The Paper Chase Masculinity

“The Paper Chase” and “Legally Blonde” are two films that depict the legal education in popular legal culture. This concept refers to just about everything that individuals know or believe to know about law, lawyers, and the legal system (Asimon, 4). Both of these films try to provide viewers with what the actual law education is at a top rated university. There are numerous stereotypes about law school as well gender roles, which are recognized throughout both of these films. Often times, watching certain movies or television shows about law and lawyers can put legal issues or other labels in a different perspective.

Elle Woods is primarily portrayed as blonde, blue-eyed, popular girl who seems to have it all together in the film, “Legally

Blonde”. From the beginning, Elle Woods is pictured as the typical sorority girl who has everything going for her, up until her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her because she is not serious enough. He never pictured Elle attending law school, yet alone getting into Harvard. The initial scene proves her feminine ways of getting all dolled up are what make her unique and not suitable to be a “typical” candidate admitted into one of the most prestigious law schools in the United States. Elle Woods was a fashion merchandising major, with a 4.0 GPA, 179 LSAT score and had plenty of extracurricular activities, yet still did not seem to be the epitome of a Harvard Law student. It may be because she acted ditzy or because she was more concerned about finding the best outfit to wear on the daily basis. In reality, law students are proven to be more “serious.” Even in her application video, Elle is seen in a bathing suit, revealing her body and using it to her advantage (Gendertrender). The main reason Warner left Elle was because he needed someone again more “serious” who demonstrated similar characteristics as his East coast family. Elle is characterized as a female who was more desperate to find her future husband than anything else. She gives every viewer the right to perceive females as emotional, boy crazy, and nothing more than a pretty face. However, by the end of the movie, Elle Woods is finally able to find her own worth and prove to herself that she has the passion and drive to be a future lawyer.
In the 1970s, there were less than 5% of women going into this field of study and by the 21st century there are roughly 46% women studying law (Catalyst).

Now, there are only 34% of women who are actually practicing law according to the Bar Association. In “The Paper Chase,” the classroom clearly shows the overwhelming amount of white males during this time period. Women are not seen as often throughout that movie, which particularly proves this gender gap. James Hart ends up finding his girlfriend who happens to be the daughter of his most demanding professor. Other than Susan, there are very few scenes or interactions with females. It is unfortunate that after only two dates, Susan ends up in bed with James. This is an example of conformed femininity, where women will do anything to please a man (Gendertrender). Again, Elle Woods is perceived to be just your typical blonde, fashionista, but actually does have the brains and ability to study at Harvard Law School. Although most law schools used to have a higher rate of male students, Legally Blonde tries to break this label by proving that Harvard Law is open to diversity and most importantly females. Out of all the students who could get picked for the internship with Professor Callahan, 3 of the 4 students were females. I also thought it was important that Elle Wood’s professor who put her on the spot the first day of class was a female professor. This professor likewise pushed her to stay at Harvard when she wanted to

quit and fly back to the West coast. It shows that even though women do get emotional and upset, they are resilient and able to get through tough situations.
The concept of love relationships has a major role in both films. The protagonists find a way to fight to be with their loved one, or are struggling to get back with them. Everything Elle Woods did in “Legally Blonde” initially was with the intention of getting back the love of her life, Warner. Elle’s main reason to even consider going to law school was so that Warner would take her seriously. Without acknowledging it, there is a clear interpretation of a women being dependent on a man in this film. Finally after she is even more heartbroken seeing that Warner had moved on, Elle is motivated to prove herself. She works hard enough to get recognized by her male professor and is selected as one of his four interns. At first, Elle did have a good relationship with her professor until she found out the truth. She is lucky enough to meet Emmitt, who unlike Warner, had complete faith in Elle Wood’s ability to study law and defend their client in the case. On the other hand, James Hart at first was nervous about his relationship with Susan. Even his friends told him that having a girlfriend in law school was not a smart idea. She resented the amount of time Hart spent on his studies but after some time he found a way to make that relationship work while continuing his studies. Hart however was almost more infatuated with his professor than his own girlfriend. He was constantly asking about Susan’s father and wanted to please his professor rather than his own girlfriend. Both of these films form a stigma that women need attention and are much more reliant on men. In our society today, many individuals still believe in this patriarchal atmosphere.
Moreover, there seems to be an overall presence of a male dominance in both films.

In “Legally Blonde,” Elle Woods is constantly pushing to impress her own law professor as well as Warner. Warner really only cared about having his new fiancé there in order to have a worthy accessory as a future politician. According to Elle’s father, law school is only for “boring, ugly, serious” people. Her parents did not even believe in their own daughter’s abilities. Professor Callahan was a prime example of someone who took a woman for granted. He objectifies Elle, telling her that the only way she will get somewhere is because of her looks. Elle worked extremely hard to get to her position, yet was only being rewarded because she fit into a stereotypical feminine category. Even in the nail salon, Elle teaches everyone the “bend and snap” in order to get males attention. It seems that throughout the entire movie, she is fighting to prove herself to the men dominating her. During The Paper Chase, Professor Kingsfield calls on James Hart randomly and has him recite back the information. Hart being so unprepared and shocked, ran out of the classroom straight to a bathroom to puke because he was so humiliated. Although this is something that most people would never think to consider a male would do, it goes to show that there is a lot of pressure in a classroom. It could be a male or female who gets emotional or sick, but a male figure was intimidating him. After this first day, James Hart

is determined to prove himself to this male figure who has power over him.
Law students are perceived to be strenuously busy and studying for the next exam. In “Legally Blonde,” it doesn’t seem as if Elle ever really has any struggles like the students did in “The Paper Chase.” Elle Wood’s main struggle revolved around her ex boyfriend. She does not seem depressed due to her studies, more so her relationship status. It almost makes it seem that if Elle Woods could get into Harvard Law School, why can’t anyone else? She was somehow able to study for the LSATS in about a two-week span and get an above average result when most students study for over 3 months to take the exam. It was the first time in Elle Wood’s life she was put in a society where she did not fit in, not socially nor academically. In “The Paper Chase,” Hart was not used to the culture of Harvard Law either, but he had always been a studious person therefore was welcome into study groups and made friends easily. There were other students who truly acted as if Harvard Law School was overwhelming with an extraneous workload. Elle Woods had a very difficult time making friends and was discriminated against based on her appearance and personality. Also, Elle ironically did not use “the law” to win her case, instead found the truth because of her girly natural instincts. If a male attorney was listening to the witness speak, he would have never caught that terminology or evidence. Although Elle Woods was able to win her case, the reality of it was that she never actually needed to use what she learned in the classroom to defend her client.
One of the most important characteristics of these pop culture films is that every individual can interpret the texts differently. In one person’s eye, these films were a real life representation of what the legal education actually is, while for others it could be completely wrong. Both “Legally Blonde” and “The Paper Chase” open the eyes to viewers to potential stereotypes of law students and the gender disparities. The time and place these films were filmed also goes to show exactly what they wanted to portray. Gender stereotypes and the legal education has been continuously growing and altering, breaking away from many of the habits and stigmas. However, as much as we want to say we have come far from gender discrimination, it is clear in our society as well as these movies that there is still a long way to go.