 Mystery: November 20, 2013 Issue [#6008] |
  Mystery
This week: Damsels, The Bechdel Test & Female Roles Edited by: Jeff  
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"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
-- Carl Sagan
Mystery Trivia of the Week: The Bechdel Test (described below) has also inspired a variety of other tests used to measure bias in fictional work, including GLAAD's "Vito Russo Test" to analyze the representation of LGBT characters in fiction, as well as the Finkbeiner test to identify gender bias against women in journalistic articles about women in science.
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DAMSELS, THE BECHDEL TEST & FEMALE ROLES
The Bechdel Test is a remarkably simple test, consisting of only three criteria. And yet, a remarkable number of fictional works (including movies, books, comic books, and short stories) manage to fail this test. Named after cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who brought up the idea in a cartoon she created in 1985 where two female characters are discussing the fact that one of them will only see a movie if it satisfies the following three requirements, passing the test requires the following:
 There are at least two women in the story;
Who speak to one another;
About something besides a man.
It may seem like relatively simple criteria, but think about some of the stories you read and movies you watch (especially in a male-dominated genre like action, horror, science fiction, or even - yes - mystery) and really think about whether those stories pass the test. It's remarkable how many actually fail it, and sometimes by not meeting two or even all three of the criteria!
The reason I bring up this test is because the mystery genre is especially guilty of failing this test fairly often, as well as employing "damsel" situations, or those in which a female character is only present for the purposes of spurring the male protagonist into action by being kidnapped, running away, or otherwise remaining mostly helpless until the hero comes to rescue her. When you consider the number of "damsel" situations in fictional works these days, and then apply the criteria of the Bechdel Test, it's shocking how often female characters are portrayed as mere plot points, or as lacking any kind of individuality or identity outside of their relationship to the men in the story. (There have even been further applications of the Bechdel Test, with some proponents lobbying to additional criteria such as that the women speaking to one another must do so for at least sixty seconds, that both of the female characters must be named, and/or that in addition to not talking about men, the interacting female characters should also not be talking about marriage or babies.
I've never been one to buy into heavy-duty literary theory, analysis, or reading into every nuance of a story looking for a deeper commentary on social issues, but I think there's also a point when the evidence is pretty overwhelming and we really have to examine the kinds of stories we tell if we want to continue to write progressive fiction that stays current with or even advances our perception of society. While there's still a long way to go toward true gender equality, women have made incredible advancements in status and accomplishments over the past several decades. And that makes it seems all the sadder and more antiquated that much of our fiction still relegates women to the supporting roles where their only purpose is in relation to a male character, where sometimes they aren't even named or don't do anything other that react.
When you're crafting your next mystery, consider the roles your characters play. We put such a premium on coming up with dynamic, engaging, and unique protagonists... and even when those protagonists are female themselves, shouldn't they be interacting with other female characters who are all those things too? Characters who are as complex and individualized as real women? Don't think of this as a condemnation of current trends in fiction... think of it more as an opportunity to start (or continue, if you're already on the right track!) portraying women characters in a more interesting and progressive way.
Besides, you never know; in the effort to create a more accurate representation of fictional women, you might also find a new and inventive way of approaching a conflict or situation. Women and men have a fundamentally different approach to thinking, problem-solving, learning, and their perceptions of the world around them. It's been proven time and time again in studies; we're just wired differently. Writers need to understand those differences because they're the kinds of things that could make the same story drastically different depending on the protagonist we're following. One of the horror stories I was told in film school was from my screenwriting professor who was in a meeting where they decided to change the female protagonist to a male and the executive couldn't believe it would take more than a couple days to address the change. "What's the big deal?" he complained. "All you have to do is change all the 'she's' to 'he's' and you're done!" 
What that executive failed to understand is that men and women aren't interchangeable. Swapping the gender of your protagonist fundamentally changes the way that character will approach each situation in the story. They'll act, interact, and react differently.
With that in mind, take the time to make careful decisions about the gender of the characters you're writing. Not only is it important to feature women in key roles in your writing, but it also affords you an opportunity to create a memorable and unique character rather than a stereotype.
Does the antagonistic military general always have to be a man? Think about how difficult it would be for a woman to thrive and reach that prestigious position of authority in the Armed Forces, and how that would inform her character... she sounds a lot more interesting than your typical grizzled war vet turned desk jockey.
