Norma Rae

Overall I enjoyed the film. I was shocked by Norma’s strength despite all of her misfortunes. I found it extremely compelling, the way in which Reuben and Norma were represented in the film. Although Norma was not nearly as cultured or educated as Reuben she demonstrates the most toughness, determination and grit to get the labor unions organized in her town. Although Reuben has the labor union organizers on his back to succeed at his job, Norma arguable has much more at stake. She is stuck in a town where the only work available is a job at the cotton mill. In addition to this Norma has an overprotective father to deal with and two children to support. Throughout the film Norma is living under the stipulations of traditional gender roles. Her father feels the need to protect her to which Norma replies “Daddy, your loving me to death.” Similarly her husband Sonny calls into question her motives for staying at Reuben’s office. Norma turns this concern into laughter by doing a mocking rendition of feminine chores around the house. It is clear that she feels stifled with traditional and stereotypical gender roles.
Her goal is solely to improve the life of her children which is integral to encouraging their education, continuing to save money from her job, and changing the work environment at the factory. Throughout the film the audience witnesses Norma attempting to do all three, by encouraging a strict homework routine, putting in long hours at the factory and spending her extra time promoting the labor unions in her small town. Reuben, on the other hand, does not have any dependents. Although Reuben is willing to stand up to labor union management for Norma’s sake, he never takes risks as large as Norma does within the film because he does not have as much at risk. Norma’s ability to successfully dismiss the limitations of traditional gender roles allows her character to not only achieve her goals, but also to improve the quality of life for her town and her children.

Legally Blonde

Overall I enjoyed the film.  Although degrading constructions of femininity were included, the end of the movie worked to empower women by working with these constructions of femininity in a realistic and positive way.  In modern society it is impossible to ignore the message that women should strive to be beautiful.  The idea that women are valued at their level of beauty is a deeply rooted message rooted in mainstream media as well as a plethora of other sources.  Although Legally Blonde presents constructions of this mentality, the take away message is that women do not receive fulfillment from superficial goals.  The joy Elle receives at the end of the film comes from her ability to use her wit to right a wrong in court.  She is empowered by the fact that she has moved on from Warner to pursue a man who  loves and admires her for who she is and not solely how she looks.  Along with Elle, Vivian also finds happiness after leaving Warner when she discovers he would have gotten back together with Elle after she had successfully proven herself worthy of marrying a man of his status.  Paulette is also elated by the fact that her and the UPS man are married and expecting their first child.  In this instance, an attractive man had looked beyond Paulette's physical shortcomings and found a woman he was proud to spend the rest of his life nurturing.  Those who doubted Elle's potential meet a bleak end as Mr. Callaghan is fired from a prominent case and loses Emmett as an employee, and Warner graduates without honors, a girlfriend, or any job offers.  On graduation, Elle is elected class speaker and makes the case that above all else you have to believe in yourself.  With this sentiment, she looks forward to an evening proposal by Emmett and a job offer from one of Boston's most prestigious law firms.