Buffy girls, what we think about them??

[Sara91]

Hi guys,
Being a Buffy fan I have decided to base my dissertation on the representation of women within the vampire genre.
This means that I am analyzing the women in Buffy, The Vampire Diaries and True Blood.

I would REALLY appreciate it if you could answer some questions about them.
I also have questionnaires on True Blood and TVD if anyone would like to have a look at them please do let me know

Thank you so much in advance.

And just a quick note in regards to plagiarism that by answering you consent to me using your answers in my work as well as possibly quoting them.



1. Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?

2. Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?


3. What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women?


4. Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them?



5. Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?


6. Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?

7. Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)


8. Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)

9. Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?


10. How do you feel about Buffy's actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn't even fight for him.


11. What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can't keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn't settle for just anything?

12. Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?

13. Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist's worse nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble?

Here are some questions that compare Buffy The Vampire Slayer to other vampire shows True Blood and The Vampire Diaries, please answer them if you have watched either or both of the other shows.

14. Do you think that characters such as Cordelia (Buffy), Debbie (True Blood) and Jenna (The Vampire Diaries) who were all cut off from the series rather fast are put there to keep the stereotypical views of women being psychotic, clueless, weak and bitchy?


15. Do you think women still fall puppet to men? (Buffy sleeping with Spike even though she hates him, Elena finally giving in to Damon, Caroline and Vickie both were controlled by Damon, Sookie giving into Eric)
16. Do you think that Buffy, Elena and Sookie could still be seen as powerful women if they were not a vampire slayer/fairy/doppelganger with key blood?


17. Do you believe that the depiction of female vampires/demons makes them the more sexually aggressive gender therefore causing an unfair portrayal? Or do you believe that this is a good way of portraying women, making them appear strong and domineering over men for once and making the walk between the typical depictions of women such as good/bad, virgin/slut not so black and white? (Characters to consider Pam(True Blood), Caroline, Katherine and Isabelle (Vampire Diaries, Glorificus (Buffy))

Thank you so much for your time

 

[Ripper666]

1. Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?

Buffy she strong, brave, pretty 😀 and she forgive people even if the people give a shit about her. This human side of her is still fantastic. She is happy, sad, dissapointed. So human.

2. Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?

She shows womanpower and she helps people whereever she can, even if she don't know anything about them


3. What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women?

Tara she gave up her love to rescue the relationship with Willow! Very heroic.

4. Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them?

No just think about the Buffy-Parker relationship!

5. Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?

No, in my eyes there was no development. Womans still had been in the same position as man at the beginning of the show.

6. Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?

Harmony and Willow, they freak out because of their loves! And the drug-metaphor !

7. Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)

Yes, they are more attractive! So more interesting!


8. Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)

Well both characters had a great handling potenzial!

9. Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?

No. Not between Willow nd Buffy. But between Willow and Cordelia yes because of Xander!

10. How do you feel about Buffy’s actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn’t even fight for him.

She didn't fight for him??? I disagree with this statement! She fought for him..and lost...and that's it!

11. What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can’t keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn’t settle for just anything?

Well, I don't know, I really don't know! But I think this isn't the important question!The real question is in my eyes: Did Buffy's view of Boyfriend-relationships changed after she became a Slayer?

12. Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?

No there is Buffy, Willow and Tara who show the opposide. MAybe Cordelia in a exaggerated role of Miss Glamour!

13. Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist’s worse nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble?

Yes! Cordelia in BTVS but not in Angel!

Sorry with the other questions I can't help you! Hope this is usefull for you!

 

[Sara91]

Ty

Thank you so much for your input Ripper666 😀

 

[sisterofmercy]

Great thread, you're lucky to have such an interesting topic to write about.



1. Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?

Buffy-she's strong minded, independent and resourceful.

2. Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?

Yes- she shows that women are just as strong as men and that girls don't have to conform to gender stereotypes if we don't want to.


3. What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women?

Tara- she is inherently good and loving. Willow is a more realistic representation of everyday women though, i.e. those who have insecurities and those who make mistakes.


4. Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them?

No. Even in S2 Buffy killed Angel as it was the right thing to do, despite loving him. You can also see in Chosen that she leaves Spike after declaring her love for him in the hellmouth. Shows that while love is important, it's even better to be true to yourself and your character.


5. Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?

Possibly.

6. Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?

Dawn, though she seemed fairly emotionally strong considering all she went through, so I'm not so sure actually.

7. Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)

Yeah. It shows that women are found everywhere and are just as capable of evil as men. It also emphasises the ability of the woman to be strong and defy fixed gender roles.

8. Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)

I don't think their gender has anything to do with it, I think they were just given more personality and depth than some of the other big bads. The Mayor was also in the series for a while if you remember and he was an interesting character.

9. Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?

Not between Buffy and Cordelia, but definitely between Buffy and Willow in S6. I think perhaps it was always there a tiny bit though.

