50 Shades- Feminist Theory

Erica Freedman 1-24-2013 Feminist Theories in Intercultural Perspective- Hoffman The explosively popular 50 Shades of greyness series depicts Ana Steele, an aspiring unripened writer who quickly falls into the clutches of an extremely seductive and winning Christian Grey in a dominant/ submissive rage story. Easily sweeping the young and restless girl off her feet, Greys confident and demanding presence starkly contrasts Anas who is kn throw to ego deprecate and hide behind plain clothing or a pile of books.From the onset it is clear that stereotyping Ana as frail and naive are what allow Christian to appear as the ultimate prince charming. Ana is initially represent as independent hyper-focused on a successful career in the literary world, the consummate(a) daughter and the perfect student who has never had snip for a boyfriend. Her best friend and roommate Kate is even more independent as the requisite foil with the outspoken personality and journalistic go- liveter atti tude. When Kate and Ana lose site of their goals due to the handsome pair of successful brothers, both gender aspects are highlighted.Kates strength is suddenly depicted as a mask that was disguising her truly feminine and love seeking qualities. Her priorities mystify completely disheveled and all she begins to desire is spending more snip with her new infatuation. Ana grapples with a watered down battle of morality where she claims to see immense discomfort in having an overpowering lover who can get her to do anything he wants, while still wanting to make her own way. This idea is consistently undermined by her actions throughout the story.For instance, after saving herself for the perfect person for twenty-two years, Ana is convinced to giver herself away in a unitary-night stand with Grey. Immediately past this point, Christian places Ana in a highly-controlled, uneffective relationship where he stalks her, takes all of her time and insists on buying her things she suppos edly does not desireincluding a new wardrobe and a high position in a publishing company that he decides to consider a few weeks after she begins interning there.Anastasia is suddenly incapable of talking to one of her closest friends, Jose, because of Christians overwhelming jealousy. Ultimately, Anastasia caves to his wishes on that front as well. As sexually liberated and filled with love as Christian makes Ana feel, he also easily and quickly strips her of as much of her freedom as he can. It is these traits that make the existence of their relationship possible. Without Anas willingness to nonplus to Christians expectations and demands, she cannot have him, and so she does what is expected of her instead.