Backlash: The Undeclared War against American Women Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 2: Chapters 5-6 Summary

Part 2: Chapters 5-6 Summary and Analysis

"Fatal and Fetal Visions" deals with how the movies serve the backlash. Fatal Attraction debuts in 1987, filling theaters with men screaming at the screen, "Kill that bitch!" and women sitting quietly. Hollywood joins the backlash years after absorbing the media's "trends" and magnifies them for viewers. Many factors combine to eliminate strong, complex female roles, leaving "morality tales" where good mothers win and independent women are punished. Movies can better drive home this message because they mold fiction characters rather than exhort independent women to keep quiet. In dark theaters, males work out "deep-seated resentments and fears about women". Silencing women is a feature of films in earlier backlash periods. Mae West provokes the 1934 Production Code of Ethics. Good girls like Shirley Temple replace her and other independent female stars. During World War II, strong women like Rosie the Riveter briefly shine, until a new backlash brings back...
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