Legally Blonde Analysis

Humorous, energetic, enjoyable and all-around fun, Legally Blonde: The Musical captured my attention from the get-go. This comical yet heartwarming musical portrays the story of a young woman following an ex-love to Harvard Law School only to realize the potential she possessed within herself and in the new life she creates for her own. After viewing this hit Broadway production, I am fascinated with how this theatre play was brought to life on stage with the lighting, sound, spacing and overall entertainment from the cast to the costumes. Altogether, this play is one of my all-time favorite productions and it is one that keeps my attention from the moment it takes off to the closing of the curtain at the end.

She’s beautiful when She’s Angry tells the story of the women's movement from 1966-1973. This documentary tells a story through the use of footage, photographs and interviews from the women who helped shape second wave feminism. There were a few key players during that time, such as Kate Millett, Susan Brownmiller, Frances Beal, and Betty Friedan. Throughout She’s Beautiful when She’s Angry these women discuss issues that were problematic during this time period, most of which still are today. A few examples are child care, rape, birth control, and the right to not get married and start a family. This historical overview of this time period reminds us that feminists continue to fight for many of the same rights, fifty years later.

The 2001 comedy film Legally Blonde tells the story of Elle Woods, an upbeat and optimistic sorority girl who, over the course of the movie, transitions from a simple college student with few professional aspirations into a successful law student. Elle initially presents herself as a stereotypical sorority girl: vain, superficial, and self-obsessed. As such, she consistently faces discrimination from her friends, family, and colleagues alike. The film wants the audience to view Elle as a woman who rises up above the stereotype through hard work and intelligence, and who proves herself as a capable individual in a discriminatory society. Because of this, some view Elle as a feminist icon, a person who empowers women to achieve equality to

"I don't need back-ups. I'm going to Harvard." With this line Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) begin begins her journey to Harvard law in the iconic movie Legally Blonde. This movie follows Elle's progression from sorority girl to Harvard law graduate. After her future is shaken by an unexpected breakup she decides the best way to get her love back is to head to Harvard after him. However, through some unexpected turns, hard work, and hard lessons, she comes out stronger and more accomplished that she could have ever expected. This fun loving movie has many things to offer including a title that clues the audience in on the theme, a well picked lead actress, and a good message.

Elle doesn’t fit the misogynist prospect of submissive femininity. She is loud, emotional, and flamboyant. When she enters a room with the clacking of her bright pink heels, Chihuahua in arm, beaming and effusive, you cannot ignore her. Elle’s bubbliness and enthusiasm is often disdained, especially in the legal world, but she continues to express her true self. She is unapologetic about being attractive, sexual and caring about her appearance. She does not stop being stereotypically “girly” despite that it makes others think she is less legitimate and intelligent. She proves that “sexy” and “smart” are not opposing forces. Elle is the perfect example of how being feminine does not mean you submit to patriarchal notion of submissiveness.

Jolene emulates the stereotype that all feminists are man-haters and/or lesbians, but this stereotype becomes problematic when she meets Hodie. Hodie is one of the most successful relationships Jolene has during her entire road trip west, but because she does not feel the urge to identify as a lesbian after having sex with Hodie, she complicates the stereotypes inflicted upon feminists. She attacks second and third wave feminism for its instability in categorizing identity, which innately allows men to reaffirm their power over women. Jolene is relieved that she did not wake up feeling like she needed to submerge herself into the “lesbian gang” (Lopez 251), because categorizing as a particular sex would mean she is also succumbing to a certain role or identity—defying every reason for her travels on the road. Second wave feminism includes those radical feminists who refused to share power with men, and held protests to abolish the notion of power. They were those who “wave DOWN WITH THE PATRIARCHY signs in the air” (Lopez 251) and hold speak outs. Third wave feminists embrace either clichéd or stereotypical notions of femininity, which could include as Jolene points out, “subscrib[ing] to lesbian magazines, wear[ing] flannel shirts,” or “watch[ing] bad lesbian movies to see myself represented” (Lopez 251). She is relieved because she knows what it feels like to submerge herself into a certain role in order to fit into that role, because that is what happens with Bert.

