Cultural Essay
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:14 am
Rachel Phillips
Both “And the Spring Comes” and “Mona Lisa Smile” focus on the limited and subdued role women are often forced into. However, “And the Spring Comes” breaks out of the patriarchal world and portrays a life made outside of it. On the other hand, the events in “Mona Lisa Smile” do little to promote and exemplify truly feminist ideals. “Mona Lisa Smile” is set in the 1950’s, commonly known as a time where women’s ability to succeed outside of the home was greatly hindered. That being said, it was also a time of powerful feminist rhetoric, which was not expressed in the movie. “And the Spring Comes” takes place much later in the 1990’s, during a period of increased modernity in China. Overall, both “And the Spring Comes” and “Mona Lisa Smile” express their rhetorical message about female empowerment through their non-verbal portrayal of women and through topois (文).
One example of non-verbal cues is the dramatized and unrealistic actions of the women and their surrounding setting in “Mona Lisa Smile”. For example, throughout “Mona Lisa Smile”, all women are consistently dressed up and have exaggerated actions. One scene, in particular, is at the beginning of the film when all the girls are talking with each other in the room before they go to bed. Each girl has their hair and makeup done. In addition, they are all wearing outfits that lean more towards fashion trends rather than comfort clothes, which is more realistic for a night in. Along with the hair and clothing, all women are jumping around, screaming, and overreacting about simple comments. This is typically how women are portrayed in American films, especially in the 2000s. These exaggerated actions play into the stereotypes of women in a two-dimensional form. These over dramatic scenes continue throughout the movie, including fights and the women dressed up in every scene. In addition, the college the women attend is considered to be the most prestigious school, and every girl comes from a wealthy family. Overall, the setting and nonverbal actions do not portray the average life of an American woman in the 1950’s.
On the other hand, “And the Spring Comes” is much more realistic in its portrayal of women. For example, Wang Cailing is never overdramatized or characterized by female stereotypes. Her outfits are professional when she is working, and comfortable when she is at home. In fact, the lack of dressiness of her outfits at home emphasizes her struggle to find success as a human being, portraying her as more than a two-dimensional female. Thus, “And the Spring Comes” portrays a female outside of the patriarchal ideologies.
While Wang Cailing recognizes that society will judge her for her looks, she, again, finds happiness outside of the ideals of marriage. In other words, Wang Cailing did not need to be for or against marriage. She would accept if the right offer came along; however, she focuses on her career and adopting a baby.
On the other hand, “Mona Lisa Smile’s” greatest attempt to move outside of the patriarchal realm was simply to bash marriage. For example, Giselle and Ms. Watson, considered to be “the progressive thinkers” only make comments about their frustration with marriage. In other words, regardless of their feelings, the only topic on their minds is a relationship with men. In fact, all of the topics in the film revolve around male and female roles in relationships. In reality, “Mona Lisa Smile” does not offer the same progressive message through the use of topois (文). Another example of how “Mona Lisa Smile” relies on topois (文) to express the message of the importance of a male relationship is the fact that the class only studies male art. In addition, the main plot lines throughout this movie are Betty Warren planning her wedding, the birth control incident with the nurse, and Giselle and Mrs.
Watson’s relationship with Bill Dunbar, which all have to do with relationships with men.
In contrast, “And the Spring Comes” has varying topoi (文) to convey several different messages. While one topic is Wang Cailing looking for happiness in love, Wang Cailing is also seen independent of this, striving to achieve her goals as a singer. Her journey only scratches the surface when it comes to characters searching for a better life. In addition, we also see the struggle of social inequality through the male ballet dancer who describes himself as “a fishbone caught in their throats”.
Overall, both movies contain elements of women’s forced gender roles. That being said, “And the Spring Comes” explores these forced roles on a deeper level. At the same time, “And the Spring Comes” is also able to explore other societal constructs as well.
Both “And the Spring Comes” and “Mona Lisa Smile” focus on the limited and subdued role women are often forced into. However, “And the Spring Comes” breaks out of the patriarchal world and portrays a life made outside of it. On the other hand, the events in “Mona Lisa Smile” do little to promote and exemplify truly feminist ideals. “Mona Lisa Smile” is set in the 1950’s, commonly known as a time where women’s ability to succeed outside of the home was greatly hindered. That being said, it was also a time of powerful feminist rhetoric, which was not expressed in the movie. “And the Spring Comes” takes place much later in the 1990’s, during a period of increased modernity in China. Overall, both “And the Spring Comes” and “Mona Lisa Smile” express their rhetorical message about female empowerment through their non-verbal portrayal of women and through topois (文).
One example of non-verbal cues is the dramatized and unrealistic actions of the women and their surrounding setting in “Mona Lisa Smile”. For example, throughout “Mona Lisa Smile”, all women are consistently dressed up and have exaggerated actions. One scene, in particular, is at the beginning of the film when all the girls are talking with each other in the room before they go to bed. Each girl has their hair and makeup done. In addition, they are all wearing outfits that lean more towards fashion trends rather than comfort clothes, which is more realistic for a night in. Along with the hair and clothing, all women are jumping around, screaming, and overreacting about simple comments. This is typically how women are portrayed in American films, especially in the 2000s. These exaggerated actions play into the stereotypes of women in a two-dimensional form. These over dramatic scenes continue throughout the movie, including fights and the women dressed up in every scene. In addition, the college the women attend is considered to be the most prestigious school, and every girl comes from a wealthy family. Overall, the setting and nonverbal actions do not portray the average life of an American woman in the 1950’s.
On the other hand, “And the Spring Comes” is much more realistic in its portrayal of women. For example, Wang Cailing is never overdramatized or characterized by female stereotypes. Her outfits are professional when she is working, and comfortable when she is at home. In fact, the lack of dressiness of her outfits at home emphasizes her struggle to find success as a human being, portraying her as more than a two-dimensional female. Thus, “And the Spring Comes” portrays a female outside of the patriarchal ideologies.
While Wang Cailing recognizes that society will judge her for her looks, she, again, finds happiness outside of the ideals of marriage. In other words, Wang Cailing did not need to be for or against marriage. She would accept if the right offer came along; however, she focuses on her career and adopting a baby.
On the other hand, “Mona Lisa Smile’s” greatest attempt to move outside of the patriarchal realm was simply to bash marriage. For example, Giselle and Ms. Watson, considered to be “the progressive thinkers” only make comments about their frustration with marriage. In other words, regardless of their feelings, the only topic on their minds is a relationship with men. In fact, all of the topics in the film revolve around male and female roles in relationships. In reality, “Mona Lisa Smile” does not offer the same progressive message through the use of topois (文). Another example of how “Mona Lisa Smile” relies on topois (文) to express the message of the importance of a male relationship is the fact that the class only studies male art. In addition, the main plot lines throughout this movie are Betty Warren planning her wedding, the birth control incident with the nurse, and Giselle and Mrs.
Watson’s relationship with Bill Dunbar, which all have to do with relationships with men.
In contrast, “And the Spring Comes” has varying topoi (文) to convey several different messages. While one topic is Wang Cailing looking for happiness in love, Wang Cailing is also seen independent of this, striving to achieve her goals as a singer. Her journey only scratches the surface when it comes to characters searching for a better life. In addition, we also see the struggle of social inequality through the male ballet dancer who describes himself as “a fishbone caught in their throats”.
Overall, both movies contain elements of women’s forced gender roles. That being said, “And the Spring Comes” explores these forced roles on a deeper level. At the same time, “And the Spring Comes” is also able to explore other societal constructs as well.
