Portrayal Of Female Characters Research Articles

Discourse of the Marginalized: A Critical Analysis of Mulk Raj Anand's The Old Woman and The Cow

Women have had lower social status in Indian traditional culture. The primary objective of the study is to critically evaluate Mulk Raj Anand’s novel The Old Woman and The Cow from a feminist perspective. By adopting this approach, the research aims to illuminate the marginalized voices within the narrative and explore the novel's treatment of gender, power dynamics, and societal norms. The analysis of the novel is grounded in feminist criticism, focusing on the portrayal of female characters, their agency, and the challenges they confront in a patriarchal society. The methodology involves closely examining the text, paying careful attention to character development, narrative structure, and thematic elements. The study reveals how Anand’s novel provides a platform for marginalized voices, emphasizing the resilience and agency of women in the face of adversity. It underscores the role of literature in challenging societal norms and advocating for social change.

Research on the Character Traits of Female Protagonists in Games: An Example from the Otome Games

Abstract: With the development of the game industry, the role of gender in game design has increasingly come to the fore, with particular attention being paid to the way female players are represented in games. In the domain of gaming, the otome genre, which is characterized by its distinct narrative and characterization, has garnered a significant female player base. However, for a considerable period of time, the portrayal of female characters in games has frequently been influenced by traditional gender concepts, thus resulting in the emergence of certain stereotypes and inequalities. As such, the examination of the character traits of female protagonists in otome games not only facilitates a more profound comprehension of the influence of game culture on gender perceptions, but provides insights and inspiration for the creation of games with more egalitarian and diverse gender images. In this paper, the characteristics of female protagonists in otome games developed by some Japanese game developers are analyzed, and their impact on gender equality is explored. By comparing the characteristics of the female characters across different types of games, the paper elucidates that, despite their frequent portrayal as independent, strong, and assertive, these characters are still shaped by traditional gender norms to varying degrees. Accordingly, the analysis presents recommendations for advancing more egalitarian and diverse gender images within the gaming industry.

Punishment in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s the Scarlet Letter

Author Nathaniel Hawthorne is well-known for his novel The Scarlet Letter, which was first published in the nineteenth century and is set in mid-seventeenth-century New England Boston Puritan society in the United States. Hester Prynne, the book’s protagonist, and the male and female characters that surround her Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chilling worth, Pearl, Clergymen, and others are at the centre of the narrative. In the discipline of feminist studies, the portrayal of female characters in literature is a vital topic. Feminist critics have harshly criticized the long-standing, traditional patriarchal methods of depicting women characters as patriarchal, and they are not good practices. Hester’s transgression and the resulting penalty, accordingly this study has taken into account her self-development, independence from male partners, ups and downs in the patriarchal society, and exclusion from social circles. The representation of female characters in this essay has been interpreted as a protest against the patriarchal customs that are still in place. Because the author has a position of patriarchal power, the feminist analysis of the author’s portrayal of Hester Prynne and Pearl views it as a protest against established customs.

Feminist Interpretations of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits

Isabel Allende’s novel The House of the Spirits stands as a significant work within feminist literature, offering a profound exploration of gender, power dynamics, and societal norms within the context of Chilean society. Through the intertwining stories of Clara, Blanca, and Alba, Allende navigates themes of female agency, resilience, and resistance against patriarchal constraints. This paper examines the feminist interpretations of The House of the Spirits, delving into the portrayal of female characters, the narrative structure, and the novel’s engagement with feminist discourse. By analyzing the historical and cultural context, character dynamics, and thematic richness of the novel, we uncover the ways in which Allende challenges traditional gender roles and amplifies the voices of women within the literary landscape.

