Wonder Woman's Relationship to Feminism

The fight against sexism is not a new fight. Women have been fighting for equal rights, as well as fighting for their lives, culture, and values to be just as important as men's. On August 18, 1920, women were granted the right to vote; but this was only the beginning. From then to now, the role of women in society has significantly changed due to women standing up for their rights at protests and rallies, as well as on social media. While “The Good Wife’s Guide” focused on the promotion of the traditional gender role of women and defined appropriate emotions for women, “The Revolt of ‘Mother,’” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, represents the start of the resistance of the traditional gender role of women that we see in society today.

The book starts by introducing its thesis and supporting points, as well as the themes of feminism and birth control with evidence to support it, Wonder Woman’s secret history, “feminism made Wonder Woman” (Lepore xiii) and she remade it, therefore, her “debt is to the fictional feminist utopia and to the struggle for women’s rights” (Lepore xiii). Additionally, “her origins lies in William Moulton Marston’s past, and in the lives of the women he loved; they created Wonder Woman, too. Wonder Woman is no ordinary comic-book superhero because Marston was no ordinary man, and his family was no ordinary family. Marston was a polymath. He was an expert in deception: he invented the lie detector test. He led a secret life: had 4 children by two women; they lived together under one roof. They were masters of the art of concealment. Their favorite hiding place was the comics they produced” (Lepore xiii). And not to mention, “Wonder Woman has been fighting for women’s rights for a very long time,”(Lepore xiv) in which supported the women’s suffrage, feminist and birth control movements.

Just like many things in the United States, gender inequality has gotten a little out of hand. Gloria Steinem is a known feminist who grew up loving Wonder Woman and feels like there should be more female heroes. Throughout her essay she explains her arguments by manipulating the rhetoric situation and presenting solid claims. Gloria Steinem is not the only talented writer who is demanding to be heard. Maura Reilly gives insight to gender inequality in another entertainment source.

Throughout comic book series publication the recurring theme of female suppression is prevalent in the Wonder Woman comic book series, there are several panels of wonder woman straining against the bindings of society. The Golden Age (1930’s -1940’s) women were portrayed as damsels in distress, in almost every comic book cover a lady is tied up with a man trying to save her. Facebook’s group created a page which focuses on the portrayal of women in comics, the site summarizes women in the Golden Age as career-oriented girls. Comic book characters as Nellie the

Women have long been fighting for their right to be seen as equal to men. Even to this day, women continue to fight for their rights, things such as the right to non-gender discriminatory wages. While there may be some arguments over the state of gender equality in the modern world, it is undeniable that there have been great strides made toward recognizing the female 's worth in the workforce and as a human being. Despite these strides, however, things are still not yet ideal for women and many of the issues females face today are the very same issues that have been plaguing them for decades. While it is unfortunate the oppression of women has been so long-lived, the length of that exposure has thankfully enabled many talented writers to both lament over the fact and emphasize the need for gender equality.

For over seventy-five years there has been a character that has never left the spotlight and still makes a huge impact on everyday woman, girl, and man, and that is Wonder Woman. The woman who changed the way a reader viewed women and broke all the norms of how a woman should be seen and act. Gloria Steinem and Julie D. O’Reilly both discuss the history and the impact this character has made over the years. Gloria Steinem is a feminist journalist that has been making a huge impact since 1963.She is a woman who was more concerned with breaking the feminine norms than sticking with them. Gloria Steinem wrote an essay called Wonder Woman, published in 1995. Her essay is about the Wonder Woman’s history and the impact that the character made

The role of women in American history has evolved a great deal over the past few centuries. In less than a hundred years, the role of women has moved from housewife to highly paid corporate executive to political leader. As events in history have shaped the present world, one can find hidden in such moments, pivotal points that catapult destiny into an unforeseen direction. This paper will examine one such pivotal moment, fashioned from the fictitious character known as ‘Rosie the Riveter’ who represented the powerful working class women during World War II and how her personification has helped shape the future lives of women.

Women in America have faced gender suppression for centuries. From issues such as not being able to vote, to equal wage rights, feminists and suffragettes have fought for their place in society. During World War II, women began to shape the world around them by taking jobs in large numbers, as men had to leave their jobs to enlist. This was supported through one of America’s cultural icons, Rosie the Riveter, who represented a strong, working woman. However, once the men returned at war’s end, women were fired from their jobs. While women were praised for their work, they also changed the workplace itself, helping the United States transition out of an industrial economy. Harsh factories were given a feminine, personal touch, and the women began to break out of their dull housewife lives--until the war ended. Although World War II caused only a temporary rise in women’s employment, women changed company policies and took jobs normally reserved for men, challenging their own role as subservient housewives and permanently improving employment in the businesses that they worked.

