On the 14th of April in 1912, just at the time of first-wave feminism, the allegedly unsinkable Titanic perished in the Atlantic Ocean after running into an iceberg at full speed. It is an event that not only bothered the people at that time, but also today. This interest today is only partly based on the tragedy itself, but also on James Cameron’s screen adaptation from 1997, which is one of the most expensive ones in history. Cameron combines a catastrophe with a love story by using real and fictional characters which are formed in a way that leaves space for further interpretation. With some of his characters he also thematises the above mentioned first wave of feminism and the associated emancipation of women which is an extremely interesting topic from nowadays perspective, since equality of men and women is taken for granted in today’s society.
The elaboration at hand takes a closer look at the fictional character Rose Dewitt Bukater and the non-fictional character Molly Brown and her portrayal in the film. Both of them are analysed with regard to the new model of femininity they represent which runs against the common image of women of their time. Moreover it will be shown whether the two of them function as role models or even heroines for other people on the ship and in front of the silver screen. As a result there are two basic questions that this elaboration tries to answer: To what extent do Rose and Molly break with the common image of women at that time; to what extent do they not? And what is their character’s function in the film?
To answer this questions the first step is to give an overview about the common model of femininity in and around 1912 with a typical example given in the screen adaptation from 1997 which in this case is Rose’s mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater. It will be easier to then realize what is so striking about Rose Dewitt Bukater’s and Molly Brown’s behaviour. Thereafter, this behaviour will be described and analysed with regard to the expectations of women in the 19th and in the beginning of the 20th century. Furthermore, some dubious statements found during research in international literature are questioned. In the course of this the basic questions mentioned above will be answered.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Women at the beginning of the 20th century
- The role of women around 1912 in general
- A prototypical woman: Ruth DeWitt Bukater
- Rose DeWitt Bukater
- Rose's break with early 20th century society
- Rose as a heroine? – Her function in the film
- Fiction VS. Reality – The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Objectives and Key Themes
This elaboration analyzes the fictional character Rose DeWitt Bukater and the non-fictional character Molly Brown, as portrayed in James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic," examining their representation of a new model of femininity that challenges the societal norms of their time. The study explores the extent to which these characters break with traditional gender roles and investigates their function as role models within the film's narrative.
- The portrayal of femininity in early 20th-century society
- Rose and Molly's defiance of traditional gender roles
- The characters' roles as potential heroines or role models
- A comparison between the fictional representation and historical reality
- The impact of first-wave feminism on the characters' development
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the scene by referencing the sinking of the Titanic and James Cameron's film adaptation. It establishes the central research question: to what extent do Rose and Molly challenge the conventional image of women in the early 20th century, and what is their function within the film? The chapter outlines the methodology, focusing on an analysis of Rose and Molly's behaviour against the backdrop of societal expectations for women at the time, and also mentions the questioning of dubious statements found during research.
Women at the beginning of the twentieth century: This chapter establishes the context by outlining the societal constraints on women in the early 20th century. It draws on scholarly sources to depict the limited roles available to women, confined primarily to domesticity and subservience to their husbands. The chapter highlights the lack of educational opportunities and the societal pressure to view sex solely as a means of procreation within marriage. The chapter also briefly introduces the first wave of feminism as a counterpoint to these restrictive norms, foreshadowing the characters’ potential challenges to this status quo.
Rose DeWitt Bukater: This section delves into a detailed analysis of Rose, focusing on how her actions and choices challenge or uphold the expectations of women at that time. The chapter will investigate the nature of Rose's rebellion against her mother's traditional views and the broader societal pressures. It will also look at the film's narrative to support the claim that Rose represents a shift in the accepted role of women, showcasing her agency and her defiance of traditional societal constructs. It will further explore her relationship with Cal Hockley, emphasizing her rejection of a pre-arranged marriage as another demonstration of her rebellion.
Fiction VS. Reality – The Unsinkable Molly Brown: This chapter will analyze the portrayal of Molly Brown in the film, contrasting her fictional representation with historical accounts of her life. The chapter explores the extent to which Molly Brown's actions and personality aligned with, or deviated from, the expected behavior of women at the time. It will also analyze her strength, independence, and social activism within the context of the film's narrative. It will analyze the character's function within the broader story arc, possibly highlighting her significance as an independent and self-reliant female figure. The comparison with Rose’s character might illustrate differing approaches to challenging gender roles within the same historical context.
Keywords
Femininity, early 20th-century gender roles, Titanic, Rose DeWitt Bukater, Molly Brown, first-wave feminism, societal expectations, female agency, role models, historical context, film analysis.
FAQ: Analysis of Female Characters in James Cameron's "Titanic"
What is the overall focus of this academic analysis?
This analysis examines the portrayal of femininity in James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic," focusing on the characters Rose DeWitt Bukater (fictional) and Molly Brown (based on a real person). It explores how these characters challenge or uphold societal norms for women in the early 20th century and assesses their function as potential role models within the film's narrative.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include the depiction of femininity in early 20th-century society; Rose and Molly's defiance (or adherence to) traditional gender roles; their potential as heroines or role models; a comparison between their fictional and historical realities; and the impact of first-wave feminism on their development.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents covers an introduction, a section on women at the beginning of the 20th century (including a general overview and a focus on Rose as a prototypical woman), a section specifically on Rose DeWitt Bukater and her actions, and finally, a comparison between the fictional Molly Brown and her real-life counterpart.
How are the characters Rose and Molly analyzed?
The analysis delves into the actions and choices of Rose and Molly, comparing them to the societal expectations of women during the early 20th century. It examines Rose's rebellion against her family and societal pressures, including her rejection of an arranged marriage. For Molly Brown, the analysis contrasts her fictional portrayal with historical accounts, assessing her independence, strength, and social activism within the context of the film and historical reality.
What is the methodology of this analysis?
The analysis uses a close reading of the film "Titanic," interpreting the characters' behaviors against the backdrop of historical understanding of early 20th-century societal expectations for women. The study acknowledges and addresses any questionable information encountered during the research process.
What is the role of first-wave feminism in this analysis?
First-wave feminism serves as a crucial context for understanding the characters' potential challenges to the status quo. The analysis considers how the broader social and political climate influenced the development and actions of Rose and Molly.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the research question and methodology. The chapter on women at the beginning of the 20th century sets the historical context. The sections on Rose and Molly provide detailed analyses of their characters, highlighting their actions and their implications for societal norms. The final chapter compares the fictional Molly Brown with historical accounts of her life.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords include femininity, early 20th-century gender roles, Titanic, Rose DeWitt Bukater, Molly Brown, first-wave feminism, societal expectations, female agency, role models, historical context, and film analysis.
- Citar trabajo
- Kathrin Hellmann (Autor), 2014, Strong women in "Titanic". Rose DeWitt Bukater's and Molly Brown's break with the typical 20th century female image, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/342098
