Thursday, February 27, 2014
Is Friday Feminist or Feebleminded?
Hildy Johnson is a confident career woman who can compete with men (and defeat them) in the dog-eat-dog world of journalism. She is even willing to divorce her man if he doesn't treat her right. Yet, at the same time, she seeks the domestic joys of children and caring for her man -- and in the end returns to the rascal whom she left in the first place. What is the role of women in this film? Does it tell us anything about "modern" women in 1940's America?
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I believe that His Girl Friday is a mainly feminist movie that falls apart towards the end. Throughout the entirety of the film, Hildy is seen as a strong female lead. Even from the very beginning, she waltzes into an acclaimed newspaper building and crosses the "no admittance" sign. You can visibly see her confidence from the way she composes herself and her strut in the opening scene. You can see from the beginning that she "wears the pants" in her relationship with Bruce. Not only is this characterized by the way she talks down to Bruce in a condescending manner, but it is also visibly seen through the "no admittance" gate that Hildy surpasses while Bruce cannot. In addition to "wearing the pants" in her relationship with Bruce, she also is mentioned to have divorced Walter, to his dismay. This seems like a wild idea to me in the 1940s that the woman divorces the man without his agreement. This all sets Hildy up to be a strong female lead paving the way for women everywhere.
ReplyDeleteWhile her strong female characterization is hard to ignore throughout the entire film, the ending makes us question Hildy's strength and feminist views. The last few minutes of the film exposes a new, weakened side of Hildy. She breaks down and cries because she believed Walter did not love her anymore. She also ends up agreeing to re-marry the man she divorced in the first place, regardless of the fact that nothing about their relationship has changed nor will ever change. This submission back to the negligent husband discredits the majority of her prior strength.
In the opening scene of the movie where Hildy marches through the “No Admittance” sign and through the sea of busy, standardized journalists, she is portrayed immediately as a unique, strong-willed woman who does what she wants. This unconventionality is quite a ‘modern’ concept for a woman in the 1940s. Hildy exemplifies a woman who has a tough head on her shoulders and has the confidence to tackle a man on the street, break the rules to speak to an incarcerated criminal, and finagle her way into the hearts of many.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Elanna in that Hildy Johnson is a strong woman whose confidence leads her to independence. However, I do not necessarily agree that the last few moments of the film, in which Hildy breaks down crying, make her any less of an independent woman. A strong woman is still entitled to emotions and to be confused by her decisions. Furthermore, I do not believe that Hildy’s desire to make a home and have children diminishes her independence. She has the unique ability, for a woman of her time, to choose between this domestic life and a career in the newspaper. She has every right to choose a married life of motherhood. In my opinion, this ability to choose between those two lives gives her even more power. In her relationship with Bruce, as Elanna explained, Hildy ‘wears the pants’. However, with Walter, the two are on equal ground and are able to bicker and joke and work off of each other’s actions. To be so equal to a working, upper class man as a female journalist takes a certain sense of independence. Described as “a newspaper man,” Hildy is quite unique.
To the naked eye, the title of Howard Hawks' "His Girl Friday" makes little sense in the grand scheme of the movie. However, with a little investigation one can learn about its profound significance. According to Merriam-Webster, a girl Friday is, "a woman who does many different jobs in an office." With this definition in mind, it is easy to see Hildy's position in the story. While the audience knows that Hildy is the girl Friday, Hawks tactically leaves the "His" up to interpretation. Sure, in the literal sense one would have to believe that Walter is the "He" due to his occupation; however, in my opinion, the "His" applies to both of the men. This is because regardless of the spouse, Hildy is still subordinate in the relationship. In the relationship with Bruce, Hildy assumes the role of housewife. This role is by no means progressive and she becomes the typical husband-dependent woman of the time. Alternatively, Hildy assumes the more literal "girl Friday" label in a relationship with Walter. She works directly under him at the newspaper and she has to concede to his every wish for this reason (i.e. the couple's multiple tainted honeymoons). While Hildy demonstrates qualities of intelligence and guile, she doesn’t come close to transcending the role of women during the time period. Ultimately, she is still controlled by the wishes of the men in her life and doesn’t demonstrate qualities of the typical “modern woman”.
