I've never watched the movie about Kahlo Frida, but I heard it is really a great film, and totally worth spending your time. So now, if you are someone who doesn't know much about this Mexican painter - my questions are the following:
Why do you think Frida Kahlo declined to remove her, later well known signature facial features, mustache and unibrow? If you, lets say, don't know anything about her, what kind reasoning, or I better ask, what kind of statement was she trying to make? Why so?
What would you think if you met a young USC female student on the campus today wearing a very noticeable unibrow? Would you think that she is part of some feminist movement or .... (fill in the blank)?
Don Quixote was written in the Baroque period, in 1615 (17th century). This was a time where of counter reformation, and some of the themes of this time period are appearance vs. reality, and also death. We definitely see the idea of death in Don Quixote, as Merlin, who is supposed to stand for the devils son comes up right away and is described as "death himself". Yet the position of Don Quixote himself is confusing in my opinion. For example, an idealist, or a romantic, views the world as he or she thinks it ought to be. Then a realist views the world as it is. Is Don Quixote an idealist or a realist? I'm not sure about this. In this time period you would think he would be a realist, as that coincides with the themes of the Baroque period more effectively. Yet throughout the story I get some sense that he may actually hold idealist characteristics which kind of go against the idea of the Baroque period. If he is an idealist, how does this affect the readers and the story as whole? Would that make it radical for this time period? Or is Don Quixote simply a realist?
As Elizabeth Grosz writes, "[freaks] exist outside and in defiance of the estructure of binary oppositions that govern our basic concepts and modes of self-definition." Clearly, Jennifer Miller finds it empowering to appear beyond social norms. She thinks that she is sending a message about the beauty in the naturalism of women, illustrating how she gains positive independence by being a freak. However, in Don Quixote, the duennas are ashamed and desperately seek help to remove their beards. They cannot even show their faces publicly, showing how their condition ostracized them from the rest of society. To what extent does being a freak/monster ostracize one from the rest of society versus fulfilling one's self independence? Is this a fine line based upon the context of their time and how society views them, or is this purely based upon how the individual freaks view themselves?
In the Don Quijote readings, Sancho Panza is convinced to whip himself 3,300 times to disenchant Dulcinea. Sancho says that he is being forced "to pay for the sin of her eyes". Why doesn't Dulcinea redeem herself? Is it because a woman can commit sins but is incapable of acquitting herself of the punishments?
In Slideshow U.S.A. Freaks and the American Cultural Imagination, Jennifer Miller, the bearded lady, is described as a somewhat cross between feminine and masculine. She has a feminine form but also a beard which is a masculine feature. It is unexpected in women because even those who do have hair remove it by waxing, shaving, or electrolysis. Jennifer Miller encourages women to view them as choices instead of necessities. Do women really choose to remove hair and undergo other treatments or if they are forced by society? Do they do it for themselves or because they do not want to be considered "freaks" and are under pressure? Would they still do these things if society was more neutral about the whole thing?
Although I haven't watched "Frida" I did spent some of my high school months learning about Frida Kahlo, her life, and art. And, I must say, I thought (still do) she was an admirable woman. And, I admire her for keeping her facial hair so proudly.
But, if her facial hair was one of the most interesting and important statements from Frida, and Miramax knew it, AND Salma Hayek didn't refuse to wear the mustache, why did Miramax refuse to allow Salma Hayek to have it for the film? I mean, she was already wearing a unibrow; what would be the difference if she wore a mustache?
What is so important about not having the mustache on a woman in today's films?
Also, why ( if Salma Hayek didn't mind playing Frida Kahlo's role and even wanted to have the mustache) did Salma Hayek think the the similarities between her and Frida were "really scary"? Shouldn't she be happy (considering Kahlo was considered attractive and sexy)?
Men are stereotypically stronger than women, but in Don Quixote it seemed that Sancho was showing his weaknesses. When it came to the 3,300 whips, he sets conditions. He says, "I can give them whenever I like, without anybody trying to set the number or length of time" ... "I'm not obligued to draw blood with the whipping" ... "I say that I accept the penance, with the conditions that have been stated". Does this make him look like a cowardly man? or is this just human nature?
In Kristine Michelle Howard's review of the videotape on Jennifer Miller, Miller's sexuality is the focus of the excerpt. Jennifer Miller seems to advertise herself as a "lesbian woman with a beard" and rebels against societal norms by growing out her facial, underarm and leg hair - traditionally features that are considered "unattractive" to men. If then, how is her sexuality related to her facial hair and appearance?
