During the early 19th century women were respected only if they maintained their domesticated roles which men imposed upon them. At this point in time women were for the most part expected to remain traditional housewives who cared for the children, kept house, did not question the authority of the husband (or any man for that matter), and women were considered low-class if they procured a job to support themselves or members of their family. In the 18th century, the “proper” woman would read and write literature and poetry because those pastimes did not interfere with their fragile selves and further reestablished their nurturing role.
Given the role and expectations of women in the 19th century, it is not surprising then that women who assumed the career of an actress were proscribed by law and excommunicated by the church. The reason for this is that women were expected to maintain their innocence and virtue. When a woman thrust herself upon stage she was seen as exposing herself for an audience and therefore being an actress was considered similar to that of a prostitute; furthermore a dishonorable profession for a female but an accepted and respected occupation for a male.
However, early professional actress-readers were considered a more palatable occupation for women because they did not wear costumes which revealed alternate personas and they would sit round a table and read to the audience much like a woman would do for her children.
I am very interested in the way society has changed over the last three centuries. We have seen a shift from the expectations that women protect their frail image and innocence to contemporary expectations that women bare all on the big screen or else they will be regarded in a negative light. It seems to me that in the past women were looked down upon if they objectified their bodies but now women actresses are expected to objectify their bodies simply for the pleasure and entertainment of others.
This reminds me of the cyclical pattern of action and reaction. One generation is liberal and the next reacts conservatively, the next reacts with liberal attitudes, etc. I wonder what effect this has on the our democratic consensus of what is acceptable and what is necessary. How has this effected education, literature, family dinners, etc.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Support the assertion with some specific examples and quotes from our text.
ReplyDeleteIn the world of Hollywood today, women are still viewed for the most part as mere objects. Popular actresses such as Hillary Swank are a minority, while a million Jessica Simpsons find success. The majority of roles are created to objectify women; not to raise questions about equality; not to demonstrate how much knowledge they have; not to challenge cultural norms. This reality is confirmed through the vast amounts of sexual acts, derogatory language towards women, and the obsession with appearance. Everyday women read trash magazines that point out cellulite on actress’s legs, while exploiting their behaviors. My question is: Has the context of acting for women changed for the better or worse?
ReplyDelete