In the following research paper I will focus on the American TV serial “Mad Men” (AMC, 2007-now). In the course of our class we discussed several aspects of the award-winning show and I was most fascinated by the sexual politics and the dynamics of the female-male relationships of the characters. Therefore, the focus of my work will be on the gender relations within “Mad Men” and more precisely on the character of Betty Draper.
It is my aim to analyze the character of Betty within the patriarchal structures she finds herself in (chapter 3) and this analysis will be the main part of this paper. Prior to Betty’s analysis, chapter 2 serves to clarify the concepts of Second-Wave Feminism and Patriarchy since they provide the historical background and theoretical framework. The last part of the paper will be the conclusion, followed by a list of the cited works.
I hope that this term paper contributes to answering the question of how the character of Betty Draper is influenced by the patriarchal structures and gender roles of the 1960s. Finally, it is to be said that I will exclusively focus on Season 1 of “Mad Men” and that given the 6-7 page maximum a more in-depth analysis would be possible.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Second-Wave Feminism and the concept of Patriarchy
- Betty Draper within patriarchal structures
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper examines the American TV serial "Mad Men" (AMC, 2007-now) through the lens of second-wave feminism, focusing on the character of Betty Draper and her experiences within patriarchal structures. The paper aims to analyze how Betty's character is shaped by the prevailing gender roles and societal expectations of the 1960s.
- Second-wave feminism and its key issues
- The concept of patriarchy and its impact on gender relations
- Betty Draper's portrayal within the patriarchal framework of "Mad Men"
- The challenges faced by women in achieving equality and freedom in the 1960s
- The evolving role of women in society during this period
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction sets the context for the research paper, outlining the focus on "Mad Men" and the character of Betty Draper. It highlights the importance of examining gender relations within the show, particularly in the context of second-wave feminism.
- Second-Wave Feminism and the concept of Patriarchy: This chapter provides a theoretical framework for the analysis by defining second-wave feminism and its key tenets, as well as exploring the concept of patriarchy as a system of power and control. It discusses the historical context of the Women's Liberation Movement and its impact on societal views of gender roles.
- Betty Draper within patriarchal structures: This chapter delves into the analysis of Betty Draper's character, examining her experiences within the patriarchal structures of the 1960s. It explores how her life and choices are shaped by the prevailing societal expectations and gender roles of the time.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this research paper include: second-wave feminism, patriarchy, gender relations, "Mad Men," Betty Draper, societal expectations, gender roles, women's liberation, 1960s, and the traditional family structure.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2014, Analyzing gender relations within “Mad Men”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/320168
