While on set of one of her movies the costume department stole Katharine Hepburn's slacks because they found them uncouth and unfit for an actress. Hepburn proceeded to walk around the set in her underwear, refusing to get dressed until her slacks were returned (Biography. Com Editors). This story is just one of many that personifies Hepburn's stubborn and unique personality that has made her such an inspiration and beloved actress. Not only did her personality make her famous but it is also the reason she helped improve society. Society has benefitted because of Katharine Hepburn's empowerment of women, provision of entertainment, and advocation for equality. Katharine Hepburn was a progressive actress who helped shape societal views. Hepburn …show more content…
was born on May 12, 1907, in Hartford, Connecticut. However, for many years she told people her birthday was November 8 (her brother's birthday which she adopted after his suicide when she was seven). Later in life she had much success as an actress, receiving twelve Academy Award nominations and winning four (Biography. Com Editors). Katharine Hepburn, although experiencing a traumatic event as a child, overcame it and became successful, shaping societal views in the process. Katharine Hepburn, a progressive actress, immensely shaped societal views by empowering and providing a strong role model for women. Hepburn showed women they did not have to act in the manner they were expected to and was described as, "Unabashedly outspoken and iconoclastic, she did as she pleased..." As a public figure who was loud, opinionated, and not perfect, Hepburn inspired women to liberate themselves from the mold of the perfect woman. "At a time when actresses were expected to exude glamour 24 hours a day," Katharine Hepburn's refusal of interviews and casual clothes among other rebellious acts proved to women that they could defy the stereotypes that confined them. Once again in complete opposition to the societal ideals for women, Hepburn openly spoke about her dis belief in marriage. After being married to Ludlow Ogden Smith for six years she came to the self-proclaimed conclusion that men and women are not meant to be life partners ("Katharine Hepburn"). Katharine Hepburn served as a role model and precedent that helped women cope with not fitting into the tiny, harsh box of expectations society had forced upon women during this time. Hepburn's public denouncing of marriage as well as her uninterest in having children (the only purposes people thought women had) gave other women with the same beliefs someone to look up to. Hepburn also portrayed very independent and abnormal women that went against the stereotypical gender roles. One major film she starred in was Adam's Rib where a husband and wife are opposing attorneys in a court case that the outspoken, opinionated wife wins (Biography. Com Editors). Hepburn's portrayal of this strong headed character demonstrated to women that they can do anything a man can, if not better than he can, empowering and entertaining women from all over. This character had a quick-wit and never backed down to her husband, very similar to Katharine's own personality. Both the character and the actress inspired women to be themselves instead of being circumspect in hopes to not upset society. Through Katharine Hepburn's rebellious personality she benefitted society by empowering women and giving them someone to respect. Not only did Katharine Hepburn empower women with her outspoken nature, but she also helped people connect with movies through her embodiment of loveable characters. Although it did not become popular until later on Bringing Up Baby is one of Hepburn's most recognized comedies. Katharine's role in this film brought laughter to many members of society and even provides entertainment for the people of today. Her portrayal of this difficult yet charismatic aristocrat helped viewers relate to the movie . In another one of Hepburn's more well-known films, Woman of the Year, she embodies a progressive-minded political journalist who beat out all of her male co-workers for the man of the year award at her company, contesting the formal gender roles. True to her own personality, Hepburn provides entertainment and empowers women through her depiction of the shrewd and driven Tess Harding. Katharine's realistic acting helps evoke feelings from the viewers and allows them to be inspired. Another independent character Hepburn brought to life with her similar personality is Pamela Thislewaite in A Woman Rebels who has a child out of wedlock and does not apologize for her unruly nature (Biography.
Com Editors). This feministic role once again not only brought entertainment to society but also a progressive point of view which helped open up peoples' minds. This loveable character softened the blow of the untraditional practices seen in the movie and made it easier for people to accept them. With her representation of relatable and admired characters, Katharine Hepburn entertained and changed society through her …show more content…
roles. In addition to empowering women and helping people relate to movies, Katharine Hepburn impacted society by being an advocate for equality and helping others accept change. Unlike the traditional Hollywood actress, Katharine wore men's wear and slacks even though she was criticized and considered controversial at the time because of it (Biography. Com Editors). As an advocate for equality, Hepburn dressed in this untraditional way to express that she could do anything a man could, promoting equal rights in the process. Through this small rebellion as well as many others, Hepburn set herself apart as one of the first feminists in Hollywood. As a tolerance supporter, Hepburn also believed that everyone should be able to love whoever they want. Hepburn starred in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, a film from 1967 made just five months after interracial marriage became legal in the United States. This movie exemplified the horrific reactions of family members along with other hardships interracial couples faced in this time period (History. Com Staff). By Starring in such a risky and progressive film, Hepburn enlightened many people to the unnecessary persecution these couples endured. Yet again, Katharine Hepburn proves herself to be in favor of gender and now racial equality. Another example of her tolerance for unusual couples can be seen all throughout her career.