ReplyDeleteFrom the very beginning of the film, the audience will be able to tell that Hildy is a strong-willed woman, with a powerful job and walks with a certain type of confidence that turns heads. Journalism in this era was an extremely important job because of how reliant the general public was to the newspaper. It was a stressful job that required people who were determined to get the story and could put up with constant talking and criticism. Hildy handled the role of a head journalist quite well for who seemed to be the only female journalist for her newspaper. Everyone respected her authority and that is clear when she walked through the, “No Admittance” sign, leaving Bruce on the outside. While in the relationship with Bruce, Hildy does seem like the person who in in more control, in her relationship with Walter, it is a completely different story. I do agree with Scott when he mentions that she is almost dependent on Walter. An example of this is at the end of them film when Walter wants to leave Hildy without re-kindling their relationship. Hildy cries because she cannot get what she wants, and that is Walter, because he is the more dominant one in that particular relationship. Hildy needs a male in her life, and seemed to be happier with a man that was at a higher power than she was. It gave her no excitement to be with Bruce, because she controlled him, rather than the other way around. While Hildy is an extremely determined woman and highly respected among the journalist crowd, she doesn’t break the stereotypical role of women in this time.
ReplyDeleteHoward Hawks, director and producer of His Girl Friday clearly depicts Hildie as a very strong woman in the film. Even from the beginning when she walks through the “no admittance” sign, you can tell that she means business. In the beginning of the film she is seen as a serious woman and someone who does not put up with any nonsense. Being the only woman in the workroom most of the time, she brings a brave and daring attitude. Women play a very important role in this film, that being strength and independence. I agree with Julia in the sense that strong women have the right to emotions and also have the right to a family. In His Girl Friday, Hildie Johnson is given a very hard task: to decide whether or not to continue with her job with the newspaper or settle down and start a family. Unfortunately the thing about the 1940’s is that first of all, many women did not work. Secondly, the thought of a woman raising a family and having a job at the same time was unthinkable. The so-called modern woman in 1940’s America had to pick one or the other, just like Hildie does. To me this is one of the most frustrating things of the past: women’s rights and women as a whole. Women were thought of as lesser than men for a long time and it was not considered right to raise a family and have a job. Thankfully, in today’s world it is perfectly acceptable for women to work and have a family. Unfortunately, Hildie does not have the chance to live the life that women live today.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that the purpose of the film when it comes to women is to reinforce the existing stereotypes of the role of the woman in the 1940s. For most of the film, Hawks plays around with the concept of a powerful and independent female lead, vital to any traditional screwball comedy. Right as you are starting to think, "Hey, what a groundbreaking film to try to break past the gender stereotypes of the 1940s," the ending comes around. Two very significant things happen to Hildie at the end of the film. First comes the scene where she breaks down crying, upset when she fears that Walter wasn't going to fight for her and that he was prepared to let her go. Then, as the two are leaving the press room, Walter remarks about how before they are going to start on their honeymoon they're going to have to stop in Albany to cover a strike.
ReplyDeleteThese two final actions are very important in terms of the picture we get of Hildie, and are also a deliberate act to remind audiences that at the end of the day, even the powerful Hildie is just a feeble woman who needs a man in her life. For most of the film Hildie appears totally independent, undeterred by Walter's constant attempts to win her favor. But at the very end of the film we see a different side of her, as she breaks down into tears at the thought that Walter may no longer love her. This allowed the director to break down the strong exterior Hildie previously had, and send a message to the audience that Hildie really was looking for a strong man all along. She's not so independent, she's not so headstrong. In reality, deep down, she's just a regular woman longing to find a husband. If the director was trying to create a truly feminist film he would have let that ending scene happen on Hildie's terms, with Walter begging her to take him back. Instead, we see a defeated and exasperated woman, relieved that Walter still loves her.
More importantly, the final action of Walter preparing to delay yet another honeymoon indicates that Hildie, the female lead, has no legitimate control over their relationship. Whether it was an act or not, Hildie's determination and pride seems to scare Walter straight, helping him realize the past mistakes he made and sending him into overdrive to win her back. Evening with the ending scene where she breaks down, at the very least we see that Hildie, by acting strong, whipped Walter back into shape. Unfortunately, that possible outcome comes to a crashing end when Walter hints that they're going to head to Albany before setting off on their honeymoon. This is the exact same thing Walter did the first time they we're preparing to go on their original honeymoon! It's the exact same scenario that caused Hildie to LEAVE WALTER IN THE FIRST PLACE. Now, it's happening all over again, and the final scene is a complacent and slightly upset Hildie giving in, and allowing Walter to trample all over her dreams for a more traditional marriage.
