Which challenges does the mere concept of pursuing playing chess as a woman involve? Can chess be seen as a metaphor the series' creators wish to convey? Subsequently, the perspective of the creators of the series will be taken into account, specifically focusing on the portrayal of feminine characters in "The Queen's Gambit".
"The Queen's Gambit" is a 2020 American Netflix miniseries based on the 1983 novel by Walter Tevis. The story follows the life of Beth, a smart girl who seems to have ambitions that were too high for a girl in the 1950's. Her story depicts a constant battle on her beloved chess field, but also on the grounds of a conservative society that does not make it easy for her to follow her passion.
Beth has to overcome Christian and social ideals of femininity that were prevalent at the time, both images of femininity including similar characteristics that deviate from Beth’s interests in the masculine activity of playing chess and that are discouraging women to go an individual path that diverges from an image of a supporting (Christian) housewife whose only goal is to care for their family and taking care of domestic duties.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Post-war society and culture in the US
- Femininity and what it means to (not) be feminine
- Femininity in post-war America
- Femininity according to Christian belief
- Post-war images of femininity in the series The Queen's Gambit
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor's thesis examines the depiction of femininity in post-war American society as portrayed in the series The Queen's Gambit. The goal is to analyze the series' depiction of female characters, their experiences, and their struggles with societal expectations, particularly within a middle-class environment. The study aims to understand how these depictions contribute to broader understandings of femininity during this period.
- Post-war American society and culture
- The definition and nuances of femininity
- The influence of Christianity on femininity
- The portrayal of female characters in The Queen's Gambit
- Chess as a metaphor for female agency and challenges
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter establishes the context for the thesis by discussing the unique socio-cultural landscape of post-war America, including the impact of the Cold War, consumerism, and anxieties about the Soviet Union. The series The Queen's Gambit is introduced as a valuable case study for exploring these themes.
- Post-war society and culture in the US: This chapter delves deeper into the specific cultural and societal aspects of post-war America, including the economic climate, social dynamics, and the emergence of consumerism. It also provides an overview of the historical and political context that shaped the period, including the Cold War's impact on American life.
- Femininity and what it means to (not) be feminine: This chapter examines the concept of femininity in a broader sense, exploring its various interpretations and the social expectations associated with it. The focus is on exploring how these expectations differed within a post-war context, highlighting the influence of social class and religious beliefs on femininity.
- Post-war images of femininity in the series The Queen's Gambit: This chapter analyzes the portrayal of female characters in The Queen's Gambit, focusing on how they navigate and challenge the dominant ideas of femininity within the post-war era. It delves into the characters' personal stories, choices, and experiences to uncover the various social and gender roles that emerge within the series.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This bachelor's thesis focuses on the representation of post-war images of femininity in US-American society, analyzing the series The Queen's Gambit as a case study. The key themes and concepts explored include femininity, social class, religion, gender roles, and the use of chess as a metaphor for female agency and the challenges faced by women in pursuing their passions.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2021, Post-war images of femininity in US-American society and their representation in the series "The Queen's Gambit", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1357855