Pengemasan Karakter Perempuan di Film Horor Indonesia Terlaris Periode 2017-2022

Horror films are a commercial and popular genre for Indonesian audiences. Female characters are often the main attraction of Indonesian horror films. In its development there are changes in the portrayal of female characters in Indonesian horror films in the 2000s. For this reason, this study aims to determine the packaging of female characters displayed in the 20 best-selling Indonesian horror films produced in 2017-2022. The research method used qualitative content analysis of the presentation of main and auxiliary female characters with a focus on the film's sub-genre, duration, role and characterization, and female image. The research findings show that females are starting to be represented as progressively formulated characters. This means that females are still used as prominent main characters in the story. However, in different packaging, among others, the role of females is transformed into fighters and protagonists. The characterization of female characters is made more substantive by raising new story standards, supported by an aesthetic cinematographic style. The mecca of content based on family issues, cultural myths, and social themes is a new standard of story quality in Indonesian horror films.

Nineteenth-Century Richard Wagner: Unconventional Female Roles and Emerging Feminist Discourse

Operas of the 19th century adhered to realism, often drawing inspiration from real-life situations. In the social context of the era, women were often relegated to positions of weakness and lacked societal status, rendering them subject to the scrutiny of male perspectives. However, Richard Wagner's operas distinguished themselves by endowing female characters with prominence and authority. This article seeks to investigate Wagner's effective empowerment of women, focusing on the plot and role analysis of Brnnhilde, the female character from "Die Walkre." Subsequently, a combination of document analysis and literature review are synthesized, showing the diverse perspectives of scholars who have examined Wagner's individualism and his portrayal of female characters in his operas. Ultimately, it is apparent that the formidable female figures in Wagner's operas boldly challenge prevailing social norms, embodying the essence of love and redemption. While scholars hold varying interpretations regarding Wagner's approach to feminism, it is irrefutable that these non-traditional female characters occupy central positions in his works, infused with profound emotions and at the core of dramatic storytelling.

The Portrayal of Female Characters in Ernest Hemingway's Works

The Portrayal of Female Characters in Ernest Hemingway's Works

Queer(ed) Bodies: Subversive Sexualities and Gender Identities in Shakespeare’s As You Like It

As far as Shakespeare’s comedies are concerned, a recurring topic is the exploration of love via the portrayal of gender role transformations and the cross-dressing of female characters. This often involves the depiction of power dynamics between male and female characters, which may be seen as alluding to homoerotic relationships and transgressions of gender roles. Shakespeare, in his play As You Like It, reveals the reformulation and deconstruction of established and logocentric gender roles and sexuality, where female characters adopt trans-gendered bodies, queer identities, and homoeroticism through the concept of love and cross-dressing in many respects. Likewise, the play explores the issues of gender roles and sexuality, particularly via the portrayal of female characters who assume trans-gendered identities, engage in cross-dressing, and experience homoerotic love in various ways. It can also be stated that the identity of Shakespeare is never fixed but is constructed. The fluidity of identity, sexuality, and desire in the play indeed challenges and deconstructs any basic hetero/homo, masculine/feminine dichotomy. In this context, Shakespeare effectively challenges traditional gender roles and norms by subverting them through the portrayal of male and female characters. Specifically, the female characters deviate from their expected gender roles and boundaries, resulting in the depiction of a homoerotic love triangle involving Phebe, Orlando, and Rosalind/Ganymede. As in the play, the heterosexual love between Orlando and Rosalind is subverted to a homoerotic love between Orlando and Ganymede/Rosalind, and Phebe and Ganymede/Rosalind. As a result, it can be claimed that Shakespeare’s play features transgendered sexuality and a homoerotic love triangle between male and female characters. Hence, as it has been stated, Shakespeare suggests here that, as with the title of the play, one can construct his or her gender role as she or he likes or desires, even if this sex is different.

