Since 19th century, African Americans have often been subjected to racism and marginalization within the American society. Although they have been brought as slaves to America several centuries ago and thus, probably live since generations in the country, they are barely recognized as members of the American community and are forced to live on the fringe of society. As a consequence, African Americans have become the targets of cinematic and television comedy, delineating various stereotypical images of African American men and women. David O. Selznick’s film adaptation Gone With the Wind, published in 1939 and adapted from Margaret Mitchell’s eponymous novel, offers the first portrayal of an African American woman. Conspicuously, the African American woman in the movie emphasizes stereotypical images being decisively devised by white American writers and film producers. Expeditiously, stigmatized ideas of African American women become coined under the imagination of Selznick’s the ‘Mammy’. Since the Mammy is defined as an obese, tall, and broad-shouldered woman, the majority of African American women in America clearly feel their stigmatization conforming the depiction of the Mammy by the white community, culminating in experiencing even greater social marginalization and rejection. Bearing in mind that the Civil Right Movements, where African Americans fought heavily for their personal rights and for an elimination of established stereotypes, occurred many years after the publication of Mitchell and Selznick’s Gone With the Wind, readers and spectators are, nevertheless, confronted frequently with stigmatized images of African Americans. In 2000, Raja Gosnell published his comedy Big Momma’s House, starring Martin Lawrence, representing not only drag performances, but also underlining anew the image of an overweight, broad-shouldered, and colossal African American lady. Martin Lawrence, acting as agent Malcolm Turner, dresses up as lady Hattie Mae Pierce, commonly known as Big Momma, by wearing a fat suit in order to proceed with his investigation. Consequently, similarities between the Mammy archetype and Big Momma in Gosnell’s movie become rapidly obvious. Therefore, this research paper aims to answer the question whether Big Momma can be considered as a contemporary representation of the Mammy archetype or whether producer Raja Gosnell uses the Mammy stereotype in order to add extra comedic relief.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Mammy
- Depiction of Big Momma in Big Momma's House
- Comparison between the Mammy and Big Momma
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper aims to analyze whether the character Big Momma in Raja Gosnell's "Big Momma's House" can be considered a contemporary representation of the Mammy archetype, or if the portrayal serves primarily for comedic effect. The paper will compare and contrast the characteristics of the Mammy stereotype with Big Momma's depiction.
- The Mammy archetype in American cinema and its historical context.
- Big Momma's portrayal in "Big Momma's House" and its comedic function.
- A comparative analysis of the physical and behavioral characteristics of the Mammy and Big Momma.
- The role of stereotypes in shaping representations of African American women in media.
- The potential for comedic relief through the use of established stereotypes.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the historical context of stereotypical representations of African American women in American cinema, focusing on the legacy of racism and marginalization. It introduces the Mammy archetype as a key example of this phenomenon and presents the central research question: Does Big Momma represent a contemporary iteration of the Mammy, or is she a comedic device independent of this stereotype? The paper outlines its methodology, which involves a detailed analysis of the Mammy archetype and a close examination of Big Momma's portrayal in "Big Momma's House," culminating in a comparative analysis to explore similarities and differences.
The Mammy: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the Mammy archetype, tracing its origins to antebellum Southern America and analyzing its multifaceted portrayal in media. It explores the Mammy's role as a domestic servant, caregiver to white children, and often a de-sexualized figure contrasted with the idealized white womanhood of the time. The chapter discusses the complex position of the Mammy, simultaneously a powerful figure within the white household yet still firmly situated within the limitations of her race and social status. The analysis delves into the Mammy's physical characteristics (exaggerated features, obesity, and attire) and how these contribute to a de-sexualized and ultimately disempowering image that served to reinforce racial hierarchy.
Keywords
Mammy archetype, Big Momma, stereotypes, African American women, representation, comedy, racial marginalization, "Big Momma's House," Gone With the Wind, comparative analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Big Momma and the Mammy Archetype
What is the main research question of this paper?
The paper investigates whether the character Big Momma in "Big Momma's House" represents a contemporary version of the Mammy archetype or functions solely as a comedic character, independent of this stereotype.
What are the key themes explored in this research?
The paper explores the Mammy archetype in American cinema, its historical context, and the portrayal of Big Momma in "Big Momma's House." It analyzes the physical and behavioral characteristics of both, the role of stereotypes in media representations of African American women, and the potential for comedy through the use of stereotypes. The impact of racial marginalization and the legacy of racism are also key themes.
What is the structure of the research paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction setting the context and research question, a chapter dedicated to the Mammy archetype, a chapter focusing on Big Momma's portrayal in "Big Momma's House," a comparative analysis chapter, and a conclusion. The table of contents provides a detailed overview of the chapter breakdown.
How does the paper analyze the Mammy archetype?
The analysis of the Mammy archetype traces its origins to antebellum Southern America and examines its multifaceted portrayal in media. It explores the Mammy's role as a domestic servant and caregiver, her de-sexualized image, and the complex position she held within the racial and social hierarchy. The analysis includes a discussion of her physical characteristics (e.g., exaggerated features, obesity, attire) and how these contributed to a disempowering image.
How does the paper analyze Big Momma's character?
The paper examines Big Momma's portrayal in "Big Momma's House," focusing on her comedic function and analyzing whether this portrayal aligns with or diverges from the characteristics of the Mammy archetype. The analysis considers Big Momma's physical and behavioral traits in comparison to the historical Mammy stereotype.
What is the methodology used in this comparative analysis?
The paper uses a detailed analysis of the Mammy archetype and a close examination of Big Momma's portrayal. It then conducts a comparative analysis to explore similarities and differences between the two, to answer the central research question of whether Big Momma is a contemporary iteration of the Mammy or a distinct comedic character.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
The key words include Mammy archetype, Big Momma, stereotypes, African American women, representation, comedy, racial marginalization, "Big Momma's House," Gone With the Wind, and comparative analysis.
What is the overall objective of this research paper?
The research aims to determine whether Big Momma serves as a contemporary representation of the Mammy archetype or if her portrayal is primarily for comedic purposes, independent of this historical stereotype. It seeks to understand the role and impact of stereotypes in shaping media representations of African American women.
What is included in the language preview?
The language preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It provides a comprehensive overview of the research paper's content.
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- Janine Evangelista (Autor:in), 2018, A Comparison of the Mammy Icon and Big Momma in Raja Gosnell's "Big Momma's House", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/415747