10. How do you feel about Buffy's actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn't even fight for him.

She does what she has to. She couldn't have saved him as that would have led to the end of the world. Angel was the one who ultimately left her but again, that was because it as necessary in order for Buffy to progress as a person and a slayer. The fact she accepts him when he comes back though is more because she loves him and she knows he's not Angelus anymore, but the others may have trouble remembering that.

11. What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can't keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn't settle for just anything?

I think she never kept a boyfriend because she was always so busy saving the world that she didn't have time to grow up properly, but even then, when you're growing up you don't tend to have relationships that last that long anyway. Like Buffy said herself, she's cookie dough.

12. Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?

To a certain extent I suppose. I think Glory was more than just a stereotypical woman though, she was a stereotypical valley girl. Anya does seem a bit more like a heightened version of someone from Sex and the City at times.

13. Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist's worse nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble?

No. Not everyone is strong, whether they're male or female. You only need to see Xander to see that it's not just the females acting as damsel in distress.

 

[Sara91]

Thank you sister of mercy.
We could choose our topic as long as it was within things that we had been studying, having such interest in the vampire genre I couldn't help myself 🙂

Thank you for your input.

 

[BeccaBot94]

1.Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?

I think i'm going to have to choose Buffy. She is forced to become strong through the responsibilities placed on her shoulders at a young age. We see cracks from this pressure but she ultimately ends on top (with her sense of humor intact)

2.Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?

Yes. She's strong morally & physically. Also, at the end of chosen we don't see her paired off with a man she is happy to have her friends and her sister.

3.What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women?

Anya. She use to torture men for their wrong-doings :hihi: Plus, she is uncensored in speaking her mind and in the end she sacrifices her own life protecting Andrew.

4.Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them?

No. Buffy sacrifices two of the men (and vampires) that she loves for everybody else in the world and she wouldn't give up her humanity for love.

5.Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?

No.

6.Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?

Willow. She is affected by others actions more so than other females on the show.

7.Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)

Yes. I don't think a male glory, dawn... would have worked. Part of their strength or weaknesses are influenced by there femininity.

8.Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)

No just due to their characters quality's and/or plot.

9.Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?

With Cordelia yes because she is what Buffy use to be and i think that can cause some rivalry and with Willow i think Xander could be a cause of rivalry because both Willow and Cordelia have feelings for him. I don't think Buffy and Willow have.

10.How do you feel about Buffy's actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn't even fight for him.

She kills him because she doesn't have a choice and afterwards becomes very closed off and when she was starting "get over" him he comes back. When he leaves i think she also does this for the happiness of others rather than her own.

11.What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can't keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn't settle for just anything?

I think this is mainly because Joss doesn't know what to do with happy couples 😛

With Angel she couldn't have know what would happen then with Scott(?) i don't think she really feels anything for him, Riley was good for her but when he became a regular vulnerable boyfriend she wasn't interested anymore and Spike isn't a healthy relationship until perhaps season 7.

I don't think she needs or looks for a relationship for the sake of it things just naturally happen the same with how her relationships end.

12.Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?

I do think that these characters can be seen as a stereotypical superficial woman but on the other end of the scale there is Buffy so it's just showing different kinds of characters.

13.Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist's worse nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble?

Maybe, both character get into a lot of trouble but they can both be considered strong people. Just not physically.

 

[caritas08]

1. Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?
Buffy. Because she is vulnerable, sensitive, caring, feminine and sympathetic, as well as brave, strong, independent and determined. She possesses quality character traits which in the past have been relagated to only men or only women.

2. Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?
Yes, because while possessing character traits such as strength, power, courage and self reliance (which in the past are often reserved for male characters) she also is thoughtful, caring, loving and emotionally vulnerable (which are often reserved for only female characters). She is a good role model for boys and for girls.

3. What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women? Most of the women in Buffy (Willow, Faith, Cordelia, Tara, Dawn, Joyce, Anya) represent women in a positive light by doing what many other shows/movies fail to do....giving viewers a variety. There is not one perfect feminist mold with specific traits to model characters after any more than there is on perfect feminist female in the real world. Characters in Buffy, both male and female, vary greatly in their strengths and weaknesses, yet most are portrayed to be good people and sympathetic human beings. This allows girl viewers to be themselves by relating to a character that fits them instead of trying to fit themselves into a character or model themselves after a specific character or type of personality.


4. Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them? It is hard to generalize because vampire shows vary greatly, but in general, I would say the vampire genre has been positive for feminist characters because it has pushed them to the forefront instead of relegating them to the background of the story like many other genres. My concerns for vampire shows in general has more to do with its message to boys than to girls.



5. Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?In general, yes. Many vampire series I have seen (Buffy, Angel, The Vampire Diaries) show women's struggle to be independent and strong and yet support their loved ones and allow themselves to be loved.


6. Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?
I don't really see any characters I would classify as weak or pathetic. Just characters I myself can't relate to such as Harmony or Drusilla.


7. Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)
I would have to do a count to see if the majority actually are female as I think most demons on the show have been male. I am glad the show has not shied away from having strong female villains as well as strong female heroes.

8. Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)Not really, male demons such as Spike, Angel, Clem, Oz (supernatural) also spend a lot of time on the series.

9. Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?
I think there is some rivalry between Buffy and Cordelia as both characters have similar traits (strong, self relaiant , outspoken but this isn't portrayed in any more of a negative light than rivalries between the males of the shows are (Spike/Angel, Angel Xander etc.

10. How do you feel about Buffy’s actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn’t even fight for him. Buffy cared for Angel and he multiple times as proven that he cares for her. Her decision to take him back was difficult because he also had proven on more than one occasion that he was her friend and was on her side and for her to not take him back when he needed her would have been her turning her back on a friend. When she let him go at the end of Season Three he no longer needed her and she knew he would be alright.


11. What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can’t keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn’t settle for just anything? I think Buffy's problems with the romantic relationships are a good portrayal at the struggle between lonliness and independence which many women experience. The show portrays that adult relationships are not always simple or fairy taleesque withithout being demeaning to Buffy herself.

12. Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?Although the characters sometimes portray those emotions, the male characters (Xander, Spike) also portray those emotions so I don't think it creates a negative stereotype for women.

13. Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist’s worse nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble? I've never seen more than two episodes of True Blood but I would argue that Cordelia uses her wit and determination to get herself out of trouble on multiple occasions.

Here are some questions that compare Buffy The Vampire Slayer to other vampire shows True Blood and The Vampire Diaries, please answer them if you have watched either or both of the other shows.

14. Do you think that characters such as Cordelia (Buffy), Debbie (True Blood) and Jenna (The Vampire Diaries) who were all cut off from the series rather fast are put there to keep the stereotypical views of women being psychotic, clueless, weak and bitchy? I would not describe Jenna or Cordelia's character as psychotic, or weak although both could sometimes be clueless and Cordy could be bitchy. I think both characters exited the shows to further the plot and not to avoid character development for either character.


15. Do you think women still fall puppet to men? (Buffy sleeping with Spike even though she hates him, Elena finally giving in to Damon, Caroline and Vickie both were controlled by Damon, Sookie giving into Eric)I don't see Buffy sleeping with Spike as her falling puppet to him as much as her using him. I take great issue on Vampire Diaries with how Damon uses women without ever being called on it or dealing with true cosequences for it though I don't think Elena has ever given in to him.
16. Do you think that Buffy, Elena and Sookie could still be seen as powerful women if they were not a vampire slayer/fairy/doppelganger with key blood? Absolutely, they use their brains and non supernatural knowhow to help save their friends and get themselves out of trouble on multiple occasions.


17. Do you believe that the depiction of female vampires/demons makes them the more sexually aggressive gender therefore causing an unfair portrayal? Or do you believe that this is a good way of portraying women, making them appear strong and domineering over men for once and making the walk between the typical depictions of women such as good/bad, virgin/slut not so black and white? (Characters to consider Pam(True Blood), Caroline, Katherine and Isabelle (Vampire Diaries, Glorificus (Buffy))
Again, I think variety is the key. I think it is important to show different types of women with different levels of sexuality and personality without condemning any of them for their personal traits.

 

[Buffy Summers]

Just for future reference, you really should ask a site's owner before you use their site for research.

Can you please let people know if any personally identifiable information of theirs will be used by you?

 

[caritas08]

1. Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?
Buffy. Because she is vulnerable, sensitive, caring, feminine and sympathetic, as well as brave, strong, independent and determined. She possesses quality character traits which in the past have been relagated to only men or only women.

2. Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?
Yes, because while possessing character traits such as strength, power, courage and self reliance (which in the past are often reserved for male characters) she also is thoughtful, caring, loving and emotionally vulnerable (which are often reserved for only female characters). She is a good role model for boys and for girls.

3. What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women? Most of the women in Buffy (Willow, Faith, Cordelia, Tara, Dawn, Joyce, Anya) represent women in a positive light by doing what many other shows/movies fail to do....giving viewers a variety. There is not one perfect feminist mold with specific traits to model characters after any more than there is on perfect feminist female in the real world. Characters in Buffy, both male and female, vary greatly in their strengths and weaknesses, yet most are portrayed to be good people and sympathetic human beings. This allows girl viewers to be themselves by relating to a character that fits them instead of trying to fit themselves into a character or model themselves after a specific character or type of personality.


4. Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them? It is hard to generalize because vampire shows vary greatly, but in general, I would say the vampire genre has been positive for feminist characters because it has pushed them to the forefront instead of relegating them to the background of the story like many other genres. My concerns for vampire shows in general has more to do with its message to boys than to girls.



5. Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?In general, yes. Many vampire series I have seen (Buffy, Angel, The Vampire Diaries) show women's struggle to be independent and strong and yet support their loved ones and allow themselves to be loved.


6. Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?
I don't really see any characters I would classify as weak or pathetic. Just characters I myself can't relate to such as Harmony or Drusilla.


7. Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)
I would have to do a count to see if the majority actually are female as I think most demons on the show have been male. I am glad the show has not shied away from having strong female villains as well as strong female heroes.

8. Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)Not really, male demons such as Spike, