Abstract |Feminism, and Rhetorical Strategies of Depoliticization|
8 Bibliography only
Sample Abstract
Bibliographical information:
Rockler, Naomi R. “’Be Your Own Windkeeper’: Friends, Feminism, and Rhetorical Strategies of Depoliticization.” Women’s Studies in Communication. 29.2 (Fall 2006): 244-264. Print.
Summary of the source (100-200 words):
Rockler discusses her concern with therapeutic rhetoric and how it is an outcome of the Third Wave of feminism, which focuses on an individual woman’s right to make choices with all aspects of her life. Rockler contends that the problem with therapeutic rhetoric is that it does little to change the inequitable hierarchies that exist in our society. Rather than trying to break down systems, therapeutic rhetoric prompts women to leave the hierarchical nature of the system unchallenged and to merely change herself to rise to the top of the hierarchy. Rockler then applies this theory to the television sitcom Friends. She argues that the female characters on the program exhibit behaviors and philosophies that directly fall in line with therapeutic rhetoric.
Academic level of the source (e.g. general public, high school reading level, college reading level, graduate reading level):
College- to graduate-level reading
Why are you considering using this source for your paper? (100-200 words)
I noticed while analyzing Friends that while it tries to give off the impression that women have progressed in society and gained more equality, it’s actually reverting to traditional stereotypes of women. The women in the program seldom challenge these traditional roles and actually embrace them. Finding Rockler’s article was helpful because she notices some of the same details that I do, and she provides a way for me to discuss them more theoretically. I agree that the characters don’t challenge the current inequalities, and I also agree that this is a trend that is occurring in our current society as well. Even the popularity of Friends despite its regressive gender roles shows that people accept these types of stereotypes for women.
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