“I Think I Can Handle Myself”: Women, Star Wars, and the Philosophy of the ‘Mary Sue’
Publication Title
“I Think I Can Handle Myself”: Women, Star Wars, and the Philosophy of the ‘Mary Sue’
Publication Date
Fall 12-7-2019
Major
Digital Media: Transmedia Communications
Faculty Mentor
Amber Forcey
Disciplines
Feminist Philosophy | Film and Media Studies | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Women's Studies
Citation
Shelley, Meagan. “I Think I Can Handle Myself”: Women, Star Wars, and the Philosophy of the ‘Mary Sue.’" 2 Dec. 2019, pp. 1–9.
Abstract
The motion picture is one of the most influential forms of mass media in the world today. The nuances in which a particular group is portrayed, particularly a female demographic, will have a large effect on the population and their ability to understand themselves and their personal identity development. In response to this, Disney's Star Wars franchise has begun a strong campaign representing their views of female empowerment within the most recent films. However, the aspects of femininity that this series condones may not necessarily be the true form of female empowerment. Star Wars' portrayal of the 'Mary Sue,' or perfect female character, is found to be an irresponsible and inaccurate representation of the modern empowered woman.
