Lesbianism in Buffy the Vampire Slayer :: TV Television Show Essays

Given that lesbian desire has often been associated with the monstrous in horror and vampire genres, and that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is seen as having reworked the conventions of these genres, it is worth considering how the narrative of lesbianism is dealt with in this series to contemplate if and how this desire has been resignified. This paper is concerned with critically analysing the overt representations of lesbian desire and identity as they are manifested through the Willow (played by Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson) characters in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the coming out narratives as they unfold in Season Four. It attempts to address several questions: How has Buffy the Vampire Slayer reworked the representation of lesbians in the vampire genre? How are the themes of lesbian desire and coming out as lesbian dealt with in the series? Finally, has the show challenged stereotypical representations of lesbianism, or merely perpetuated them? I start this paper with a sense of ambivalence about how the lesbian characters and lesbian desire are constructed in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, because on the one hand I gain pleasure from watching these representations, but on the other hand I suspect that the series perpetuates some homophobic concepts about lesbianism. I am mindful that representations in horror and fantasy television programs and films are creative images and manifestations of ideas, mythologies and narratives. They are not perfect reflections of society, although the writers may attempt to deal with some social issues and identity politics within generic frameworks. However, fictional representations are still important sites where viewers negotiate personal and cultural concepts of sexuality and subjectivity. This queer reading of Buffy the Vampire Slayer investigates the disguised homo-erotic tensions between the out lesbian characters in the series. It avoids an elaborate search for homoerotic and non-normative sexual couplings between other characters in the series. If I were to do such a queer reading, I would probably concentrate on the Willow and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), or Faith (Eliza Dushku) and Buffy relationships as Farah Medlesohn has done in her essay, "Surpassing the Love of Vampires"(2002: 45-60). Alternatively, I might focus on the sadomasochistic relationship between Spike (James Marsters) and Buffy, or the bizarre love triangle between Andrew, Warren and Jonathan in Season Six. Instead, this paper is more concerned with analysing the blatant representations of lesbian desire and sexuality as they are constructed through characterisation, metaphors, narrative and stylistic devices in particular episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to consider how these themes have b een integrated into a youth-orientated, television program.

Scary Moment

One night, In the crowded mall, me and my friend Kathleen were having fun messing around In all the stores. Then, we decided to go to cutbacks and get some refreshing drinks to quench our thirsts from running around the huge mall. When we got to cutbacks, we couldn't wait to taste the caramel franchises in our dry mouths Kathleen let me go In front of her (of course she would, she's so nice), and so she turns around and looks behind her, only to see the scariest man you couldn't even explain it.This guy had black spiky hair with a gun In his pocket, a pack of cigarettes In his jack pocket, and an evil face of a villain. The guy was looking up and down at Kathleen, licking his lips as if he were interested. Kathleen said very loudly, â€Å"Can I Help You?!?!?! â€Å",and he walked outside quietly, still with that evil villain face. Kathleen told me what happened so let her go In front of me.As we waited in the long line that was out the door of cutbacks, the guy was sitting outside , like he was waiting for us, and we could tell that he was plotting to steal, because he had that face that a puppy does when it sees food. As soon as we got our two caramel franchises, we took a run for it. I even dropped some change and didn't even care. When Kathleen ran by where I dropped all my change, she stopped to pick it up. I said, â€Å"Kathleen come on, he's right†¦ † And I didn't even get to finish when he was standing right behind Kathleen. Kathleen Run! † I screamed, and helped her up. Luckily, her mom was in the mall, and we ran in that exact direction, no where else, and he was still chasing us. Finally, we found Sateen's mom and ran right behind her and told her everything bout what had Just happened. We went to the security place and they said they have been looking for this person for 2 weeks and that the same thing happened to 2 other pre-teens just like us. If her mom was not in that mall, we could've been kidnapped and possibly killed!By Ass istantship One night, in the crowded mall, me and my friend Kathleen were having fun messing around in all the stores. Then, we decided to go to cutbacks and get some refreshing When we got to cutbacks, we couldn't wait to taste the caramel franchises in our rye mouths Kathleen let me go in front of her (of course she would, she's so nice), and This guy had black spiky hair with a gun in his pocket, a pack of cigarettes in his Kathleen said very loudly, â€Å"Can I Help You?!?!?! , and he walked outside quietly, still with that evil villain face. Kathleen told me what happened so I let her go in front of some change and didn't even care. When Kathleen ran by where I dropped all my change, she stopped to pick it up. I said, â€Å"Kathleen come on, he's right†¦ † And I didn't other pre-teens Just like us. If her mom was not in that mall, we could've been

Feminism, By Bell Hook And Sheryl Sandberg Essay - 866 Words

â€Å"If my generation was too naà ¯ve, the generations that have followed may be too practical. We knew too little, and now girls know too much.† (Sandberg. Pg. 646) In the past, the call for women’s rights was heated as much as it was alive; many women today believe that they no longer need feminism in their lives. The misconception that feminist ideals are outdated has lead modern women to fall short in their desire to accomplish more. Sheryl Sandberg refuels feminist goals in the article â€Å"Lean In: What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid.† She addresses lack of females in the work force, as well as, the way society prompts boys compared to girls. Bell Hook, in contrast, provides a deeper understanding of feminist ideals, along with, an in depth analysis of Sandberg’s work. The articles written by Bell Hook and Sheryl Sandberg express each woman’s perspective on modern feminism; although they both call for action, Sandberg focuses on the inequality between the sexes, while Hook broadens the overall argument to include topics such as race, sexuality and class equality. In the article â€Å"Lean In: What would you do if you weren’t afraid,† Sandberg modernizes feminism for the woman of today. Sandberg addresses many points of gender inequality that are still present in today’s society. She urges woman to not fall into passive gender roles, but rather, to be â€Å"Ambitious†. Her goal is that young women just entering the work force will not only continue, but also aim high. One point thatShow MoreRelatedFeminism : What Would You Do If You Weren t Afraid1590 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism to many people can mean many different things. Feminism is the belief in equality of the sexes in social, political, and economic aspects. 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Women entered the workforce to replace their husbands who had been sent off to fight in World War II. As a result, their work in factories and shipyards challenged the gender norms of that time period, and thus paved the way for future generations to come (â€Å"The Women’s Movement—Our History,† 2005). Today, in lieu of Rosie theRead MoreBeyonce As A Mediated Symbol1524 Words   |  7 Pageswas even featured in Time Magazine’s â€Å"Top 100 Most Influential People† (2014) article. The author of the excerpt titled â€Å"Beyoncà ©Ã¢â‚¬ , Sheryl Sandberg, states â€Å"Beyoncà © has insisted that girls ‘run the world’ and declared, ‘I’m not bossy, I’m the boss.’ She raises her voice both on- and offstage to urge women to be independent and lead,† (para. 3). In this quotation Sandberg is referring to one of Beyoncà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s hit songs, Run the World, and a motivational video titled â€Å"Ban Bossy† that encourages women and girlsRead MoreAnalysis Of Sheryl Sanders Short Essay : A Simple Minded Explanation Of The Feminist Movement1782 Words   |  8 PagesIn â€Å"Lean In,† Sheryl Sanders, short essay offers a simple-minded explanation of the feminist movement based on women gaining equal rights with men. Sandberg’s definition of feminism begins and ends with the concept that it’s all about gender equality within the dominant social system. Sandberg’s guidance isn’t just for select women. It’s for older women, for young women, especially for women of color and first-generation women. T here have been various changes in America in the last era. Many aspects