Written Analysis 2 The stereotypes of Xena, Buffy and Femme Nikita


Written Analysis2

                There are stereotypes and rituals present in many television shows.  The shows Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and La Femme Nikita contain many stereotypes.  All three shows are supposed to be stories of strong female characters.  These characters are meant to be role models for young women.  However, many negative stereotypes are included in these shows.  (Magoulick, 2006)

                The first show is Xena: Warrior Princess, which is a spin-off from Hercules the Legendary Journeys. The main stereotype is that only a good character can be the focus of a successful show.  The writers decided to turn Xena’s character around and redeem her into a hero instead of the villain she began as in Hercules. Xena was a warrior fighter character that the writers’ turned into an Amazon to explain her only possible background as a strong female fighter.  There are also many rituals in this show having to do with Greek mythology. Such as virgin sacrifices and blood-letting.

                The second show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  The writers camouflaged the character as a dumb blonde cheerleader.  The character of Buffy is really a warrior with super strength.  She is trained by men to become a warrior who battles evil monsters.  There is a stereotype of a weak woman needing a man to guide her to greatness.  There are many stereotypes represented in how the many characters of high school kids and monsters are played.  There are many rituals in this show that are about religion and magic.  Such as exorcisms, which are very ritualistic.

                The last show is La Femme Nikita.  Nikita’s character is a woman who is wrongly arrested and black mailed into becoming a spy.  Many spy stereotypes are used in the show.  Such as secretive operations and spies trained in multiple languages and martial arts forms.  The weak woman character is turned into a strong female warrior by a man training her in typical spy craft.  There are rituals of showing repetitive acts like martial arts weapons practice.

                While the characters in all three shows are supposed to be feminist and supportive; the shows themselves are traditionally patriarchal.  The shows portray all the women in a way that follows the male fantasy of a woman.  The shows are directed at men instead of as a role model for women.  All these shows have stereotypes attractive to the male viewer.



 


 


 


Works Cited




Magoulick, M. (2006). Frustrating Female Heroism: Mixed Messages in Xena, Nikita, and Buffy. Popular Culture, 729.

Browne, R. B., & Browne, R. B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture: a reader. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press.

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