Core Post - Hana Lee

In LaPlace’s analysis of Now, Voyager, examines the creation, development, and the construction of femininity,image,  and the female star. The creation, or rather, the very distinction of female stars, promotes and works in demeaning both the character in addition to the image of females with this star status. Over the years, female stars like Bette Davis have worked tirelessly to construct their own image, separate from the idealized, sexualized female figure. Bette Davis was known to the world as a hard-working, independent woman, and is one example of a star who, at the peak in her career created a persona, more relatable to the public. This is primarily due to the time it took for Davis to reach the height of her fame and the natural aging process, which allowed audiences of older generations to accept her. It’s interesting to dissect how Bette Davis, who had the potential to be a fetishsized figure within the industry, break away from the majority of female stars who were perceived less professionally than Davis.

LaPlace in addition to Dyer also touch upon the role of women in material consumption and how women play a large role in displaying wealth. This idea stems from the traditional idea of women as stay at home moms, men as bread winners, etc… But it is now interesting to look at Dyer’s perspective in relation to the changing dynamic of working women. With women like Sheryl Sandberg, author of Lean In and founder of a global movement and comedians like Ali Wong who satirize “double income households”, I question whether this question is still relevant, or actually how relevant. Though these stereotypes are still at play, I would argue that since Dyer’s dissection, women have demanded they be taken more seriously and made strides for future generations.