Presentation_109 Sem_2 _The Evolution of Submissive Female Archetypes in Media_.pptx

The Evolution of Submissive Female Archetypes in Media

1. Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University Date: 9 April 2024 "The Evolution of Submissive Female Archetypes in Media" Sem 2 | Batch 2023-25 Hardi Vhora

2. "The Evolution of Submissive Female Archetypes in Media"

3. NAME:- HARDI VHORA ENROLLMENT NO. 5108230050 SEM:- 2 BATCH:- 2023-2025 PAPER NO.:- 109 ROLL NO.:- 08 PAPER CODE: - 22402 PAPER NAME:- Literary Theory & Criticism and Indian Aesthetics SUBMITTED TO:- Smt. Gardi Department of English MKBU

4. Table of Content Introduction Early Depictions and Stereotypes Contemporary Trends and Challenges Conclusion

5. 1. Introduction:- <What is ‘Archetype’ mean?> Archetype: A primordial image, character, or pattern recurring in literature and thought, embodying universal concepts. Coined by Carl Jung, archetype signifies patterns from a "collective unconscious," genetically inherited and recurring across generations. Northrop Frye extended archetype to literary contexts, emphasizing its significance in understanding literature. Archetypal criticism linked with thinkers like Maud Bodkin and James Hillman, rooted in Jungian principles. (Segal)

6. > What is the Archetypal Criticism? "Archetype: A universal pattern evoking deep emotional response in literature, rooted in unconscious memory." "Archetype: Original model or prototype shaping similar things; an ideal example." "Arch as a prefix: Signifying 'highest' or 'most important,' as seen in words like 'archangel' or 'archbishop.'" "Type: Representation embodying ideal features or a symbol of future occurrences.also it derived from Latin 'typus,' indicating an image or impression." "Archetype in literature: Recurrent pattern resonating with readers universally, explored through various disciplines." "Archetype: Integral part of human experience studied through archaeology, anthropology, psychology, history, and religion." "Mormonism: Emphasizes 'types and shadows' as symbolic representations." "Archetype: Basis of literary analysis, revealing profound human connections and universal truths." (Campbell)

7. Continue>>> Carl Jung introduced the concept of the collective unconscious, shared by all humans. The collective unconscious holds memories and images from a pre-human racial past. Archetypal images tap into these shared memories, making them powerful and universal. Archetypes are structural components of the collective unconscious, containing a large emotional element. They originate from repeated experiences across generations, residing in the mind as universal thought forms. Archetypes manifest in myths, dreams, rituals, and works of art, among other mediums. Numerous archetypes exist in the collective unconscious, including birth, death, power, hero, and more.

8. > The Concept of Submissive Female Archetypes in Media:- Submissive female archetypes in media portray women as passive, obedient, and lacking agency. These archetypes reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations of women as subservient to men. Submissive female characters often serve as love interests or sidekicks to dominant male protagonists. Their storylines typically revolve around their relationships with men rather than their own goals or aspirations. These portrayals perpetuate harmful stereotypes and limit the representation of diverse female experiences in media.

9. Submissive female archetypes in media depict women as passive, obedient, and lacking agency. These archetypes have historical roots and persist across various forms of media. Examples include the damsel in distress trope in fairy tales like "Cinderella" and "Snow White." In film, the submissive wife archetype is evident in classics like "The Stepford Wives." Television often portrays submissive female characters, such as Betty Draper in "Mad Men." Advertising reinforces these archetypes through depictions of women in domestic roles. Video games often feature submissive female characters needing rescue, like Princess Peach in "Super Mario." Literature showcases submissive female protagonists, like Bella Swan in "Twilight." Social media influencers sometimes conform to submissive stereotypes to gain followers. Overall, these archetypes perpetuate harmful stereotypes and limit the portrayal of women with agency and independence.

10. # Significance and "Media's Role in Gender Perceptions and Women's Empowerment”:- Understanding archetypes helps decipher media portrayals of gender roles. Example: Analyzing the "damsel in distress" archetype in movies reveals traditional gender norms. Media representations shape societal views on gender roles. Example: Advertising often reinforces stereotypes by depicting women as caregivers and men as breadwinners. Studying archetypes illuminates societal expectations placed on women. Example: Examining the "femme fatale" archetype reveals expectations of women to be seductive and manipulative.