After women won the right to vote, the second wave of feminism began in the 1960s and continued on to the 90’s. This wave was highly associated with the anti-war and civil rights movement and the movement started growing conscious to a variety of minority groups all over the world. Out of three waves, the second wave’s voice was increasingly radical and theoretical as sexuality and reproductive rights were dominant issues. Protest began in Atlantic City in 1968 and 1969 against the Miss America Pageant. Many activists thought it to be a degrading “cattle parade” that reduced women to only objects produced by the patriarchy. Along with fighting against sexism in cartoons and politics, second wave feminists found their voice among other movements such as Civil Rights and the Anti-War movement. While the first wave was fought by middle class white women, the second wave invited and incorporated women of color and developing nations demonstrating that race, class, and gender oppression were all related and seeking sisterhood and solidarity (Rampton).

The Third Wave was also seen as originating from the 1990’s post-feminist movement. The goals of the First movement were met, such as voting and property rights, as well as the Second Wave’s goals of equality in the workplace and reproductive rights. Thus, the goals of feminists were seemingly accomplished, and the movement was considered dead.(Page 64) This caused an increase in activity from people who still felt that there were injustices that needed to be surfaced, in regards to the interconnectivity of race, class, and sexuality with feminism. The feminist movement isn’t dead yet, but where its goals and aims will lead it into the future is unknown.

“First wave” of feminism in 1920 advocated women’s suffrage, whereas the “Second wave” targets the societal issues that women in the 21st century are facing. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminists Mystique after World War II exposing female repression and later founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) which ignited the second wave of the feminist movement. Consequently, it became noticeable that women were in multiple wars, as a result branches of feminists were formed (i.e. Liberalist, Marxist, and Socialist). Misogyny’s evolution has its own significant role in the feminist movement, stirring conversations today that affect feminist ideologies. However, in order to fully comprehend what affects second wave feminism along with the tactics utilized by feminists, one must first become acquainted with the many forms.

In cultural studies, feminism, poststructuralism and psychoanalysis are prevailing streams of thought and compulsory aspects required deeply investigation (Barker, 2008), then based on the researching about the information in these aspects, it’s going to explore and analyze the questions raised in the foregoing. Though feminism or feminist movement has experienced a long transformation in

The idea of “Feminism” is seen in the eyes of many as “women who want to be more masculine” whenever its true meaning is just women who want equality and the same respect and opportunities that men have. This belief has been built up over time through many different perspectives which is why it had turned into the negative idea of what it is. This idea of “Feminism” affected the social hierarchy and system where people were categorized based upon their sex and the social impact it made created and resolved multiple social issues. The idea of “Feminism” impacted the interactions between men and women and the morals of society and through this created power in women as well introduce a long needed new peace amongst the sexes.

Feminism has become the great issue in this modern era. The emerging of second wave feminism in the late 60s had bring a huge impact toward the position of women in the society. Women are free from the male values, while women have the equal rights in politic. Women also can quit from their domestic sphere. The movement of feminism still continues in the early 90s. The women’s movement experience a phase which the ideology of feminism had changed to be Third Wave Feminism. It is because the existence of poststructuralists, postmodern and postcolonial theories in that era. Third Wave Feminism focus on popular culture which has been construed as a form of post feminist backlash (Gillis and Munford ; p. 2 ,

“Legally Blonde” is a wonderful musical because the colorful scenes gives audience a visual enjoyment, and the beautiful music gives them a fresh acoustic experience. “Legally Blonde” is presented by Performance Riverside and RCC Fine & Performing Arts. It is directed and choreographed by Roger Castellano, and the musical director is Dennis Castellano. I went to watch this great show, which was performed at RCC’s Landis Performing Arts Center, on September 27,2014 at 2 p.m. I would like to comment on this musical in three ways: the plot, the design, and the acting.

Physical appearance is one of the major if not the most obvious distinguishing feature that separates men and

The movie I chose, is titled Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon. The movie follows the story of Elle Woods, who seems to have it all. With her stunning blonde hair, sorority sisters, and her rich, senator aspiring boyfriend, she’s sure to have the perfect life. Elle’s world gets turned upside down when her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, leaves her in the dust for Harvard law school in an attempt to find a “Jackie O” type of woman. Instead of the shallow, unserious, and unwise, “Marilyn”, he claims Elle to be. Feeling desperate, Elle finds her way into law school in an attempt to prove Warner wrong and win him back. She then goes on to win a spot along with Warner and his new