A feminist analysis of Firefly

[denny]

Reposting this link from a friends-only post elsewhere: I have to say that now that I have subjected myself to the horror that is Firefly, I really am beyond worried about how much men hate us, given that this was written by a man who calls himself a feminist.


Highlights:

* The first scene opens in a war with Mal and Zoe. Zoe runs around calling Mal ‘sir’ and taking orders off him. I roll my eyes. Not a good start.

* Zoe is not shown to have a personality of her own. (we interrupt your edited highlights for a hysterical giggling fit)

* Given the fact that women are largely absent from the action and the dialogue of the majority of scenes it is unsurprising that the action onscreen is highly homoerotic. [...] This intense homoeroticism is present from the outset as Mal asserts his rights as alpha male on the ship. [...] Violence is a part of the landscape throughout the whole series and Mal is often the instigator. He is constantly rubbing himself up against other men ...

* The women who ‘choose’ to be ‘Companions’ are shown as being intelligent, accomplished, educated, well-respected and presumably from good families. If a woman had all of these qualities and opportunities then why the fuck would she ‘choose’ to be a man’s fuck toy? Would being a fuck toy for hundreds of men give a woman like Inara personal fulfillment? Job satisfaction? A sense of purpose? Fulfill her dreams? Ambitions? Money doesn’t seem to be the motivation behind Inara’s ‘choice’ to be a ‘Companion’, presumably she just ‘enjoys’ swanning around in ridiculous outfits. And being used as a fuck toy by men is seemingly a small price to pay for the pleasure.

* Let me just say now that I have never personally known of a healthy relationship between a white man and a woman of colour. [...] So you will forgive me for believing that the character, Wash, is a rapist and an abuser, particularly considering that he treats Zoe like an object and possession.


And from the comments:

* I think you've missed a massive bit of misogynistic symbolism. The ship itself. The ship is characterised as female throughout the series [...] The name of the ship by itself "Serenity" suggests a demure, submissive role. But, more than that, they all live off her, they all live *in* her, symbolically raping her, while staying safe and cosy inside her womb.

* I cannot think of even 1 person I know in real life who would be happy to take on the job of "Companion". [...] The argument in "Firefly" is that she wants to share her love with everyone... this is a very MALE point of view of sexuality. Not female. Women are not like that.

Comments

[uberredfraggle.livejournal.com]

We were talking about her last night. Going by other posts she lives here in Sydney right near cryx as she mentions shops and road names in this area.

I wonder if I ever walk past her in the street. Apparently she's a true lesbian which most women who sleep with women aren't. Heh.

[fayroberts.livejournal.com]

I wonder if that's "true lesbian" like some of those I've tried to go out with who turn out to be more keen to be seen as lesbians (shrill feminists) than actually, you know, liking to have sex with women.

/bitterness

[libellum.livejournal.com]

Thankfully, most of my queer lady friends are the opposite. We're all crap at the whole Being A Lesbian thing, we're just in it for the sex with the girls.

[fayroberts.livejournal.com]

This does tend to jibe rather more closely with my interpretation of "queer woman" though I know it's not a unanimous verdict.

What confuses me is the women who think they should identify as lesbian or bisexual because it's the more politically empowering and righteous thing to do. It's not a radical statement, for crying out loud; it's not a profession of support for women's rights - it's a way of putting words around liking pussy!

{grumbles incoherently}

[original-hell.livejournal.com]

well, y'know, sex is clearly an invasion of their personal space.