During Hepburn's stardom there were many accusations of her being homosexual which she never confirmed nor denied until later in life when she expressed her heterosexuality (Biography. Com Editors). By not turning down these accusations Hepburn showed that she wasn't bothered by them. During the time of uncertainty due these accusations, homosexuals finally had someone in the media to use as a role model and let them know that they aren't alone. Hepburn believed in kindness and equality for all even during this intolerable era which she helped advance and become more accepting. Katharine Hepburn utilized her fame to help progress society by sharing her feminist and accepting
viewpoints. One of Katharine Hepburn's most famous quotes "If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" perfectly captures her strong, candid personality as well as the way she lived each and every day. This honest, self-empowering mantra is one that everyone can benefit from if used in everyday life. Not paying attention to societal expectations or other people' s opinions is a guarantee for happiness. When someone does whatever they want without hesitation or fear of being ridiculed ensures that they will enjoy themselves. It is apparent this lifestyle is a recipe for success due to Hepburn's impressive career, known even today as one of the best actresses of all time. If applied in everyday life there is reason to believe that only self-confidence and blissful happiness would come out of it. Katharine Hepburn's inspiring way of life that helped to instill self-importance in women, captivate the attention of all audiences, and fight for tolerance. On and off the screen Katharine continuously shared her beliefs that women are capable of anything a man is and that everyone deserves the same rights no matter gender, race, age or other differences. Hepburn's non-apologetic, willful, keen, and the other infinite adjectives to describe her complex yet intriguing personality is what has helped her accomplish all of this and more. Katharine Hepburn has rightfully earned her title as the greatest actress of all time (Biography. Com Editors).
They did not challenge gender norms or ideals. Nor did they aim to usurp the position of the man. Rather, they supported the overarching mentality that women were to be submissive, strive to fulfill the needs and wants of men, and aim to please their male counterparts. (Kallen) Importantly, none of these women or representations of women exhibited any physical attributes that the dominant culture would view as masculine. Instead, they all displayed quintessential feminine characteristics and traits. Moreover, they were not valued for their brains or accomplishments; they were judged solely based on the degree to which they conformed to the male-dictated status quo. Marilyn Monroe and other sex icons of the 1950s were portrayed as dim-witted, naïve, childlike, and vulnerable, which was the polar opposite of society’s picture of the strong, smart, witty, and brave male. There was nothing about these women that challenged male superiority or threatened the overarching worldview that it was a ‘man’s world’ and women’s purpose was to make this world more enjoyable for the men who ruled it. (Meyerowitz
Eleanor Roosevelt, whose life did not look promising in the beginning with the loss of both her parents early on, ended up changing a worldShe then went to live with her grandmother who sent her to Allenswood Academy for girls. Described as an astute and observant child who had self confidence issues. There Eleanor studied under Marie Souvestre, a dedicated feminist. Eleanor would not finish school there as she hoped. Being called home Eleanor returned, at the age of 19 , as the niece of the president of the United States of America, Teddy Roosevelt. Eleanor began a relationship with her fifth cousin Franklin, the following year he proposed. They married in 1905. Their marriage was tested when Franklin cheated on Eleanor, she offered him a
When many people think of an “It Girl” they think of someone as luxurious, Clara Bow was one of the very first “It Girl” of the 1920’s, yet she was not luxurious at the start. Before, Clara Bow was considered a tomboy with her ragged and dirty clothes, she would always play in the streets with boys, no girls were willing to play around with her. Later, she entered into a contest The Fame and Fortune, winning the contest; she was brought into Hollywood by B.P Schulberg. During her acting career she also developed into a flapper; flappers were 1920’s women who dressed up in short dresses wore makeup and had short hair; they also smoked and drank at night clubs. Her career had to come to an end after
These movies allowed female characters to embody all the contradictions that could make them a woman. They were portrayed as the “femme fatale” and also “mother,” the “seductress” and at the same time the “saint,” (Newsom, 2011). Female characters were multi-faceted during this time and had much more complexity and interesting qualities than in the movies we watch today. Today, only 16% of protagonists in movies are female, and the portrayal of these women is one of sexualization and dependence rather than complexity (Newsom, 2011).