Throughout the history of the women’s rights initiative, activists have continually struggled to endorse their cause in a inoffensive, non-derogative style. With audiences acclimated to sexist societal norms, these pioneers had to advocate their ideas with tact and caution. If they were too enthusiastic, they were received as radical. Too meak, and none would listen. Finding a balance was imperative to the success of their message. This equilibrium is excellently exemplified in Virginia Woolf’s speech, “Professions for Women,” which was delivered to the Women’s Service League in 1931. In her oration, Woolf describes her inner struggles with the patriarchy in the context of her writing career. She tries to encourage other women to

Wonder Woman comic book impacted Steinem's life when she was a little girl because it influenced her into becoming a very popular feminist activist. Wonder Woman impacted Steinem's view of how independence, qualities and equality of a good role female model are. In addition, Wonder Woman help Steinem understanding the ways men and women view action heroes. Wonder Woman influenced Steinem's life by implanting the independence in herself because comic book was the first thing Steinem purchased from her own money (455). I think Steinem was proud that she was able to purchase the book that she loved from her own money, because buying something without the interference of adults make not just Steinem but any kid feel somewhat powerful and independent.

It should be noted that Marston had been considered as a feminist. He found that world would be been more peaceful if female values were cherished and if men were willing to accept women as equals . The creation of Wonder Woman was to counter what Marston perceived as an overly masculine-dominated world . She served as a role model for not only little girls but for adults as well. According to DiPaolo’s book, War, Politics and Superheroes:

Who doesn’t love a good superhero? The perfect figure, the spandex suit, the flowing cape, flawless looks, and the powers we can only dream of having. Superheroes have been around for ages now, leaving an everlasting imprint on our hearts. It is no secret that males dominate the superhero industry; both the heroes themselves and those who create them. Superman, Batman, Ironman, and Spiderman have become the top heroes of all time; there is nothing wrong with them holding the spotlight, but female heroes are underrepresented. There are notable female heroes, but they tend to be drawn with a busty figure that few women are naturally blessed with, and show little emotional rational in fights. Take Black Widow (Marvel) for example, anyone would love for her figure and kick-ass moves. Wonder Woman is our hero of the hour, she has made her way onto the big screen; casting her into the spotlight more than ever. She screams fights for love, promotes peace, is a beacon of hope, and screams feminism. What’s not to love? The new movie released on June 2, 2017, has called more attention to the American-spirited, Amazonian woman than ever before. The movie is the first fully female directed movie, Patty Jenkins brings a great female to the big screen. Although the movie is great and supports feminism, is the movie the depiction of Wonder Woman that should be idealized?

In the 1970s, 30 years after the creation of Wonder Woman. The “New Wonder Woman” came out as a totally different character in its comic series. She took off her classic costume and her bracelets to wear as a modern girl. Losing power means losing the Wonder Woman spirit for lots of Wonder Woman fans. Wonder Woman made her first appearance in the 1974 Wonder Woman movie. As the first live- action appearance of Wonder Woman, American actress Cathy Lee Crosby presented a Wonder Woman with short and blonde hair who wears blue and red gymsuit, which disappointed even more Wonder Woman fans, and it only had 4.8 out of 10 for rating on IMDB. People bemoaned at the New Wonder Woman in both TV and comics because a modern and non-powered fashion girl was not the Wonder Woman who used to

To some, wonder woman is regarded as a feminist icon. However, O’Reilly does not believe so because of the submissive themes that her creator included in the comics.

“Wonder Woman is a walking- and sometimes flying- paradox of attributions and images. She is, at once, a female sex symbol and feminist icon: physically vulnerable, morally virtuous, financially independent, self-determining, and, in tune with her womanly ways, self-sacrificing” (Wright 6). Wonder Woman was created by William Marston in order to show and achieve women empowerment. At the time that Wonder Woman was assembled, there were no women superheroes. The only superheroes that were created at the time were powerful, strong, fully-clothed, white, males. Even though Wonder Woman is just as powerful and important as other male superheroes, she is often easily centered out from other superheroes because of her physique, lack of clothes,