Feminism

 

After the Fact: “From Rosie to Lucy”

What is the main historical question driving this article?

What was the “feminine mystique” according to Friedan in her book?

Were the war years a step forward for women? Why or why not?

What was the dominate image of women during the 50s?

How did the media contribute to this image of women in the 50s?

What is the reflection hypothesis of TV?  Did it hold true?

What is the manipulation hypothesis and what were its weaknesses?
 
Why are most historians relunctant or resistance to study or give credit to  mass culture like TV?
               
Why can’t we simply analyze content of show to prove that it shaped society?

How did TV tend to demean women in their portrayal of them in the 1950s?

What makes shows like Lucy and the Honeymooners insightful?

Why could these two shows push the limits and touch on controversial messages about status of American women when most family sitcoms could not?

 

Evans, “Cracks in the Mold”

What is the meaning of the title of this article?

How did the public view feminist and feminism in the 50s?
               
What helped perpetuate or maintain the belief that women should focus on home and family?

What factors or issues would you point to as contributing to denunciation of this view or idea of women by the early 60s?
               
How did Now differ from radical feminism in its critique of society?

Why, according to Evans, was it not remarkable that young women led this change or attack?
 

               
Douglas, “Genies and Witches”

How does she explain the creation of shows like Jeanie or Bewitched?
               
How were these women on TV less threatening or were they?