On the 14th of April in 1912, just at the time of first-wave feminism, the allegedly unsinkable Titanic perished in the Atlantic Ocean after running into an iceberg at full speed. It is an event that not only bothered the people at that time, but also today. This interest today is only partly based on the tragedy itself, but also on James Cameron’s screen adaptation from 1997, which is one of the most expensive ones in history. Cameron combines a catastrophe with a love story by using real and fictional characters which are formed in a way that leaves space for further interpretation. With some of his characters he also thematises the above mentioned first wave of feminism and the associated emancipation of women which is an extremely interesting topic from nowadays perspective, since equality of men and women is taken for granted in today’s society.
The elaboration at hand takes a closer look at the fictional character Rose Dewitt Bukater and the non-fictional character Molly Brown and her portrayal in the film. Both of them are analysed with regard to the new model of femininity they represent which runs against the common image of women of their time. Moreover it will be shown whether the two of them function as role models or even heroines for other people on the ship and in front of the silver screen. As a result there are two basic questions that this elaboration tries to answer: To what extent do Rose and Molly break with the common image of women at that time; to what extent do they not? And what is their character’s function in the film?
To answer this questions the first step is to give an overview about the common model of femininity in and around 1912 with a typical example given in the screen adaptation from 1997 which in this case is Rose’s mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater. It will be easier to then realize what is so striking about Rose Dewitt Bukater’s and Molly Brown’s behaviour. Thereafter, this behaviour will be described and analysed with regard to the expectations of women in the 19th and in the beginning of the 20th century. Furthermore, some dubious statements found during research in international literature are questioned. In the course of this the basic questions mentioned above will be answered.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Women at the beginning of the 20th century
2.1 The role of women around 1912 in general
2.2 A prototypical woman: Ruth DeWitt Bukater
3. Rose DeWitt Bukater
3.1 Rose’s break with early 20th century society
3.2 Rose as a heroine? – Her function in the film
4. Fiction VS. Reality – The Unsinkable Molly Brown
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This thesis examines the representation of female characters in James Cameron’s 1997 film "Titanic," specifically analyzing how the characters Rose DeWitt Bukater and Molly Brown challenge traditional 20th-century gender norms. The study explores their paths toward emancipation and their contrasting functions as either relatable figures or heroic role models.
- Analysis of first-wave feminism in the context of the early 20th century.
- Comparative study of fictional (Rose) and non-fictional (Molly Brown) character arcs.
- Deconstruction of "heroism" and gender roles within the narrative structure.
- Examination of the struggle for personal autonomy against patriarchal societal constraints.
- Evaluation of audience identification across different generations.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Rose’s break with early 20th century society
It becomes soon obvious that Rose DeWitt Bukater does not fit into the just described perception of women. She embodies a new model of femininity that runs against those accepted in her society, as we will see in the following.
When young Rose appears for the first time, the viewer sees a well-dressed and well-bred young lady. Her outward appearance absolutely fits into the expectations of young women in the early 20th century. But this first impression changes when Rose starts talking for the first time. “I don’t see what all the fuss is about. [The Titanic] doesn’t look any bigger than the Mauretania” (Titanic. 1997. TC 00:21:13). This open criticism confirms Rose’s good education as well as her self-confidence. Furthermore, it shows that it is not easy to please her and that Rose is not afraid of speaking her mind. But it also contains an indirect criticism towards her mother Ruth DeWitt Bukater and her fiancé Cal Hockley, because by saying so Rose doubts their knowledge and opinion.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the socio-historical context of the Titanic disaster and the emergence of first-wave feminism, establishing the research questions regarding Rose's and Molly's break from conventional gender roles.
2. Women at the beginning of the 20th century: This chapter provides a theoretical background on the restrictive role of women in the early 1900s, characterizing the societal expectations through the lens of domesticity and submission.
3. Rose DeWitt Bukater: This chapter analyzes Rose's transformation from a restricted upper-class daughter to an emancipated individual, focusing on her rebellious acts and her ultimate rejection of societal expectations.
4. Fiction VS. Reality – The Unsinkable Molly Brown: This section differentiates between the fictional nature of Rose and the historical figure of Molly Brown, evaluating Molly's genuine struggle for independence and her role as an outsider within high society.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, confirming that while Rose serves as a figure for audience identification, Molly Brown acts as a historical constant of genuine female self-determination and altruism.
Keywords
Titanic, James Cameron, Feminism, Emancipation, Gender Roles, Rose DeWitt Bukater, Molly Brown, First-wave feminism, Patriarchy, Film studies, Character analysis, 20th century society, Female autonomy, Heroine, Social constraints
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis explores the portrayal of femininity in James Cameron's "Titanic," specifically analyzing how Rose DeWitt Bukater and Molly Brown rebel against the restrictive gender norms of the early 20th century.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include first-wave feminism, the emancipation of women, social class structures, character transformation, and the tension between traditional expectations and personal autonomy.
What is the main research question?
The work investigates to what extent Rose and Molly break with the common image of women of their time and what functions their characters fulfill within the narrative of the film.
Which methodology is applied in this study?
The author uses a qualitative film analysis approach, integrating historical context and feminist theory to interpret character development and scenes within the movie.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the historical context of women in 1912, the character analysis of the "prototypical" Ruth DeWitt Bukater, the rebellious arc of Rose, and a comparative study of the historical Margaret "Molly" Brown.
How is this work characterized by its keywords?
It is characterized by terms such as emancipation, gender roles, first-wave feminism, and character analysis, which highlight the intersection of historical studies and media analysis.
How does Ruth DeWitt Bukater contrast with the other female characters?
Ruth acts as a foil, embodying the traditional 19th-century patriarchal values of obedience, class consciousness, and subservience, which directly opposes the aspirations of her daughter, Rose.
Is Rose DeWitt Bukater considered a traditional heroine?
The author concludes that Rose is not an exemplary heroine in the traditional sense, but rather a character designed for audience identification, as she shares both positive and negative traits.
Why is Molly Brown considered an outsider in the film?
Molly Brown is perceived as "vulgar" by the upper-class society because her assertive behavior, independent spirit, and modern worldview do not align with the rigid, conservative expectations of the elite.
What role does the "promise" to Jack play in Rose's emancipation?
The author argues that while some critics view the promise as the catalyst for Rose’s freedom, her desire for emancipation—signified by her break with her mother and fiancé—was already deeply rooted before the tragedy occurred.
- Quote paper
- Kathrin Hellmann (Author), 2014, Strong women in "Titanic". Rose DeWitt Bukater's and Molly Brown's break with the typical 20th century female image, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/342098
