The Role of Women

Paper Summary:

The paper explores themes about women in "The Princess Bride" and in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in order to identify how women's roles are portrayed and what the social implications of the film's messages might be. The paper shows how the two films portray distinctly different themes about women's nature and roles. The paper looks at the traditional view of women as portrayed in "The Princess Bride." The paper relates that the women are always sweet and kind, non-assertive and self-sacrificing. The paper contrasts this to the ideal woman in "Harry Potter" who is self-reliant, intellectually the equal of men, better educated and assertive.

From the Paper:

"Communication, or rhetoric, is a symbolic process humans use to share meaning and create reality. Sonja Foss (1989) explains fantasy theme criticism as a way to approach and analyze rhetoric. The word fantasy as used in fantasy theme criticism does not mean something someone dreamed up or something untrue. Fantasy in this case refers to themes that explain and order reality. When these themes are articulated or when we encounter them in rhetoric, they produce a sense of resonance in others who recognize them."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Foss, S. K. (1989). Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.

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