HOW DOES THE AVENGERS CHALLENGE TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF GENDER TO REACH A 1960's AUDIENCE?
In the 1960's Avengers, Emma Peel is represented as a strong, independent women who doesn't need to be ruled by a man, like Steed. This is getting the message out to the audience that the traditional representations of gender in the 60's is changing and that women like Peel challenge traditional stereotypes of men being in control and holding all the power, which was extremely unusual at this time as women were stereo typically house wives who catered for their husband and family. Emma Peel is portrayed as an extremely intelligent women and solves the cases on her own, often she answers back to Steed which connotes she can hold her power and will stand up for herself. For example, when Steed is in her house, he asks for coffee and instead of Peel going to get it for him she instructs him where it is so he can get it himself. This shows that Peel won't be bossed around by a man and really wants to challenge the stereotypes of the time where women were meant to do things like this for the man.
Emma Peel makes it extremely obvious that she can look after herself and doesn't need a mans help. We know this because when Steed comes into her apartment, she is fencing which portrays her as an active young women who was practising a typical 'manly' sport. When her and Steed begin fencing, she holds a fight well and isn't afraid to fight back. This was very unusual in 1960's T.V and connotes that Peel will fight for equality. During the fight, Steed taps her bottom with his fencing stick, this nowadays would be seen as sexual harassment but back in the 60's Peel didn't think anything of it and allowed him too without telling him off.
Emma Peel once again goes against female stereotypes and rather than wearing a skirt and shirt, she wears trousers to work which was seen to be a masculine thing to do. Her outfits were all very tight and flattering which could sexulaise her character. Overall, Peel fights all the stereotypes of the 60's while Steed does the complete opposite. He still expects the women to do things for him and also treats Peel as a sex object from time to time.
Mark 12 out of 15
ReplyDeleteSpelling: women= plural; woman=singular
Fluent and confident work. If you are able within the time, I would add further specific evidence, such as Peel owning her own flat and writing scientific papers (shows her as financially independent).
You should draw attention to the ways in which she shows her problem-solving (you just state it without evidence).
If you had answered all my guidance questions, you would have answered on the watershed etc.