As the stock market booms and society prospers, women’s fashion undergoes drastic change during the 1920’s. The hems of skirts and dresses rise to newer, more promiscuous level. The traditional long hair, supposedly the crowning glory of a women, is cut shoulder-length or shorter. Defined waistlines are lost, giving way to a shapeless and loose fitting style of clothing. Manufacturing of cosmetics emerges during this decade, and a variety of products become popular among women. The famous Gabrielle Chanel, more commonly known as “Coco Chanel,” introduces her renowned perform in the late 1920s (Yarwood 139). Peggy Whitley, dean at Lone Star College, sums up the newfound cosmetic craze in her American Cultural article: “Powder, lipstick, rouge, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, colored nails. They had it all!” Associated with the distinct new styles of the era, the iconic “flapper girl” is born. This term is often used for women who donned the edgy style of the time, particularly with a defiant and independent outlook on life. Outside the exciting and rebellious life of the flapper girl, everyday clothing also experiences significant change. Relaxed sport’s attire bec...
In the 1960’s women did not have the rights they have today, plus most people underestimated women’s ability. The movie shows exactly how men and women were not equal and how almost all men did not expect a lot from women. “ Jim Johnson: Pretty Heady stuff, Katherine: yes it is, Jim Johnson: they let women handle that sort of..” (36.26). This proves how Jim, a man, believes that women are not qualified for significant jobs, and that is how it was back then. Being a women was a struggle for all women, but “Katherine Johnson crossed all gender, race, and professional lines while their brilliance and desire to dream big, beyond anything ever accomplished before by the human
Marilyn Monroe (Monroe) was an image of fashion and beauty in the 20th century. Overcoming a traumatic childhood to become one of the most confident women. Making bold provocative, but, fashionable statements about how women should be confident about their own body image. Without the help of others, she would not have become the person she is known as today. Marilyn Monroe, a famous actress, who has influenced the rest of the world.
Marilyn Monroe was liked by many, society liked her for the sheer fact that she never portrayed herself as famous, but as a human. She was the epiphany of Hollywoods misguided. She created this noble character that people admired, they also admired her f...
In Brenda Cooper’s article “Chick Flicks,” she argues, the film, Thelma and Louise employs mockery as a narrative tool, and functions to produce a defiant narrative which fiercely confronts and denounces patriarchy. Societal norms are able to create a kind unconscious compliance, resulting in self-imposed coercion and oppression. A film like Thelma and Louise brings consciousness to women’s own complicity in social norms like patriarchy, so they can no longer blindly follow these norms. This leaves women in either a state of denial and resistance or a state of evolution and change. Through mockery this film sheds light on accepted norms, and in some, causes a defensive response, as it
Think about the obstacles of a woman to become successful in the 1950s. I want to find an answer whether it was the media, which created Monroe’s sexy image or Monroe, whom herself used her sexy image to become famous. I am going to study the background of the time period, and learn if the current events such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War, had any impact on Monroe's life, or whether Monroe herself had any influences politics in mid-20th century. I will also explore on how Monroe’s image influenced and redefined the feminism in the 21st century. I believe Marilyn Monroe was a clever, confident, and independent woman who was very brave and smart. Her spirit is what the girls in the new century needed. I also would like to study why Marilyn Monroe is still relevant and even famous in the 21st century to show the power of female charisma.
middle of paper ... ... Greenberg, H. R. & Greenberg, H. R. "Rescrewed: Pretty Woman's Co-opted Feminism. " Journal of Popular Film and Television 195605th ser. 19.1 (1991): 1-8.
In the 1930s, aspects of pre-feminism in Hollywood movies were rampant (Hugel 1). This helps to explain why women were given limited roles in the movies. The women were portrayed as symbols of love. The women never participated in other active roles. Because they were weak creatures that could not perform other challenging roles in the society (Horowitz 41). The women were also presented as victims of the environment in which they lived.
Pretty Woman, 1990s Hollywood movie, embodies many new as well as old values and ideologies. I was surprised when I saw that, the old themes and sexual stereotypes are not completely abandoned, but the old portrayals of gender stereotypes are transmuted.
...ereotypes and patriarchal norms (Annie baking, Helen being a rich step-mom, the wedding itself), it also undermines patriarchy at the same time. At one point or another throughout the film all of the female characters go against the common conception and portrayal of women being proper and passive. They can be raunchy, drink, use vulgar language, and show they aren’t that different from men.
The depictions of women in films have changed in time with society to ensure the films popularity.