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  • Essay / Researching the Sexist Portrayal of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde

    IntroductionElle Woods is a white, blonde, boyfriend-obsessed, rich girl from Hollywood whose goal is to be accepted into college in law from Harvard. Although she is doubted and questioned by everyone around her, she ends up winning a remarkable court case and graduates as one of the top understudies in her group; she also feels a sense of self-worth. The film Legally Blonde deliberately introduces and markets this character to show how a "girl like that" can get away with it and prove to everyone around her, especially her ex-boyfriend, that looks and interests do not limit a woman's determination and success. However, through it all, Elle's portrayal of femininity is limited to the superficial aspects of female identity. So, even though the film seems to validate femininity and sisterhood, it paints unflattering and sexist images of women. For this reason, this research paper will attempt to answer the question: to what extent is the portrayal of Elle Woods sexist? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Ella Alexander of Harpers Bazaar argues that Elle is a feminist heroine, deliberately overcoming all the sexist stereotypes given to her by the film's creators. She says: “Regardless of outside opinion, She never conforms to what others think of her. She doesn't give in when her California peers tell her to continue a life of shopping and sorority despite working hard at Harvard, nor does she change her appearance or sunny demeanor at Harvard when others belittle her for it. However, she is growing; she learns that there is more to life than romantic happiness, that fulfillment takes many forms. In fact, it is his courage of conviction that ultimately allows him to discover the truth behind the murder case. She fights misogyny and sexism, learns to believe in herself and discovers who she is – a fiercely intelligent non-conformist who truly loves the color pink. » Legally Blonde is presented as a story about female empowerment, about this entertaining young woman who fights prejudices and stereotypes. She not only develops as an individual through education and realizes her worth, but she also tries to help everyone around her in the best way possible. Not only does this film convey the different stereotypes that most girls have to face, but it also embodies the characteristics of friendship. It portrays Elle as a woman who refuses to sacrifice her femininity to succeed. However, in doing so, the film limits the superficial aspects of female identity. The filmmakers and director position Elle as an outsider while ignoring all her privileges. In general, there are three different types of gender stereotypes. One type is personality traits. This includes “emotional” women and “emotionless” and “aggressive” men. Women also have domestic roles, meaning they cook or care for children while men work. Women are stereotyped as teachers and nurses, while men are expected to work in more professional jobs, like doctors, pilots, or in this case, lawyers. The third is the occupation, which is one of the most represented in this film. It depends on the jobs held by men and women. The last type is physical appearance. This is another important type of generalization. It includes the basic imageof a slim, beautiful, perfectly groomed woman, made up and dressed in a certain way. She falls under the fourth stereotype. However, she refuses to abandon her personal style of femininity for a career as big as being a lawyer. This film's portrayal of Elle focuses on her preoccupation with fashion and beauty, and how such limited interests are the key to her overall success. Throughout this film, women are classified into two categories: the way they look or the way they act. Either they are named who are trying their best or they are considered stupid, both are well known generalizations for women in our society today. The women in Legally Blonde who fall into the striving category are primarily women who are generally intelligent, such as Enid, Vivian, and Professor Stromwell. Each of these women are white women who are clearly highly educated, able-bodied, and upper middle class. Due to their individual roles in Elle's life throughout the film, they are presented as female characters that the audience tends to hate, due to their attitudes and intentions. Most of the "dumb" women are considered more attractive than those in the film. try hard,” so they are classified as less intelligent. The majority of women in this film who fall into this category are white, middle-class, able-bodied women. Coincidentally, almost all of them are also blonde and love shopping and getting their nails done, which in itself is another stereotype about women. When it comes to the clothing of the women in this specific category, every scene these women are in features them in clothing that shows off their bodies, compared to the women in the "try hard" category who reveal very little of their body. The women in this film are there simply for the pleasure of the men. Several incidents take place where it is obvious that Elle is seen as nothing more than an object by these men, for example, the men at Harvard Law who only let Elle in because of her oversexualized confession video. Another example is Professor Callaghan, who only let Elle work with him because he thought she would have sex with him. The men in this film are represented in two categories, but less harsh than the women, they are either the “good” ones or the “good” ones. the “bad guys”. The “good guys” spend much less time in front of a screen and wear increasingly casual clothes, describing their financial situation as lower than that of the “bad guys.” The "bad guys" spend more and more time on screen and almost wear expensive costumes, illustrating their wealth. They are considered more desirable by the female characters in the series due to their wealth and social status. She is a sweet, girly and persistent young woman. She is portrayed in a very closed-minded, stupid and fashion-obsessed light. She appears very emotional. In the scene where her boyfriend Warner breaks up with her for another, smarter girl, she cries in her sleep: “I have lost all meaning in life. » Soon after, we see her studying, working hard and applying to Harvard with the sole aim of getting him back. Another example is when she laid down with her dog and said, "I'm going to prove him wrong and get him back!" He will see! ". Once she arrived at Harvard, her mindset began to change, but when she saw Warner and his new girlfriend in class, she was devastated. "She can't have it!" Now I'm at Harvard, he should want me again! » As for Elle's physical appearance, each scene.