Gender Roles

In Aliens, there seems to be multiple outlines found in society. One of the main ones being gender stereotype, which includes some competitiveness and motherly instincts. There also seems to be the whole “women should leave the big tasks to guys”.  I feel like the use of the military was a small-scale version of our society. Each character played a role found in our society today. We eventually witness some characters gradually fall and break into pieces, then distinguish what is truly there. The film overall illustrates to us that women do not need to be seen or made out as inferior, instead of being depicted below, we should view them as they grow in character and individuals.

Initially it is clear in the film that there is some sort of male superiority and arrogance displayed. Ripley is not taken seriously on her thoughts and opinions. Although she seems to be pretty clear-headed and unemotional. Both Ripley and Lambert go by their last name instead of first. Ripley is the more rational one, in my opinion, who follows rules and procedures. Meanwhile Lambert seems more irrational and tends to be emotional. Hudson seems to be the most egotistical person who also winds up being one of the ones that fall and break into pieces, like I had mentioned earlier.  It seems that the characters may have some sort of representation of the limitations we battle daily in our world.

Even in Dracula, set in a time period where females had small gender roles. The Victorian culture seemed to subdue women and their value. They seemed to be thought of to be “pure” and “virginal”. However, I feel like Stoker illustrated a different side of women which wasn’t the norm back then. Qualities that were more empowering and better.

I feel like there are a few main characters who are actually shown in ways where the whole gender role thing is flipped/reversed. Mina seems to be a modern woman with some traditional characteristics. I feel a good part is when, at certain times, she is considered to be like one of the regular guys in the group; helping plan out scenarios and ideas to counter the chaos. She seems to be stable and independent. Harker seems to be a target in pretty pathetic and sometimes feminine situations, including the time he is captured by Dracula’s brides, and his way of handling the situation. I feel the Count pushes the lines of sexuality with the way he carries himself especially attitude wise. One part that sticks out to me is when he serves dinner to Harker, instead of the brides. He also seems to use deception and certain techniques to seduce people. It seems back then in Victorian culture, women were the ones who would use deception/seduction and clever plans while the men would typically use their strength and knowledge to get what they want.

Grendel and his BFF Burke

While watching the film Aliens, it is easy to link these hideous beings with Grendel purely because of the monster element. While they may be similar in the sense of being violent, murderous and having a protective mommy that tries to save the day, the person who matches Grendel in an emotional sense is Burke. It is clear that Burke doesn’t physically look like a monster and is actually a well-dressed, clean cut business man, but his emotional state is so terrifying it basically makes him worse than a monster. He’s calculating, deceitful, and a complete traitor. Grendel never betrayed his own kind for his benefit, so which one is actually worse here?

http://avp.wikia.com/wiki/File:Aliens_Burke.jpg

At the beginning, Burke makes it seem like he wants to befriend Ripley and even offers her a way to get her license back, so the audience sees him as a positive influence in the movie. At the beginning of Grendel’s story, he is a child who doesn’t see to do much harm until he meets humans. He’s not so much a positive figure, but not as negative yet. In a sense, both characters are seen as harmless in the beginning of their tales. As the works progress, their true colors are shown.

For one, both characters are extremely self-centered and evil. Burke’s plans are solely surrounded around making maximum profit for himself no matter who has to die or get hurt. Grendel’s plans are purely centered on his entertainment and he also accomplishes this by destroying other people’s happiness.  It’s also quite peculiar that both of them prey on a child at some point in the story. Burke tries to impregnate Newt by locking her and Ripley in a room with the face-huggers. Grendel similarly torments kids as mentioned: “A shadow looms over them (mine) and they’re gone forever”(Gardner 142). The point is, they both have no sense of pity for the innocence of children, which basically makes them the worst people ever.

Once again, these two are eerily similar in a way much worse than killing or physically hurting people. It is far worse to be a monster in an emotional sense because usually your victim doesn’t even see you coming. It is easier to lie, betray, and abandon the people who trust you while you are planning the ways to use them for your benefit. Grendel had a little more of an upfront approach like the aliens, but emotionally, he is very connected to Burke.