2. A woman’s place in society

1. 2. A woman’s place in society

2. Context • During WWII (1939-45) – women had a taste of independence - took up roles previously reserved for men • Many were reluctant to relinquish these roles when the war ended • In order to return women to domestic servitude, much of American culture reasserted importance of nuclear family and traditional gender roles – films had to reflect values of society

3. The film attempts to warn women of the inevitable emotional emptiness they’ll experience if they reject their domestic roles in pursuit of a career: “The things you drop on your way up the ladder, so you can move faster. You forget you'll need them again when you go back to being a woman*.” *Going back to being a woman = giving up career for married life

4. So even if you have a successful career, the film suggests that you still won’t feel fulfilled unless you are married “Sooner or later we've all got to work at it, no matter what other careers we've had or wanted... and, in the last analysis, nothing is any good unless you can look up just before dinner or turn around in bed - and there he is. Without that, you're not woman.”

5. How does the film show that Margo is making the wrong decision by choosing not to be a wife?She is depicted as immature

6. Emotionally immature • Margot admits,“Infants behave the way I do” • She believes her behaviour is a result of feeling “unwanted and insecure - or unloved.” • She is shown to have no proper sense of self: “So many people know me. I wish I did. I wish someone would tell be about me” Her maturation seems dependent on acceptance of Bill’s love, and rejection of her career as a means of fulfilment

7. Techniques to convey immaturity Blocking: Positioned between two figures seated taller than her – makes her appear small and childlike. +Central position emphasises her tendency to be dramatic and centre of attention = if she continues to be a star, she will never mature “Infants behave the way I do”

8. Addison on her immaturity • Addison asserts Margo is “full of self-pity” – he encourages the audience to see the self indulgent side of her paranoia Tells her “You were an unforgettable Peter Pan” • a character most noted for never growing up

9. A more mature Margo When she turns down the role of 24-year-old Cora, she is accepting her own age, and shown to be exhibiting a new maturity. “You know what I’m going to be? A married lady…I’ve finally got a life to lead. I don’t have to play parts I’m too old for - just because I've got nothing to do with my nights!”

10. “I’ve finally got a life to lead” • “I don’t have to play parts I’m too old for - just because I've got nothing to do with my nights!” • Implies her career as an actress was merely to fill the void – something to do until she was married • She was simply postponing something that was inevitable

11. Karen • Traditional, happy little housewife who supports Lloyd and defined solely in terms of her relationship with him “just a playwright's wife”

12. Karen • Attempts to assert herself “You are not to consider giving that contemptible little worm the part of ‘Cora.’” “It strikes me that Eve's disloyalty and ingratitude must be contagious!” “Just refer all of Miss Harrington's future requests to me” Technique - Costume

13. Karen • But ultimately holds little power over Lloyd “Lloyd never got around, somehow - to asking me whether it was all right with me for Eve to play ‘Cora’” And Blames herself for his unfaithful behaviour: “…that helplessness you feel when you have no talent to offer - outside of loving your husband. How could I compete? Everything Lloyd loved about me, he had gotten used to long ago...”

14. She accepts her husbands infidelity “I thought it might be best if I skipped rehearsals from then on” • Because it is still more fulfilling being with a cheating husband, than no husband at all, especially when you have “no talent to offer”

15. Eve – symbol of female ambition Portrayed as underhanded and malignant to achieve her goal“I'd do much more for a part that good.”Is ultimately punished by being forced into her unhappy relationship with Addison Achieves what she set out to, but cannot enjoy it

16. Being forced into this relationship with a man, might be particularly punishing to Eve: "It's after one now. You won't get home till all hours"

17. Eve – a warning to women • So the film tries to portray women who are ambitious as evil. • And their punishment is the denial of a happy marriage (which we know is the ultimate reward)“you belong to me”

18. 2. A woman’s place in society - Summary • What should women aim for? • Are there any exceptions? • What happens to them if they have other ambitions?

19. Group Discussion – The film’s message about a woman’s role • Is the film simply revealing that these attitudes exist, or is it attempting to perpetuate them? • Compare how audiences at the time might have interpreted the values of the film compared to modern viewers • ‘Women and ageing’ and their ‘role in society’ – how are these two ideas connected?

20. Application – quick write • Choose a character: Eve, Margo, or Karen Write a paragraph on how this character is used to express ideas about a woman’s role in society Topic sentence help…The character ____________ is employed to convey the idea that…

21. Return to Goal To understand the film’s message about gender roles /4