Media Proposal

Title: To what extent have the representations of women changed with particular reference to ‘Ugly Betty’ (2006, Silvio Horta)?

Hypothesis: The role of women has changed as in ‘Ugly Betty’ the protagonist is independent, working and she also challenges the idea of conventional beauty.

M: usually features a close up of Betty’s face
I: women should be feminine and attractive
G: comedy/romance
R: Betty is represented as a geek while Amanda is represented as a stereotypically blonde ditzy girl
I: channel 4
N: tends to be Betty saving the day and her boss always relying on her

Wider Context
Social: relates with the issue of image obsession
Historical: women were discriminated against in the world of work but this has changed. Also, before females had a passive role yet ‘Ugly Betty’ shows the protagonist Betty to have a more active role.
Economical: more females are the breadwinners and this is reflected in ‘Ugly Betty’ where Betty takes on the breadwinner role as she is the main source of income.

Theories/Theorist:
Feminist: idea of patriarchal society
Functionalist: idea of female staying at home and having the more traditional role of being a housewife.
Laura Mulvery: ‘male gaze’

Other text:
Desperate Housewives
Sex and the City
Kill Bill
The Devil Wears Prada

What to research:
‘Representing Women’-MacDonald, Myra (1995)
Laura Mulvery
Debates on ‘Ugly Betty’ focusing on image
‘The Changing Role of Women’- Loon, Borin Van and Sardar, Ziauddin (2002)