I am Warrior Woman, Hear Me Roar: The Challenge and Reproduction of Heteronormativity in Speculative Television Programs

• Main Author: Clark, Leisa Anne
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholar Commons 2008
• Subjects: Feminism; Second wave; Third wave; Gender; Femininity; American Studies; Arts and Humanities
• Online Access: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/179; https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1178&context=etd

This paper explores how the "warrior woman" trope in western culture, as portrayed in late 20th century science fiction/fantasy and speculative television, reflects heteronormative/heterosexist discourses of femininity in American culture. First, I will examine feminine discourse in American culture, especially in the late 20th century. Then I will discuss how the tenets of second and third wave feminism influenced western paradigms of "the ideal female" and impacted pop culture by producing "warrior women" who both reflected and challenged heteronormative ideas and feminist principles. By examining several television shows produced in the United States and Great Britain from the late 1960s to 2007, I hope to show how the warrior woman trope has grown and changed under the influence of feminism and 20th century values.