Comments on: Grimm and the Monstrous Feminine

By: Cosa leggere nel weekend: Dan Harmon, Louie e il coming out di Jim Parsons

Cosa leggere nel weekend: Dan Harmon, Louie e il coming out di Jim Parsons — Sat, 26 May 2012 07:01:44 +0000

[…] e i personaggi femminili: Amanda Edgar evidenzia come la serie della NBC abbia dei grossi problemi nella creazione di personaggi femminili che non […]

By: Baerbel79

Baerbel79 — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:19:43 +0000

Thank you for a great post. I have been working on a three-tier class about women in procedurals, as victim, prosecutor, perpetrator, and have been thinking about the extreme stereotyping I found as well as the fantasy and science-fiction shows on cable in connection quite a bit lately.
I agree that there appears to be a clear gap between victims and “monsters” here, one deeply rooted in classic fairytales, with no bridging female characters. Both Juliette and the Fuchsbau (literally: foxes den – I have to say I do have a laugh and a problem every time they use German in such awkward and wrong ways) are positive female characters, but both are victimized REPEATEDLY. And while the Fuchsbau can heal she needs saving herself by men still.

In that way the series, which in so many ways reminds me of Supernatural, needs a female warrior on the side of the good, but that can easily turn into a much unneeded female stereotype joining the show. Maybe his mother makes the perfect female character to fill that void, who knows. But I am counting on the series renewal to bring with it inspired new writing.

Also, it seems to me that the idea of mothers you bring up is a subject on its own, and one that possibly warrants closer analysis. The suburban spider, the Hexenbiest’s dance-mom mother, and the good aunt taking on the role of mother represent that specific aspect of being a woman in many interesting ways.
Looking forward to the new season already.

By: Amanda Nell Edgar

Amanda Nell Edgar — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:50:48 +0000

Thanks for your comment! You certainly bring up a valid position here. And I’m with you regarding the healer character, who I find to be the most interesting of the show’s women — I’d love to see more of her!

My issue, and this is a beef I have with most procedurals, is that the female characters are broken into two camps — either you’re strong (in which case you are a monster with no self control) or you’re a victim (the bird character in “The Things with Feathers” would be an example, but I have also been waiting for the other shoe to drop with Juliette — she’s had a target on her back for weeks). Most procedurals at least have a woman or two on the police force to soften the dichotomy a bit!

I also find representations of women’s victimization to be a tricky area, though you make a good point about the domestic violence theme of “The Things with Feathers.” While representations of domestic violence can certainly work towards demonstrating women’s victimization by men, I think there is also a way in which the spectacle of suffering women normalizes and fictionalizes real suffering bodies (perhaps exacerbated by the bizarre visuals of that particular episode). And when sexualized violence is on display, I worry about the fetishization of suffering. . .

I also enjoy Grimm, and I think it has much to offer (even if I’m skeptical about the politics). Here’s hoping you’re right about its season two women!

By: Karen Petruska

Karen Petruska — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:10:35 +0000

I really enjoy “Grimm,” so I’m glad you are writing about it. I agree that sex is often framed through the menacing energy of female allure, but I also see characters like Nick’s aunt (who, while odd, had a good relationship with Nick) and his partner, Juliette, as attempts to balance the menace, at least in relation to Nick. The arrival of the spice shop woman has also helped move the show in a new direction, with the woman as a knower and a healer.

What do you make of the episode “The Things with Feathers,” featuring a battered girlfriend? She’s forcibly fed by the partner to nurture the egg she carries in her throat. The physical violence depicted, particularly as it is read by Nick and Juliette, reads as domestic violence. The forced feeding is a violation akin to rape, and the attention to controlling her reproductive energies a possible commentary on the medicalization of pregnancy or perhaps even a woman’s right to choose. In this way, the show also demonstrates a preoccupation with how women are victimized by men.

The gender politics is not liberatory or transgressive, but I have more hope than you that the show will develop its females in season 2.