The film certainly operates under a feminist façade, but at the end of the day it only serves the purpose of reinforcing traditional gender roles.
To set the stage for women in the 1940’s, there are two sides to roles the faced in a wartime America and post-WWII economic boom. During the war, women took jobs that were left vacant by men who were shipped overseas, as well as new jobs that had opened in wartime industries. This empowered women to be outside the home, fighting right alongside their husbands on the domestic front. However, after the war ended and the soldiers returned home, some women stayed in their jobs, many returned to raises a family in a booming American suburban environment that came with post-WWII technological advances. That said, His Girl Friday demonstrates both of these roles. Hildy is portrayed both as the dominant feminine character, with her sharp mind and quick wit, but also shown as a secondary character when she realizes that she wishes to go back and be with Walter. The film is attempting to demonstrate this transitional period from war necessity to post-war domesticity. Hildy goes from being the hard-hitting newspaper reporter, a strong, confident woman who can keep up with the best of the male journalists, but changes to a woman who is only trying to make a home with a man she loves. Though the man that she loves does change during the film from Bruce to Walter, the end message of settling down starting a family still rings true. Had Hildy decided instead to live independently, or even raise a family with a man that would have no problem with her also pursuing her own career, the film would have portrayed a much more feminist message.
ReplyDeleteThe character of Hildy Johnson in the film His Girl Friday is a parody of the “modern” women of 1940’s America. Hildy, an independent and strong character, differentiates herself from other women at the start of the film. She wears pronounced patterns that make her appear different from other women. Not only is she aesthetically different, Hildy also acts differently. Hildy thrives in the world of journalism, another way she distinguishes herself. Hildy’s strength as a journalist is pushed to the point of humor. When Hildy is trying to get a story for the newspaper, she goes running after a man and tackles him in order to get it. This action, which in essence looked like a football tackle, emphasizes Hildy’s strength. Hildy’s strength is also exemplified by her willingness to leave her husband. The parody of Hildy, the modern woman, begins when the viewer realizes the things that differentiate Hildy from other women are either laughable or are failures. First, Hildy’s tackle of the man on the street while impressive, is so unusual that it is considered laughable, thus mocking her strength. Second, Hildy Johnson, who left her husband Walter after a failed relationship, returns to him again at the end of the film. Hildy’s choice to return to her ex-husband parodies both Hildy’s own independence and the idea of marriage during the 1940s. Since Hildy was strong enough to end her relationship, it is ironic that she chooses to go back to Walter and to have made no progress between the beginning of the movie and the end.
ReplyDeleteIt is blatantly obvious that Hildy Jonson in the film, "His Girl Friday", is independent, confident and motivated. For example, Hildy casually walks through the "No Admittance" gate at the newspaper office, and greets her coworkers; she is clearly an integral member of the community at the office. However, I believe that Hildy's confident and determined behavior is a mere facade that masks the fact that Hildy does not defy the stereotypical "housewife" role.
ReplyDeleteA comparison of the relationship between Hildy and Bruce, and Hildy and Walter, demonstrates that Hildy does not defy stereotypes regarding women of the era. If one examines the relationship between Hildy and Bruce, it is noticeable that Bruce, who is kind yet naive compared to Walter, is sometimes caught in situations where he is the subordinate. In other words, in the case of Hildy and Bruce, the stereotypical relationship of the male being the more dominant and protective, is reversed, a situation which leaves Hildy unsatisfied. However, in the case of the relationship between Hildy and Walter, Walter is more cunning and aggressive, and seems to be more capable in protecting and comforting Hildy. This notion is proven by the fact that Hildy cries after Walter leaves without rebuilding their relationship. Hildy is left without someone who can simultaneously thrill her and protect her, which emphasizes the stereotype that women are subordinate to men.
Indeed, if one examines the title of the film, "His Girl Friday" implies that a man is possessive of a woman. In other words, despite Hildy's confidence and independence, the fact that she still relies on a dominant male debunks any claims that stereotypes regarding women were broken in the film.