Romanticism in Works of Su Manshu and Yu Dafu: National Characteristics

The article examines the literary movement of romanticism as a creative method employed by Su Manshu and Yu Dafu, two Chinese writers of the first half of the 20th century. The novelty of the research lies in the comparative analysis of the works of these two popular literati, whose prose had a significant influence on the formation of modern Chinese literature. It is reported that the interest of Chinese writers in romantic sentiments was fueled by their exposure to European literature through translations into Japanese and Chinese. Both writers referred to themselves as romantics, but their reasons for being drawn to this artistic method were different. Su Manshu was captivated by the new genre features, such as biographies written from the author’s perspective rather than focusing solely on historical figures, which was sanctioned by traditional literature. Yu Dafu was attracted to the romantic artistic style for its ability to employ unconventional expressive means in Chinese literature. At the same time, the romantic compositions of both writers carry markers of national identity. For Su Manshu, this is evident in the portrayal of female characters, while for Yu Dafu, it is manifested in the use of nature imagery to convey the mood of the characters. The article highlights that the development of romanticism in Chinese literature has been insufficiently studied by Russian sinologists and holds prospects for further research.

The Development of Female Roles: A Comparison between Chinese and Western Literature

This paper describes the influence of western feminism on Chinese feminist literature in the 1980s. Through the research of the history of feminist literature development and comparison between western feminist literature and Chinese feminist literature, the shortages and differences of Chinese feminist literature are revealed to promote the development of modern feminist literature. The depiction and portrayal of female characters in the literature vary greatly between Western and Chinese literature. While Western literature often reinforces the submissiveness of women and the idea of a man-centric world, Chinese female literature is marked by its revolutionary significance and close relation to the movement of democracy and women's liberation. Both Western and Chinese literature works have addressed the issue of sex workers, but with different approaches. Despite personal fights, female characters such as Marguerite Gautier challenge traditional concepts and stereotypes of sex workers in Western literature. It is important to acknowledge the impact of female authors in both Western and Chinese literature and to recognize the importance of feminism in promoting gender equality worldwide.

Female Gaze From the View of A Female Director Analysis of The Bold, The Corrupt, and The Beautiful and The Old Town Girls as Examples

Since Laura Mulvey innovated the gaze theory, European and American societies have experienced two waves of feminist revolutions, and women's social status has gradually increased. Thus in recent years, many filmmakers have begun to create films from women's perspectives, and critics have also created the term "Female Gaze" as an opposite to the term "Male Gaze". However, there has not been any clear definition so far of what the "Female Gaze" is. The film and television analysis nowadays pays more attention to the female-to-female gaze and female-to-male gaze in romantic relationships and ignores the role of female directors play in shaping the relationship of film characters, especially the non-romantic relationships between female characters. Influenced by the feminist current, China's feminist films have also made great progress. Male and female directors have created new female roles through the lens. However, the different portrayals of female characters in the female-led films reflect the differences between Male Gaze and "Female Gaze". This paper will take The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful and The Old Town Girls as examples, by analyzing these two female-led films directed by a male and a female respectively, this paper will explore the main features of "Female Gaze" in female directing films.

Ecofeminist Explorations in Jeff Vander Meer’s ‘Annihilation’: Nature, Femininity, and Agency in a Mysterious Landscape

This article delves into the ecofeminist themes present in Jeff Vander Meer’s novel "Annihilation," examining the interconnectedness of humans and nature, the portrayal of female characters, the idea of the feminine as a force of transformation, and the critique of humanity's relationship with nature. "Annihilation" challenges traditional notions of nature, femininity, and agency through its depiction of the mysterious and uncanny landscape of Area X. The novel presents nature as a powerful force that cannot be fully understood or controlled, disrupting the human-centric view of the environment. The female characters in "Annihilation" are portrayed as capable, independent, and in tune with the environment, challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. The novel also explores the idea of the feminine as a force of transformation and change, as the protagonist, the Biologist, undergoes a personal transformation in the face of the enigmatic environment of Area X. Additionally, "Annihilation" critiques humanity's relationship with nature through its portrayal of the secretive organization, the Southern Reach, which seeks to control and exploit the mysteries of Area X. Overall, this article offers an in-depth analysis of the ecofeminist themes in "Annihilation," highlighting its thought-provoking exploration of nature, femininity, and agency in a mysterious landscape.

