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The 1940s female representation

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Molly Bingham
Molly Bingham

This document analyzes the representation of females in popular films from the 1940s. It discusses how Bambi portrayed the female deer as a weak, maternal figure who sacrifices herself. Pinocchio showed the Blue Fairy using her beauty to get her way, adhering to female stereotypes. Fantasia contained no female figures. Mom and Dad depicted the teenage girl becoming pregnant due to a lack of sex education, showing her as reckless. Forever Amber positively portrayed the strong-willed female protagonist who raises her status through her own actions.

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THE 1940¡¯S MOST FAMOUS FILMS AND THEIR REPRESENTATION OF FEMALES M O L LY B I N G H A M A N D L A U R A P Y E
BAMBI- 1942 A simple animated film telling the tale of a young deer growing up in the forest after his mother is shot by hunters. The death of the female deer, proves to be motherly figure, showing maternal instincts (reflecting the common mother¡¯s role within society), by giving herself up and saving her son, Bambi, from the hunters. However, the plot synopsis states that eventually, after finding love, Bambi finds the Hunters return to the Forest. The intended meaning of their return, is to show how this young male takes on a mature persona, like his father before him, and leads the other deer to safety. His authoritative figure within the forest was perhaps done to portray the dominant ideology, of Males being the supposed gender to take control and become the leader- like the Hunter gatherer ideology. Overall, the female representation within this film is very little; perhaps insinuating the female, although maternal, is weaker.
PINOCCHIO- 1940 The Blue Fairy/Fairy Godmother in this film is seen to be delegating orders, this seems an authoritative role for a female within the 1940¡¯s. Women were typically seen to be in the spotlight if they were ¡®beautiful¡¯; much like Monroe¡¯s figure within society. Perhaps in the film, the Male characters take the delivered orders from the Godmother because of her ¡®beauty¡¯. If this is so, I believe this is adhering to the stereotypical female. Getting their own way by utilising their sexual identity, is maybe something this film was trying to portray. However, like the mother in Bambi, the Godmother acts almost maternal towards Pinocchio, offering him advice and granting him a wish; appearing gentle and kind.
FANTASIA- 1940 The omission of female figures in this animated interpretation of great works of Western Classical music.
MOM AND DAD- 1945 The refusal of a sex education discussion with her parents, causes the female protagonist to run ¡®off the rails¡¯ and results in her becoming pregnant. I feel here, the lack of maternal instincts from both her parents, is a negative representation upon both genders. However, the teenage girl is also a negative representation upon females because it shows her to be reckless, vulnerable and easily lead on.
FOREVER AMBER- 1947 From a poor background, the female protagonist, Amber St.Clair proves to raise herself from her low and unsatisfied background, to a girl of nobility. This film demonstrates female empowerment and a strong willed attitude. Her actions reflect a positive representation of females, as she is seen to do everything for herself. Her drive and determination then wipes out her one love, as she is seen to shoot to power as a female; perhaps this was intimidation?

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The 1940s female representation

  • 1. THE 1940¡¯S MOST FAMOUS FILMS AND THEIR REPRESENTATION OF FEMALES M O L LY B I N G H A M A N D L A U R A P Y E
  • 2. BAMBI- 1942 A simple animated film telling the tale of a young deer growing up in the forest after his mother is shot by hunters. The death of the female deer, proves to be motherly figure, showing maternal instincts (reflecting the common mother¡¯s role within society), by giving herself up and saving her son, Bambi, from the hunters. However, the plot synopsis states that eventually, after finding love, Bambi finds the Hunters return to the Forest. The intended meaning of their return, is to show how this young male takes on a mature persona, like his father before him, and leads the other deer to safety. His authoritative figure within the forest was perhaps done to portray the dominant ideology, of Males being the supposed gender to take control and become the leader- like the Hunter gatherer ideology. Overall, the female representation within this film is very little; perhaps insinuating the female, although maternal, is weaker.
  • 3. PINOCCHIO- 1940 The Blue Fairy/Fairy Godmother in this film is seen to be delegating orders, this seems an authoritative role for a female within the 1940¡¯s. Women were typically seen to be in the spotlight if they were ¡®beautiful¡¯; much like Monroe¡¯s figure within society. Perhaps in the film, the Male characters take the delivered orders from the Godmother because of her ¡®beauty¡¯. If this is so, I believe this is adhering to the stereotypical female. Getting their own way by utilising their sexual identity, is maybe something this film was trying to portray. However, like the mother in Bambi, the Godmother acts almost maternal towards Pinocchio, offering him advice and granting him a wish; appearing gentle and kind.
  • 4. FANTASIA- 1940 The omission of female figures in this animated interpretation of great works of Western Classical music.
  • 5. MOM AND DAD- 1945 The refusal of a sex education discussion with her parents, causes the female protagonist to run ¡®off the rails¡¯ and results in her becoming pregnant. I feel here, the lack of maternal instincts from both her parents, is a negative representation upon both genders. However, the teenage girl is also a negative representation upon females because it shows her to be reckless, vulnerable and easily lead on.
  • 6. FOREVER AMBER- 1947 From a poor background, the female protagonist, Amber St.Clair proves to raise herself from her low and unsatisfied background, to a girl of nobility. This film demonstrates female empowerment and a strong willed attitude. Her actions reflect a positive representation of females, as she is seen to do everything for herself. Her drive and determination then wipes out her one love, as she is seen to shoot to power as a female; perhaps this was intimidation?