July 24, 2007

Just How Feminist Is Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Heroine Content discusses.

Posted by armand at July 24, 2007 05:28 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Culture


Comments

I agree with that analysis on Buffy's feminism. I have always thought that the shows weakness is the race and especially class issue. i can't tell you how many times I have exclaimed out loud while watching Buffy "what?! more leather outfits?!" Which was also another big critique I had of L-Word.

Posted by: binky at July 24, 2007 05:56 PM | PERMALINK

I like that reading of Buffy's feminism too.

The race stuff is more troubling of course, but also true of the great majority of tv series - including many of the best ones. And yes, the class thing matters as well - but at least they made Buffy work, and brought tough financial concerns into the discussion. Again, many shows don't.

Posted by: Armand at July 24, 2007 09:54 PM | PERMALINK

Buffy's financial problems occupy, at most, a couple of episodes in the season just after her mom dies, and she has to "take care" of Dawn. It disappears after that. Class isn't really addressed in the show (other than the obvious "different doesn't mean worse" thing that having non-humans around implies).

I agree that the feminism of Buffy is markedly better than the racism; that being said, the show doesn't have to address everything.

It's also worth noting that the show did make strides in terms of public sexuality; everyone's relationships (with whatever sex and/or species) were taken seriously.

Posted by: baltar at July 24, 2007 11:06 PM | PERMALINK
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