11. Media influences perceptions of women's empowerment. Example: Strong female characters in TV shows challenge stereotypes and inspire empowerment. Gender role stereotypes perpetuated by media hinder women's equality. Example: Portraying women only in domestic roles reinforces the idea that their place is in the home, limiting their opportunities. Analyzing archetypes informs strategies for promoting women's empowerment. Example: Recognizing and challenging gender stereotypes in media can lead to campaigns advocating for gender equality. Media literacy regarding archetypes is crucial for fostering gender equality. Example: Educating individuals to critically analyze media representations helps combat harmful stereotypes.

12. 2. Early Depictions and Stereotypes:-

13. >Let’s see some early examples of submissive female archetypes in literature, film, and other forms of media:- >>> According to Jung, Jung identified numerous archetypes including mother, father, child, hero, wise old man/woman, and more, which blend into each other according to situations. Mana-personalities, representing supernatural powers like heroes or gods, are crucial archetypes in Jungian psychology, linked to the concept of 'Mana'. The Mother archetype holds a central position, reflecting the primal need for nurturing, not necessarily tied to the biological mother. 'Anima' and 'animus' represent the feminine and masculine aspects within individuals, with the innate urge to integrate them for completeness. When anima and animus merge completely, it's called 'syzygy', a concept often explored in spiritual journeys. (Atre 156-157)

14. # Example of “The Damsel” in “Distress”:- The Damsel in distress stereotype portrays women as helpless, passive, and dependent on male rescuers, perpetuating gender roles and reinforcing power imbalances.

15. > Other Examples like,... In literature, early examples of submissive female archetypes include characters like Penelope from Homer's "Odyssey" and Desdemona from Shakespeare's "Othello." In film, the damsel in distress trope is prominent in classics such as "King Kong" (1933) and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937). In other forms of media, advertisements and magazine articles from the mid-20th century often depicted women as obedient housewives, promoting traditional gender roles and domesticity.

16. 3. Contemporary Trends and Challenges :-

17. Recent media representations of submissive female characters reflect a shift towards nuanced portrayals, showcasing agency and complexity. Modern depictions often challenge traditional stereotypes by presenting submissive characters as empowered individuals making conscious choices. Cultural movements such as feminism have influenced media to depict submissive traits as part of a character's multifaceted personality rather than defining their entire identity. There's a trend towards subverting submissive tropes, where female characters exhibit strength and assertiveness alongside submissive tendencies. The evolution of societal attitudes towards gender roles has led to more diverse and authentic representations of submissive female characters, reflecting the complexities of real-life experiences. Media now frequently explores the internal conflicts and external pressures faced by submissive characters, offering audiences a deeper understanding of their motivations and struggles.

18. # Contemporary Examples of Submissive Female Characters from Hindi Movies, Serials, and Advertisements:-

19. Movie:- > Kabir Singh :- While the film faced backlash for its portrayal of toxic masculinity, the character of Preeti, played by Kiara Advani, is depicted as a submissive love interest to the protagonist.

20. 2. Serials:- > Balika Vadhu: This serial, though now concluded, depicted the story of Anandi, a child bride who undergoes various struggles but remains submissive to societal expectations.

21. 3. Advertisement:- >Fairness Cream Advertisements: Advertisements for fairness creams often portray women as submissive and lacking confidence until they achieve fairer skin tone, implying that fairness leads to success and confidence.

22. 4. Conclusion:- Media has historically portrayed submissive female archetypes, reinforcing traditional gender roles. Over time, there's been a gradual shift towards more diverse and empowered representations of women. Early portrayals often depicted women as passive, obedient, and reliant on male authority. With changing societal attitudes, media began showcasing assertive, independent female characters. Modern narratives increasingly challenge submissive stereotypes, presenting women as strong, complex individuals. The evolution reflects broader societal changes and ongoing efforts towards gender equality in media representation.

23. # References:- Atre, Shubhangana. “THE FEMININE AS ARCHETYPE.” https://jstor-mkbu.refread.com/stable/43941279?searchText=THE+FEMININE+AS+ARCHETYPE&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DTHE%2BFEMININE%2BAS%2BARCHETYPE%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3Af6628e9cd6143. Campbell, Joseph. “ARCHETYPAL CRITICISM.” Government Arts College for Women, Salem , https://www.govtwomencollegeslm8.org/e_content/English/II%20M.A.%20ENGLISH/LITERARY%20CRITICISM/UNIT%20-I%20ARCHETYPAL%20CRITICISM.pdf . Accessed 9 April 2024. Segal, Robert. “Archetype | Mythology, Symbolism, Psychology.” Britannica , 22 March 2024 , https://www.britannica.com/topic/archetype. Accessed 9 April 2024.

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