For the majority of the film, I believe that Hildy Johnson is the main character of "His Girl Friday", and thus the film is, in its own right, feminist just from that aspect. The argument against the film's feminism is Hildy's eventual fall back into Walter's arms. But in order to say that, one must look into what Walter really represents. Hildy believes that she wants to be a housewife. She believes she wants to cook, clean, and take care of children while her husband Bruce goes and makes the money. Walter knows that Hildy is not a house wife, and is thus not what society would call an "ordinary woman" from a social standpoint. Walter doesn't manipulate her into falling back into his arms and continuing her journalism career, he just knows that Hildy's apparent desire for a new life is a fad, and knows that Hildy is not an ordinary housewife, but an extraordinary reporter. Just, I believe that "His Girl Friday" supports women's roles in society, while hiding under a blanket of the standard male dominance.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Hildy starts out the movie a strong-minded, witty woman, by the end of the film it seems that gender stereotypes have actually been enforced. Hildy seems to have made her mind up about the life that she wants to live, and wants to tell Walter once and for all to leave her alone. However, as soon as she enters his office, she is sucked back into his web of deception and lies. Walter tricks her several times throughout the movie, and even though she is a smart, independent woman, she falls for his tricks and never goes with Bruce to Albany. The fact that she stays with Walter rather than Bruce at the end of the film makes it seem as if she wasn't strong enough to leave her ex-husband or couldn't make up her own mind about what to do. Had there been a different ending to the film, then the message about feminism would be completely different. However, no matter how smart Hildy is, her final decision is what ultimately impacts the movies message about woman at the time. The only other female character in the film is the lover of Earl Williams, who is emotionally distraught and by no means bends gender stereotypes. She is so emotional about Earl that she goes to see Hildy in the newspaper office to seek counsel. The role of woman in the film ends up being that they run to their male counterparts and come off as weak at the end of the film. This once again gives off the message that men were the ones who are assertive and have confident decision-making skills that women lack.
ReplyDeleteThe film: His Girl Friday, directed by Howard Hawks, ultimately is a feminist film as seen through the character Hildy Johnson. Throughout the film, Hildy is seen to be a strong, independent woman who sets herself apart from other women in many different ways. In the beginning of the film, Hildy wears clothing with eye popping patterns and contrasting colors, which alone differentiates herself from other women. Also, the way Hildy acts and carries herself is different. This can be seen at the beginning of the film when Hildy strolls into the newspaper building and enters the other side of the room through the “no admittance” sign. In this scene, Hildy is very confident in who she is when she carries out various conversations with people in the newspaper building. Also at the beginning of the film one can see how Hildy is a dominant person, especially in her relationship with Bruce. When Hildy and Bruce enter the newspaper building, Hildy performs the act of opening the “no admittance” sign herself. This alone suggests the idea that Hildy is an independent woman who does not need someone else to aid her, let alone a man. Also, by Hildy passing through the “no admittance” sign and leaving Bruce on the other side strictly portrays how these two characters will ultimately never connect, which foreshadows the end of the film. Bruce will never be able to enter, let alone be a part of Hildy’s world of chaotic journalism. In comparison, Hildy will never be a part of Bruce’s peaceful lifestyle in Albuquerque, because she is invested into the world of journalism.
ReplyDeleteHowever towards the end of the film, Hawks’ seems to mock and question Hildy as a strong, independent woman during the 1940’s. Hildy, who was originally divorced in the beginning of the film to Walter, returns to him again at the end of the film. Hildy’s decision to return to Walter mocks both Hildy’s own independence and the ideas of marriage during the 1940’s. Since Hildy had the strength to end her relationship with Walter, it is ironic that she chooses to marry Walter again, because ultimately there has been no progress made in their relationship between the beginning and end of the film.
Hildy has been the most dominant female lead character we have seen so far in all the movies we have watched. But even she is not as forceful as Walter, the male lead in the film. The fact that Hildy breaks down in the end, accepting Walter’s dominance, suggests that all women, even the most independent ones, want to be controlled by a man. For most of His Girl Friday, Hildy is completely independent; she goes toe to toe with the other male news reporters and she is at least an equal to Bruce if not even the dominant figure in their relationship. But in the ending she leaves Bruce for Walter, who is even more domineering than Hildy. This sends the message that a woman should be with a man that can “handle her”, so to speak, so it is the man who always “wears the pants” in the relationship, not the woman. This idea of male dominance is reinforced by the fact that Hildy wants the stereotypical marriage of the 1940’s, where she stays home takes care of the kids and the house and the man earns the money, but to have that she has to give up on being a reporter. This shows that the society of the 1940’s was a a male controlled society, where a woman cannot work and have a family. This idea now seems extremely sexist but at the time it was commonly expected for the man to work and be in charge of the family, while the women stayed home.
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