Essay Plan

How has the stereotypical representation of women changed and developed since the past, giving rise to a new and more acceptable image of a protogonsit? Paying particular reference to Ugly Betty

The question in my essay focuses on the representation of women within the media and how their image has changed and developed dramatically. To find these significant changes i will watch a number of different movies and television programmes varifying from the different era's in time to pick out the major differences between then and comtemporary society. My main focus is on the television series Ugly Betty as this is a prime example of change within society, it also focuses on contemporary images of characters. Below i have constructed a detailed essay plan that will later on help me structure my final version of the essay. This structure will allow me to form an arguement for and against my hypothesis, and come to some sort of conclusion about this whole debate.

Introduction:

• In the introduction im am going to rewrite out the question that is being asked and then state the hypothesis to show clearly to the reader what i assume the findings will be.
• I will then briefly touch upon the arguement for and against not revealing the finished conclusion to the readers.
• I will name a few theorists that look at the representation of women and look at the significant changes and the developement of their characrteristics. I'll name only the theorists that relate to my study, stating their name and not what they found
• Mulvey, Gunter, Tushmen are some theorists that i will use.
• I will also state the text that im paying particular reference to which in this case is Ugly Betty, i will give the background information so that i can later relate to this information if needed.
• Finally i will give a brief insight into the historical texts that i am going to use again breifly explaining how they link to my study.

[ Th, I, H, G ]

Paragraph 1:

• I have to make clear reference to SHEP, so that the reader can see the distinctions made clearly
• I am going to talk about the historical representation of women and discuss how it has developed before the second world war
• studies in the 1970's showed that Women were seen as "doormats", (things the men walked over).They were portrayed as obedient and very dependent on the man. Obeying and fufilling his every wish, without questioning whats right and whats wrong.
• According to marxism "women had to breed the next generation of workers and support them emotionally"
• The main image of a women in the media was that of a housewife, cooking and cleaning making sure the environment is suitable for her husband. Women had to take on this role while the husband went out to work to provide for the family as the "breadwiner".
• David Gauntlet: suggested that males were more dominant in the film industry, making it difficult for females to become successful
• Men were the more dominant characters and the decision makers, whereas women would be presented as the obedient housewife who is inferior and powerless
• I am going to use a different number of quotes and explain them in detail what they mean, making sure their is clear relation with my study.
• Historical Tv programmes that show the sterotypical image and character of a female

[ H, Th, R ]

Paragraph 2:

• Discuss points for my arguement, talk about how the characters in Ugly Betty show a change of representations of women. Paying particular reference to the main protogonist Betty Suarez.
• She is unattractive buh is still shown to be successful and popular amongst her peers
• Use MIGRAIN to fully analyse the programme, giving detailed description of each concept. I am going to use MIGRAIN to help me discuss the representtion of the character, by using each section and linking them together.

[ M, I, G, R, A, I, N, ]

Paragraph 3:

• Talk about contemporary society
• Discuss other films and TV programmes that show a similar character to Ugly Betty
• Legally blonde (2001) - Talk about the protogonist - how shes the "blonde bimbo" and is portrayed as 'dumb' and 'slow' but proves them wrong and becomes a successful lawyer. This is a change from the past as she is shown as independent and more superior and not the sterotypical character that of being a housewife and being dependent on a man.
• The devil wears parada (2006)-
• Heather (eastenders) - Shes unattractive, but has been given a leading role on this popular Tv series. She is not the stereotypical view of a women so it shows that society is changing and is now beggining to accept a newer image of a women.
• Women are no more independent financially and no longer need to wait on a man to help support her.
• waltons

Paragraph 4:

• Even though a wider range of women are becoming more acceptable, women with a perfect figure and appearance still remains important.
• Even though Ugly Betty is unattractive and is shown to be very successful, she undergoes and make over to make herself feel more comfortable and fit in within her workplace.
• Heather from Eastenders even though she has a leading role is still shown not to be taken seriosuly. She is unsuccessful with work, relationships, love and friends.
• Films and TV programmes in general still have the same similar image, that of a tall skinny girl, beautiful skin and perfect facial features.
• How it hasn't changed, Mulvey

[ Th, R, S, H ]

Conclusion:

• Restate my hypothesis
• Include my opinion, so the readers know how i feel about this topic
• Summarise my findings - to what extent it has changed and to what extent it hasn't
• Support the findings with the names of theorists

[ Th ]