The Femme Fatale Archetype: A Complex Layer of Empowerment and Criticism
As a mainstream feminist, my perspective on the femme fatale archetype in film and literature is often questioned in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. While I recognize the archetypal significance of the femme fatale, I also draw a clear distinction between the allure and critique surrounding its portrayal. This article aims to explore whether the femme fatale is empowering or sexist, or perhaps neither.
Understanding the Archetype
The femme fatale is a rich and enduring archetype that first emerged in myth and storytelling. It typically represents a seductive and alluring figure, often used as a tool to manipulate or ensnare the male protagonist. However, my approach to this archetype is grounded in the reality of human interaction, rather than fictional narratives. Personally, I do not see the femme fatale as an empowering or empowering archetype, especially when it comes to supporting my actions in real life.
Empowerment vs. Symbolic Control
While the femme fatale can be a powerful and seductive character in fiction, embracing such a persona in real life can be seen as a form of delusion. The idea of embodying an archetype, especially one with archetypal significance, is a step away from being authentic. Instead of using a fictional character to empower me or guide my actions, I rely on my own self-awareness and the boundaries between the symbolic and the real.
Embracing Reality and Critique
The femme fatale can be seen as no more sexist than any other mythical or fictional character archetype. I believe this viewpoint is echoed by Anita Sarkeesian, who, despite her criticisms of video games, often misses the mark in her analysis. Similarly, the Gamergate movement, while polarizing, offers a lesson in hypocrisy and divisiveness that is both embarrassing and disappointing.
The Importance of Realism
For me, as a parent and a teacher, it is crucial to instill a healthy understanding of the difference between the symbolic and the real in young examples and discussions of the femme fatale can lead to confusion and misinterpretations. If children develop a skewed understanding of these concepts, they might face difficulties distinguishing between fictional and real-world scenarios.
Addressing Sexism in Everyday Life
Sexism in real life is a severe and destructive issue. I am keenly aware of how it can impact individuals, particularly women. It is perplexing to me how a girl or woman could take offense at a fictional character if she lacks an understanding of the real-world implications of sexism. My approach is to focus on the tangible and real aspects of life.
Professional Experiences and Insights
In my professional life, I have managed a predominantly male team in a male-dominated industry, and I have firsthand experience with the complexities of sexism in the workplace. For instance, managing a 95% male team in an 85% male-dominated industry, I encountered sexism that targeted both female and male employees. This experience taught me the importance of recognizing and addressing gender biases.
Personal Lessons
My personal experiences also informed my professional decisions. One incident involved ridiculing and countering in-house male competition, often referred to as a "pissing contest." By doing so, I aimed to undermine the unhealthy competition and bias that permeated the team. However, my actions also contributed to a toxic work environment that eventually sabotaged the team's productivity and profitability.
Conclusion and Reflection
Ultimately, the choice between being a femme fatale and a co-operative figure like Smurfette comes down to what has the most positive impact on the individual and the community they belong to. In my case, I chose to focus on co-operation and harmony, which ultimately proved to be more beneficial.
If you want to truly understand the impact of sexism, try managing a male-dominated team and be held accountable for your actions. This personal experience offers a profound understanding of the complexities of gender dynamics and the importance of empathy and collaboration.