Don Quixote starts to recreate his own world; thus, his exaggerating imagination leads many people to argue that he is an insane character. Yet, is it really correct to say that he is insane? Perhaps, he is behaving at a self-conscious manner in which, through his character, he is affecting the others' around him. How is Don Quixote's own perception of reality a determinant factor for the way others view their own reality?
I thought one of the most interesting parts of the reading was the section talking about how women are discouraged from having facial hair because it is a sign of the social power that men have. This seems to suggest that strict gender formations are a way of maintaining power. What other aspects of society might contribute to this?
Does Jennifer Miller’s message of empowerment come from her realization that she has a strange feature or because she is just a woman with a “common condition” who chooses not to remove her facial hair (Adams)? Does Jennifer Miller choose not to remove her facial hair because she wants people to notice her beard or because she doesn’t mind having it? If women like Ms. Miller were to be truly accepted in society, then people would not focus on her as a “freak,” but rather as a normal person who chooses not to undergo a shaving routine. The amount of attention these kinds of people get only makes them seem like they are “freaks.” I found it interesting that the article focused on Frida Kahlo’s facial hair instead of her talent as a painter. I think we should focus more on people’s character, personality, talents, etc. rather than focus on the amount of hair or any other "unattractive" physical features that they might have. Do you think the awareness of bearded women is empowering or just grotesque?
In McDonald reading she talks about all the the artists using the 'ideal nude as a framework for the representation of the female body in positive terms'. A woman's body has always been used as a source of power for a woman, whether it be of persuasion or of mystery perhaps. What power is added or taken away with the representation of a nude bearded woman seen as both desired and perhaps feared?
In Don Quixote, Dulcinea has been cursed with ugliness. Merlin, the living Death describes this transformation as "so grievous a sorrow, so great an ill"(691). It seems that, at this time, beauty was so important that it was thought a tragedy if one were to lose her beauty or to not have it all. Has this ideal died down in present times? Our society likes to believe that is accepting of all, but doesn't beauty still appear to be very important?
The Spanish culture at the time Don Quixote was written emphasized titles, ranks, and noble status. The bearded duenna was given the title of countess, but this is poorly reflected by her overall demeanor. The play on her name as tres faldas further ridicules someone who should, in theory, be treated with respect. How strong were the differences between perceived/instated status and actual status, and how is that difference magnified when the person in question is a bearded lady?
I've never watched the movie about Kahlo Frida, but I heard it is really a great film, and totally worth spending your time. So now, if you are someone who doesn't know much about this Mexican painter - my questions are the following:
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Frida Kahlo declined to remove her, later well known signature facial features, mustache and unibrow? If you, lets say, don't know anything about her, what kind reasoning, or I better ask, what kind of statement was she trying to make? Why so?
What would you think if you met a young USC female student on the campus today wearing a very noticeable unibrow? Would you think that she is part of some feminist movement or .... (fill in the blank)?
Don Quixote was written in the Baroque period, in 1615 (17th century). This was a time where of counter reformation, and some of the themes of this time period are appearance vs. reality, and also death. We definitely see the idea of death in Don Quixote, as Merlin, who is supposed to stand for the devils son comes up right away and is described as "death himself". Yet the position of Don Quixote himself is confusing in my opinion. For example, an idealist, or a romantic, views the world as he or she thinks it ought to be. Then a realist views the world as it is. Is Don Quixote an idealist or a realist? I'm not sure about this. In this time period you would think he would be a realist, as that coincides with the themes of the Baroque period more effectively. Yet throughout the story I get some sense that he may actually hold idealist characteristics which kind of go against the idea of the Baroque period. If he is an idealist, how does this affect the readers and the story as whole? Would that make it radical for this time period? Or is Don Quixote simply a realist?
ReplyDeleteAs Elizabeth Grosz writes, "[freaks] exist outside and in defiance of the estructure of binary oppositions that govern our basic concepts and modes of self-definition." Clearly, Jennifer Miller finds it empowering to appear beyond social norms. She thinks that she is sending a message about the beauty in the naturalism of women, illustrating how she gains positive independence by being a freak. However, in Don Quixote, the duennas are ashamed and desperately seek help to remove their beards. They cannot even show their faces publicly, showing how their condition ostracized them from the rest of society. To what extent does being a freak/monster ostracize one from the rest of society versus fulfilling one's self independence? Is this a fine line based upon the context of their time and how society views them, or is this purely based upon how the individual freaks view themselves?
ReplyDeleteIn the Don Quijote readings, Sancho Panza is convinced to whip himself 3,300 times to disenchant Dulcinea. Sancho says that he is being forced "to pay for the sin of her eyes". Why doesn't Dulcinea redeem herself? Is it because a woman can commit sins but is incapable of acquitting herself of the punishments?
