Introduction of Exploring the transformation of female characters in superhero movies

             Films are the projection of our societies and an informal source of education. Sometimes films contain content that does not relate to our societies but the continuous projection of these kinds of concepts and content can make changes in the behavior of film watchers particularly when the targeted audience is young generation and children under the age of 18. Harry porter, Avenger, wonder woman, Susan storm, Jean Gery, and black window are the famous movies of Hollywood that have strong female characters (Lightworkers. com, 2019).

              Movies project female characters as dominating, powerful, objective, and independent that usually develop attraction in the female watcher to follow up the character of these females. It would not be wrong if we say feminism is the key factor that is transforming female characters in superhero movies (Curtis & Cardo, 2018). Feminism power in the society encourages to present females characters in the movie as strong and powerful character handing with the problems and issues very quickly and easily to project that females are equally powerful and strong in real life. Before feminism power female characters were presented in a different way in the films and movies of Hollywood (O’Meara, 2016).

            The female liberation movement was started in the late 1900s that changed the overall political, social and economic life in the societies by enforcing female power in all fields of a file. The male dominant role was challenged by the films based on the female strong characters. Huge profits earned by these films are the projection of high support of society for such films (Shackelford, 2013). After the start of 21st-century female based films were presented in the cinemas with messages of female independence and empowerment in the societies. Thus time and feminism both worked as supportive factors for the transformation of female characters in superhero films. How films project female characters are highly influenced by the cultural constructions and norms of the society (BOGAROSH, 2013).  

              In the present work research proposal is developed to conduct a research study on the topic of transformation of female characters in the superhero films. Present work contains information about the research questions, research objectives and aims, problem statement, research rationale, literature review, and research methodology. The literature review will include summarized and contract review of primary and secondary research studies including research articles and books published on this topic. Followed by a literature review, the proposed research methodology is presented to elaborate on the methods and ways that will be used in the research study to reach the conclusion.

·         Problem statement of Exploring the transformation of female characters in superhero movies

         Films and cartoon movies have a significant and important role in the development of our societies and civilizations. Films and movies are the projection of society and its cultural norms or values. In our films, female characters are mostly not given positive characters (Eppler, 2018). In superhero films most of the time when two female characters talks to each other their main focus remain on the men or hero of the film. Females are given secondary roles excluding the females that are female based (e.g. Harry Potter and Avengers). Somehow, female focused films show female characters as independent, agentive, strong, intelligent, and powerful females that is mainly a projection of feminism concept (Stankiewicz & Rosselli, 2008). The research study will discuss films that are female focused and that relates to the female character in the superhero films to elaborate on the character transformation in the films. These films include films of Hollywood presented for children and to discuss social issues.

Research aims and objectives of Exploring the transformation of female characters in superhero movies

              The key objective and aims of this research study are to study and explore the transformation of female characters in superhero movies. The research aim is to reach the conclusion about what and how different factors contributed to bringing changes and transformation of female characters in superhero movies. The research study will mainly be focused on the evolution of this transformation with the passage of time. Moreover, research aim is to also study feminism role and specified cultural norms and values that have an influence on female characters in the film. The research aim is to cover all research questions while collecting research data.  

 Research questions of Exploring the transformation of female characters in superhero movies

In this section, the research question is presented. The key research questions are enlisted below:

Research Question: 1

What kind of role is given to a female artist in a superhero film?

 Research Question: 2

Is the female character main leading character in the film?

Research Question: 3

Is female character influenced by cultural artifacts?

Research Question: 4

How old and new female roles are different in superhero films?

Research Question: 5

Does feminism have an influence on female characters in superhero films?

The research will discuss all these questions in detail to research the conclusive research findings.

The rationale for the research of Exploring the transformation of female characters in superhero movies

           The female character in superhero movies is continuously changing. There are a number of factors and reasons because of which female characters are influenced and transformed. Female character transformation in superhero films was not a burning question in past therefore mainly it was not given enough attention by the researcher of mass media and communication. Somehow, now the female character is really shaped and influenced by these factors (Mann & J.Haffman, 2005). In past female role or character was not as important in the films as it is now in the present time. Now gender discrimination is totally unacceptable in modern society. Considering the importance of female character there is a need to conduct a research study on this topic of feminism and female character transformation in superhero films. There is a need to study all these factors and reasons as now it concerns with our society (Lindgren & Lelievre, 2009).

References of Exploring the transformation of female characters in superhero movies

BOGAROSH, N. A., 2013. THE PRINCESS, THE DAMSEL, AND THE SIDEKICK: WOMEN AS THE “OTHER” IN POPULAR FILMS (2000-2011). [Online]
Available at: https://research.wsulibs.wsu.edu:8443/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2376/4938/Bogarosh_wsu_0251E_10818.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Curtis, N. & Cardo, V., 2018. Superhero comics and third wave feminism. Feminist Media Studies, 18(03), pp. 763-780.

Eppler, C., 2018. Women's Perceptions of Using Short Films to Integrate Spirituality in Therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 37(04), pp. 68-80.

Lightworkers. com, 2019. ‘Captain Marvel’: Is a Superhero Movie About a Woman Automatically Feminist?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.lightworkers.com/captain-marvel-feminist/

Lindgren, S. & Lelievre, M., 2009. In the laboratory of masculinity: Renegotiating gender subjectivities in MTV’s Jackass.. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 26(05), pp. 393-410.

Mann, S. A. & J.Haffman, D., 2005. The Decentering of Second Wave Feminism and the Rise of the Third Wave*. Science & Society, 69(01), pp. 56-91.

O’Meara, J., 2016. What “The Bechdel Test” doesn’t tell us: examining women’s verbal and vocal (dis)empowerment in cinema. Feminist Media Studies, 16(06), pp. 1-4.

Shackelford, A., 2013. The Grim Reality of Female Characters in Superhero Films. [Online]
Available at: https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/11/female-characters-superhero-films/

Stankiewicz, J. & Rosselli, F., 2008. Women as sex objects and victims in advertisment. Sex roles, 58(01), pp. 579-589.