Does the sleazy, successful defense attorney have to be a man? Think about how differently a woman would approach a case if the client she was defending were accused of spousal abuse, or sexual abuse. It would bring an entirely different dynamic to how she interacts with her client and the case.
Does the love interest who's constantly pining about getting married and having babies and "taking the relationship to the next level" always have to be a woman? Think about how drastically different a relationship would be if the guy were the stereotypical "clingy" one while the woman was a successful professional trying to live her life to the fullest and worrying about being tied down to one guy her whole life.
The possibilities are endless. Consider taking the time to populate your stories with something other than stock characters who have predictable gender roles and who play into an antiquated set of beliefs about what those characters are supposed to "do" in a story. Push yourself to portray realistic, three-dimensional characters (both male and female) and find a whole new world of possibilities that could elevate your stories to something fresh and new that readers haven't seen too often before.
Until next time,
-- Jeff
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I encourage you to check out the following mystery items:
What little television I watched as a child was so engaging that I felt I was apart of the show. Now those memories of television past are like a walk down history. Star Trek was the highlight of the week as we watched Uhura tell everyone “we’re being hailed”, Nurse Chapel waited for Spock to ask her to dinner, and Kirk tried to seduce the woman of the week, one of whom was Joan Collins, who years later caught my attention again on Dynasty with Diahann Carroll as Blake Carrington’s half sister. This took me away from the evening news that scared me worse than the appearances of a Balok or a Talosian ever did as a child.
Welcome to the world of Advertising! Images of female bodies are everywhere. Women—and their body parts—sell everything from spices to cars.
But have you ever pondered over the gender bias in the media? Stereotypical female images are found in almost every area of television commercials. Women are grossly over-represented in the domestic role and flagrantly under-represented as sensible, capable and independent members of society.
My three year old son is a girly-boy. He loves all things girlish. His first love purple, has gradually-ated to, you guessed it, pink. I was mildly amused by his gender defying color choices, but being the mama that I am, did not fret or worry about it.
But it looks like matters wouldn’t end there for dear little Tejas. Woe be to him, he gave way to brand new twin baby sisters and I thought, lo! all things girlish will suddenly seem like a promise to my Tejas.
As mentioned in "Looking for a better world" by Stuart J. Malkin, "Gender bias is as hurtful and destructive as any other bias."
Pondering about this topic I couldn't resist but recollect a research by Amanda Chapman of D' Youville College on "Gender Bias in Education". I remember when I was in school. "Sitting in the same classroom, reading the same textbook, listening to the same teacher, boys and girls receive very different educations". (Sadker, 1994)
The feminist writing, mainly identify by its melodramatic style and ornamented language, becomes a sign of poor writing style in the professional academic realm. To be recognized as successful writers, we have to conform to the “proper” style defined by the institution, namely the patriarchal discourse of white males. We learn to be direct, analytical, logical, and concise. The emotional and sensational aspect of writing is invalidated.
Is true gender equality possible?
A significant observation of our time is that the once-distinct differences between the man and the woman have greatly decreased. With the introduction of new technology signifying the dawn of the modern era, we humans seem to be very enthused about the idea of blurring the divide of male and female sex. As a result of the oppression towards women by our ancestors in the past, the revolution of today demands a refined new practise of gender equality. The demand may be ambitious and revolutionaries may be determined in making this idea real; however such an idea of equality is most probably a futile attempt to obliterate the distinct divide of gender, clearly defined by nature itself. Although practises may change and women may take part in activities once dominated by men; the limitations such as physical, psychological, sociological and mainly historical factors have been already defined, and these cannot be changed to bring about the gender equality.
“Could you…hand me some scissors?” This is what a young teen asks on the television show, Grey’s Anatomy, when her doctor tells her that she is a hermaphrodite, a person born with both male and female parts. Having tried suicide before and not feeling as though she fits in, is how many intersexed individuals feel when then are assigned gender roles that they do not feel suits them. This brave patient proceeds to cut off her hair and assume a male identity, going from a she to a he. Gender roles are a complex system of ideals created from societal view and an individual’s disposition towards them. The physical make-up of the person directly correlates to how they are perceived and what roles are placed upon the person. After gender is established the person is socialized into a certain role. These ideas are imprinted into the person through family and the media. Once the person has established what these roles are, they psychologically react towards these roles, whether accepting them or denying them. These are the many key aspects that influence a person’s gender role. Of the three factors that create gender roles, biology is the first thing that starts this complex process.
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Feedback from my last newsletter about price tags:
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