP and other organizations that strive for diversity, often only the negative or most extreme examples are promoted or publicly discussed because if nothing negative is happening the organization and leaders within are devoid of a continuance catalyst. In some instances it can be said that the overwhelming positive-in the instance of feminism the progress made, can be neglected or swept under the rug so that people do not perceive the issue or series of issues to be of diminished salience.

"Thelma and Louise" concluding with the idea that women will have a difficult time advancing by way of gender structure, is real. Unfortunately,the harsh reality of gender inequality will continue to so long as there exist societal members who deny rather than acknowledge pressing matters of inequity.

Corey S. Dutra