“‘Woman Inherits the Earth‘”: Deconstructing Jurassic Park as an Early Text in Third‐Wave Feminism

Abstract

AbstractJurassic Park is popularly cited as one of the greatest science fiction films ever produced. An instant pop culture phenomenon, the film takes place in the eponymous theme park, which features genetically recreated dinosaurs as the main attractions. Although Jurassic Park's overarching theme is man's interference with nature, this essay argues that Jurassic Park also functions as an early text in third‐wave feminism, which originated in the early 1990s. As its administration is entirely male, Jurassic Park can be viewed as a patriarchal society, with its captive dinosaurs – who are all engineered to be female –serving as second‐class citizens, thus functioning as an inclusive metaphor for femininity. To support this thesis, this interpretive research essay employs a critical textual analysis of Jurassic Park, coding for specific dialogue and scenes that support a feminist interpretation of the film. This textual analysis is contrasted with a literature review consisting of relevant texts concerning the ideologies of third‐wave feminism. The ultimate goal of this essay is to assist in the normalization and promotion of feminism in popular media, especially through reexamining such a culturally enduring media text as Jurassic Park.