How Popular Fiction Reflects Debates About Gender and...

For the last few decades it is argued to what extent popular fiction reflects such things as social changes in our society and topical debates. In this paper I will discuss to what extent popular fiction reflects debates about gender and sexuality. Moreover, I will look at the difference between postfeminism and third-wave feminism, afterwards I will more closely look at Candace Bushnells book Sex and the City (1996) and relate the books ideas about woman and womans sexuality to postfeminism and third-wave feminism ideas. I will also look at cyber-feminism in relation to another chick lit - Helen Fieldings book Bridget Joness Diary (1996). In my opinion, popular fiction reflects almost everything what happens in the contemporary†¦show more content†¦To my mind, Bushnells book is and definitely were empowering for women. It encourages women to be in charge of their own lives. It has been argued that for great number of women Bushnells heroines are a role model how to live their lives, how to treat themselves and also men. Firstly, one of the ideas that is in Sex and the City and comes from third-wave feminism is that feminists can wear lip-stick, high-heals, and low cut necklines and feel like women, but not sexual objects. Pinkfloor (2005: p.20) emphasises: â€Å"It’s possible to have a push-up bra and a brain at the same time.† To my mind, it is an important point to make, because one can still be a feminist and at the same time be comfortable with their sexuality. What is more, it is an outstanding theme throughout the Bushnells book also. Bushnells heroines are confident women in all spheres of their lives, and about their sexuality as much about work or relationships. They can go to the sex club for new experiences (Sex and the City: p.10-16) or dance topless on the bar (Sex and the City: p.88-95). At the same time they have successful and respectable careers – a columnist, English journalist, movie producer, cable executive, banker and there are mentioned many more. The book also carries a strong message of female competition, which is characteristic of postfeminism. What is more, searchingShow MoreRelatedLiterary Review of Sexuality and Gender in Science Fiction Literature3057 Words   |  13 Pagesmultiple information sources to examine issues of gender and sexuality within science fiction literature. None of these sources claim to have produced a conclusive work on the interpretation of gender and sexuality in SF. Some of what I have read seems to be a general overview while some is more focused, but everything clearly references other theorists, studies and texts to back up the arguments made. 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