Shoshana's character is definately ballsy and strong, and that is a part of "what feminism means to me." Judith explained how this broader definition ("any behavior that is strong and outspoken and kick-ass -- that is, not conforming to conventional gender expectations") has some benefits, like helping more people identify with feminism.
But my analysis of Shoshana's feminism is also based on her relationship to Private Fredrick Zoller, the German soldier who attempts to woo her. Shoshana's assertive and straightforward rebuffs, as well as her refusal to defer to men, even her lover, lead me to interpret Shoshana's character as feminist.
Judith pointed out that there are certain basic values within feminism ("e.g. the worth of all people, inclusivity, a commitment to share power and resources, etc.") and to me, those all reflect a commitment to egalitarianism, and do not address that tricky issue "I don't get it" was getting at - whether or not a feminist can embrace violence as Shoshana does, or perhaps whether or not a feminist can enjoy a violently perverse film like this one, as I will admit I did.
Can you be a feminist and still be titillated by violence? The jury is still out on that one. The "pornography of violence" is a big issue for feminists, and there is no consensus as far as I can see.
Unfortunately, I think the violent nature of the film clouds our discussion of feminism. Regardless of whether or not you approve of Shoshana's violent, murderous choices, she is a strong, Jewish woman who values herself equally to men and refuses to play the "womanly" role they expect of her. And for that reason, I think she is a feminist.
Shoshana's character is definately ballsy and strong, and that is a part of "what feminism means to me." Judith explained how this broader definition ("any behavior that is strong and outspoken and kick-ass -- that is, not conforming to conventional gender expectations") has some benefits, like helping more people identify with feminism.
But my analysis of Shoshana's feminism is also based on her relationship to Private Fredrick Zoller, the German soldier who attempts to woo her. Shoshana's assertive and straightforward rebuffs, as well as her refusal to defer to men, even her lover, lead me to interpret Shoshana's character as feminist.
Judith pointed out that there are certain basic values within feminism ("e.g. the worth of
all people, inclusivity, a commitment to share power and resources, etc.") and to me, those all reflect a commitment to egalitarianism, and do not address that tricky issue "I don't get it" was getting at - whether or not a feminist can embrace violence as Shoshana does, or perhaps whether or not a feminist can enjoy a violently perverse film like this one, as I will admit I did.
Can you be a feminist and still be titillated by violence? The jury is still out on that one. The "pornography of violence" is a big issue for feminists, and there is no consensus as far as I can see.
Unfortunately, I think the violent nature of the film clouds our discussion of feminism. Regardless of whether or not you approve of Shoshana's violent, murderous choices, she is a strong, Jewish woman who values herself equally to men and refuses to play the "womanly" role they expect of her. And for that reason, I think she is a feminist.