ReplyDeleteIn Slideshow U.S.A. Freaks and the American Cultural Imagination, Jennifer Miller, the bearded lady, is described as a somewhat cross between feminine and masculine. She has a feminine form but also a beard which is a masculine feature. It is unexpected in women because even those who do have hair remove it by waxing, shaving, or electrolysis. Jennifer Miller encourages women to view them as choices instead of necessities. Do women really choose to remove hair and undergo other treatments or if they are forced by society? Do they do it for themselves or because they do not want to be considered "freaks" and are under pressure? Would they still do these things if society was more neutral about the whole thing?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I haven't watched "Frida" I did spent some of my high school months learning about Frida Kahlo, her life, and art. And, I must say, I thought (still do) she was an admirable woman. And, I admire her for keeping her facial hair so proudly.
ReplyDeleteBut, if her facial hair was one of the most interesting and important statements from Frida, and Miramax knew it, AND Salma Hayek didn't refuse to wear the mustache, why did Miramax refuse to allow Salma Hayek to have it for the film? I mean, she was already wearing a unibrow; what would be the difference if she wore a mustache?
What is so important about not having the mustache on a woman in today's films?
Also, why ( if Salma Hayek didn't mind playing Frida Kahlo's role and even wanted to have the mustache) did Salma Hayek think the the similarities between her and Frida were "really scary"? Shouldn't she be happy (considering Kahlo was considered attractive and sexy)?
Men are stereotypically stronger than women, but in Don Quixote it seemed that Sancho was showing his weaknesses. When it came to the 3,300 whips, he sets conditions. He says, "I can give them whenever I like, without anybody trying to set the number or length of time" ... "I'm not obligued to draw blood with the whipping" ... "I say that I accept the penance, with the conditions that have been stated". Does this make him look like a cowardly man? or is this just human nature?
ReplyDeleteIn Kristine Michelle Howard's review of the videotape on Jennifer Miller, Miller's sexuality is the focus of the excerpt. Jennifer Miller seems to advertise herself as a "lesbian woman with a beard" and rebels against societal norms by growing out her facial, underarm and leg hair - traditionally features that are considered "unattractive" to men. If then, how is her sexuality related to her facial hair and appearance?
ReplyDeleteDon Quixote starts to recreate his own world; thus, his exaggerating imagination leads many people to argue that he is an insane character. Yet, is it really correct to say that he is insane? Perhaps, he is behaving at a self-conscious manner in which, through his character, he is affecting the others' around him. How is Don Quixote's own perception of reality a determinant factor for the way others view their own reality?
ReplyDeleteI thought one of the most interesting parts of the reading was the section talking about how women are discouraged from having facial hair because it is a sign of the social power that men have. This seems to suggest that strict gender formations are a way of maintaining power. What other aspects of society might contribute to this?
ReplyDeleteDoes Jennifer Miller’s message of empowerment come from her realization that she has a strange feature or because she is just a woman with a “common condition” who chooses not to remove her facial hair (Adams)? Does Jennifer Miller choose not to remove her facial hair because she wants people to notice her beard or because she doesn’t mind having it? If women like Ms. Miller were to be truly accepted in society, then people would not focus on her as a “freak,” but rather as a normal person who chooses not to undergo a shaving routine. The amount of attention these kinds of people get only makes them seem like they are “freaks.” I found it interesting that the article focused on Frida Kahlo’s facial hair instead of her talent as a painter. I think we should focus more on people’s character, personality, talents, etc. rather than focus on the amount of hair or any other "unattractive" physical features that they might have. Do you think the awareness of bearded women is empowering or just grotesque?
ReplyDeleteIn McDonald reading she talks about all the the artists using the 'ideal nude as a framework for the representation of the female body in positive terms'. A woman's body has always been used as a source of power for a woman, whether it be of persuasion or of mystery perhaps. What power is added or taken away with the representation of a nude bearded woman seen as both desired and perhaps feared?
ReplyDeleteIn Don Quixote, Dulcinea has been cursed with ugliness. Merlin, the living Death describes this transformation as "so grievous a sorrow, so great an ill"(691). It seems that, at this time, beauty was so important that it was thought a tragedy if one were to lose her beauty or to not have it all. Has this ideal died down in present times? Our society likes to believe that is accepting of all, but doesn't beauty still appear to be very important?
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish culture at the time Don Quixote was written emphasized titles, ranks, and noble status. The bearded duenna was given the title of countess, but this is poorly reflected by her overall demeanor. The play on her name as tres faldas further ridicules someone who should, in theory, be treated with respect. How strong were the differences between perceived/instated status and actual status, and how is that difference magnified when the person in question is a bearded lady?
ReplyDelete