From: Arielle
Girls are taught from a young age that they need a man to succeed in life. They need a man to fight their battles, to protect them, to provide for them, and to give them a purpose in life. In “Hers; The Smurfette Principle”, Katha Pollitt describes the Smurfette Principle as “a group of male buddies…accented by a lone female, stereotypically defined”.
In my photo, I decided to position the male figures in a way that demonstrates they are clearly a group, a united front and engaged in sharing their own ideas amongst themselves. There is a clear sense of togetherness and of being a team. Their posture demonstrates that they respect one another and see each other as equal partners in their endeavors. I have positioned the male figures in a way that emphasizes that they feel noble for including a woman in their orbit. However, they are really patronizing her by not fully including her and keeping her at a distance. There is no point of entrance for her into the group, and they are not reaching to pull her in. On the other hand, the Baby Yoda has full access and participation with the group and is seen as more of an asset than she is. She is on an invisible leash, distant and apart from the group and dependent on them for inclusion.
Rey, on the other hand, is off to one side because she doesn’t see herself as equal to them. She doesn’t value herself and feels lucky to be in their presence. She is clearly accepting her role as the Smurfette by not moving closer and not making a place for herself in the group, not even asking for more inclusion. This isn’t because she doesn’t want more inclusion, but because she truly thinks this is the best it will get for her. An additional statement that Katha Pollitt puts forth is that “Girls exist only in relation to boys”. This phrase has a significant impact on the psychological and emotional development of young girls everywhere. To believe and to be told that one’s existence is only in relation to boys is so detrimental to one’s identity and self-esteem. In addition, it has a profound effect on young women’s willingness to aspire to be great on their own. We can see how this will affect their mental health and lead to issues such as anxiety and depression, just to name a few, all of which often go unnoticed. I positioned her with a stance that demonstrates her lack of confidence, uncertainty in where she fits with this team of men. She is demonstrating how tentative and unsure she is about her relationship and position with the group. She is on the invisible leash; wherever the boys go, she goes, because she wants to be with them even if she isn’t really a part of the team, even if she is really on the outskirts of the team.
I chose a beige backdrop for my photo, which emboldens the men who are wearing all black, while Rey fades into the background as the true Smurfette.
Work Cited
Pollitt, Katha., “Hers; The Smurfette Principle”. The New York Times, 7 April, 1991.
2 comments:
From: Sierra
Along with the creative techniques discussed in the essay, I think the blank, white, clean, straight edge background really gives it a feeling of "clean" "ideal" "exemplary" etc.. demonstrating how this sort of peer behavior in the depiction is not uncommon but rather a model of how society operated in our culture. I also think the use of the lighting, casting shadows over the girl in the background while highlighting the men in the foreground emphasizes how she's barely even there, not having any real impact or say. However, she is positioned to watch the boys discuss/hang out knowing that her only position in this interaction is from a distance, to longingly watch with only hopes that she might be included in the next conversation. But she doesn't dare push the boundaries and approach the group. Additionally, the inclusion of baby Yoda in the circle helps the viewer realize the outcast woman is not just randomly not included but that a baby or smaller less educated and valued member is actually included, showing how the men think of her as being lower than the baby Yoda., who is awarded the privilege of inclusion.
From: Lucy
Hello Arielle,
I agree with your article! I feel as if the topic of men protecting women and always having to be the bigger person has been the main topic for so long from movies to books, to even in real life. Men have always been the stronger and more powerful figures. I really like the photograph you used to demonstrate the empowerment between men and women, women always being the odd one out in a group of men but having the same knowledge and power as one.
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