Minik Serçe as a Contrary Example Among the Singer Films in Turkish Cinema

This article is about the Turkish film Minik Serçe (Little Sparrow, 1978), starring Sezen Aksu, one of Turkey’s most legendary female singer-songwriters. The film belongs to the category of musical “singer films” of Turkish cinema, which were popular between the 1940s and late 1980s. It is also a remake of A Star is Born (1976). The article examines the similarities and differences between the original film and the Turkish remake and compares it with another singer film from the same era Yansın Bu Dünya (1977), which falls into the category of an Arabesk singer film. Both films have similar plotlines but very different portrayals of female characters. The focus of the article is on what makes Minik Serçe stand out from the other films of its time. In doing so, it also examines the role of its auteur director Atıf Yılmaz, and the cliches of Turkish cinema from the Yeşilçam era.

Study of Portrayal Strategies for Powerful Female Images in Femvertising

The study on female image has always been a hot topic in advertising research. However, due to the positive social response of feminist advertisements, many brands have started to deliberately impose feminism on their advertisements for the purpose of attracting female audiences and gaining profits. Portrayal of women’s image in advertisements is faced with challenges and the exploration of its strategies also plays an important role in promoting its development. Therefore, this paper selected three influential representative western advertisements featured by feminism in 21st century as samples, and critically analyzed the powerful female images in the advertisements – the selection and portrayal of female characters, the development of the plot and the use of video style are all included. Compared with the perspective that the female group should be portrayed as commodities, it emphasized women’s personal values and inner pursuits. In the meanwhile, this paper discovered the new trend of positive and diverse presentation of female images, and offered new ideas and methods for future advertisers, helping them shape images of female group in two ways – the multi-dimensional way and the positive way.

Portrayal of Female Characters in Train to Pakistan: An anti-feminist and Reader-Response Perspective

The study aims at exploring the portrayal of women in “Train to Pakistan” by Khushwant Singh. It is aimed to understand the way the female characters are represented as seductress, femme fatal, and as the angels by a male author through the lens of Reader-Response Theory along with the Anti-Feminist Theory. Being an anti-feminist, Khushwant Singh has presented the women traditionally in negative roles, negating all kinds of freedom and liberation to them. The study examines the ideological assumptions of patriarchy through the representation of women as being seductive and angelic characters. The writer has presented the women as alluring and charming whose purpose is to get the attention of the men for the sake of getting money, by completely negating the lustful and manipulative nature of the men who are exploiting women by taking benefit of their weakness. He has presented Nooran as unfaithful and disloyal to her father because of having an illicit relationship with a dacoit. Haseena is presented as a sixteen-year-old prostitute, serving a man as old as her father just to get money. Juggut’s mother is a good woman who is serving her child, enduring his all kinds of disrespect, insults, and humiliations. The study proves to be significant in order to understand the general and typical view of the men towards the women as the ones whose primary and only role is to serve their male counterparts socially, physically, emotionally, and sexually and to be faithful and loyal to them.

Perpetuating Gender Bias in Children’s Cartoons: Portrayal of Female Characters in Shin Chan and Doraemon

This paper will study the portrayal of female characters in cartoons with special reference to Shin Chan and Doraemon. Through a feminist critique, the paper would discuss how gender bias is perpetuated through the gender roles assigned to the characters in these shows. Gender discrimination is perpetuated by such external factors and consolidated by the children’s communication with their friends and classmates. This paper endeavours to examine how different stereotypes of gender are pushed through the veil of “child entertainment” via the cartoons and how these issues can be addressed.

