From: poznikof@fraser.sfu.ca (Kenneth Shane Poznikoff)
Subject: Re:  Feminist Perspective of Batman Returns
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 20:11:50 GMT


Here is a response I got via e-mail from Ted Ko, regarding my post:

>To: poznikof@sfu.ca
>Subject: Batman Returns
>Status: OR
>
>Here's my reply to your post.  I tried to post it on the net but I'm having
>memory problems on my system.  Please post it with my name so people can
>flame at me. :)
>
>Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies
>Sender: tedk@jpl (Ted Ko)
>
>First off I make no claims to have any experience in understanding the symbolic
>nature of films and secondly, I think you're friend was right in saying you
>over-analyzed the film.  Chill out a little.
>
>Anyway, if you want to look at Batman Returns that closely you could also 
>interpret it as totally pro women's movement.  Ok, let's take Catwoman as 
>your symbol for women in general:
>
>She begins as a meek, nervous SECRETARY epitomizing a traditionalist view while
>trying assert herself - "EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT!"
>
>She is "reborn" as a strong-willed, independent woman with the wits and 
>physical
>skills to be more than a match for her former oppresser (her boss).
>
>At this point let's note that the characters in this film are exaggerations.
>Batman is an exaggeration of so called "masculine attributes" - fighting skill,
>strength, cunning while Catwoman pushes the strong-willed, independent woman
>to the extreme.  In other words, they aren't meant to be representatives for
>their sexes.
>
>Now let's review her actions:
>1) Saves possible rape victim - 
>	"Be careful, it's my first time."
>		Here she mocks female sexual inferiority and the virginity issue
>
>	"You make it so easy!"
>		She disdains the weak, vulnerable woman.
>
>2) In department store - 
>	Skips with whip as jump rope
>		Again mocking the traditional sweet girl image
>
>	Disarms guards
>		Teaches the men not look beyond the appearance and not 
>		underestimate her skills
>
>3) Rooftop fight:
>	"How could you, I'm a woman"
>		Here she is not being pathetic.  She is taking advantage of the
>		male assumptions of her weakness.  Note that she deals him 
>		a pretty good shot.  The groans you hear in the theatre are
>		because Batman falls for it.
>
>4) Last Scene
>	"I'd love to live in your castle...but I wouldn't be able to live
>	with myself!"
>
>	  This very clearly states how she can't stand the thought of settling
>	down to be a rich man's princess. i.e. she's her own woman no matter
>	how attracted she is to him.
>
>
>So, overall, it seems to me that there was nothing but pro-feminism in Catwoman
>and I definitely disagree that her line were horrible.  The lines help her
>convey her attitude very well.  
>As a friend of mine put it, Catwoman is a truly neutral character.  She's not
>good or bad, she just does what she wants to do. (read independent) 
>
><--The-Dark-Elf-<<<

Thank you for you analysis.  You have brought up some points that I
find very convincing and enlightening.  I should have picked one line
of reasoning and applied it through-out the film.  I was searching
for a line to follow.  You have shown me one.  Thanks.  (This is not
to say that I will adopt this view.)

If anyone would like to flame Ted, feel free to send mail to tedk@jpl.
But I feel he has brought up some very good valid points.  There should 
be no need to flame him!

---Shane