Religion and Patriarchy in Taslima Nasrin’s Lajja: An Intersectional Approach

This paper explores Taslima Nasrin’s novel Lajja from the perspective of intersectionality through the portrayal of female characters as religion and patriarchy have subjugated them in Bangladesh. Intersectionality crystalizes the dynamics of female issues regarding the tutelage that society and other institutions create for them. In the novel, the author tries to reflect these issues of intersectionalty regarding freedom of expression for both women and people in minorities and the problem of identity crises they suffer. Likewise, the religious as well as political conflicts impede the minorities group to feel liberate and find their identity. The reason behind this can be justified because the novel was banned and a fatwa was issued against Nasrin. Mainly, the focus is on how the religious and social confinements for the women and people from marginalized group made their voices unheard. This situation makes women rebel against male chauvinism and religious fanatics. As a qualitative review article, it reviews some articles relevant to Nasrin and her novel as secondary sources, her novel as primary source applying an intersectional approach, through the study of feminism and religious fanaticism as methodological tools.

Language Style of Beauty and Kencana Wungu's Position in Damarwulan Manuscript (Ethnolinguistic)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the style of language about the portrayal of female characters in Damarwulan Manuscript, namely Kencana Wungu queen. The position of women in Serat (Manuscript) Damarwulan is a very interesting part. Kencanawungu figure is a woman who is able to have power, different from the role of women found in other classical texts that only make women as Queen/king. The style of language used to describe the figure of Kencana Wungu who has the highest beauty and position is to use a panyandra (language style). Women actually have power like two blades. Women are able to destroy the world of men, but on the contrary women can also reassure the world. The study used to analyze the style of language about beauty and also the position of Kencana Wungu in Damarwulan Manuscript is an ethnolinguistic study. The method used in this study are two, namely the foundation method and ethnographic method. The foundation method is used because the object of this research is in the form of an old text, namely Damarwulan Manuscript. Ethnographic methods are used to analyze the style of language and the position of women based on Javanese cultural perspectives. This study seeks to show the style of language in expressing feelings of love and trying to describe the position of women in Damarwulan Manuscript. In addition, this research can contribute to ethnographic research, especially in the field of ancient manuscripts. Through this study, we can find out the richness of the repertoire of language styles owned by the Javanese. Javanese poets use panyandra which is related to the beauty of nature and fauna to describe the beauty of a woman. 
 Keywords: language style, beauty, female position, Damarwulan Manuscript

Life According to Popular Children's Films

This content analysis uses data gathered from the 150 top-grossing children’s animated films from 1990 to 2020 (based on North American theater sales) to examine the gender disparities and stereotypes in children’s media. The study shows that female characters are underrepresented in lead roles (14%), main gangs (28.1%), and speaking roles (27.2%). The central female characters are portrayed stereotypically. When female characters appear, they are more likely to be portrayed in a romantic and family relationship than male characters. However, films with a greater percentage of women writers are correlated with more speaking roles for female characters. The impact of media on children’s development is indisputable due to the way technology has become ingrained in day-to-day life. The lack of representation of female characters reinforces the stereotypical portrayals that negatively affect the self-esteem of girls and train boys to expect an androcentric world. The skewed and stereotypical portrayal of female characters fails to accurately represent the diversity of other parts of the world. While many of these films are produced in the West, they are widely distributed and consumed all over the world.

Gender identification in the portrayal of female roles in the remakes of American TV series in Turkey

Abstract The transfer of stories across borders in translation, adaptation, or remake is a common phenomenon in the globalized world. In Turkey, translating foreign audiovisual products to enrich the cultural repertoire has been a prominent practice. Focusing on the portrayal of female characters in contemporary remakes of several American TV series aired on primetime national channels in Turkey, this study aims to pinpoint audiovisual norms that guide the “transfer” of these characters for Turkish audience. The analysis seeks to exemplify how remakes deconstruct, reformulate, and thus (re)construct the representations of women’s identities in Turkey. The study initially concentrates on remakes as a genre, moves on to outline the practice in Turkey, and analyzes the reformulation of gender roles in line with Turkish societal norms within the scope of audiovisual translation from the gender perspective. The study singles out a series of norms that seem to guide and color the transfer of female characters in the remakes for the Turkish audience, elaborates on why it is necessary, and suggests the implications of such practices.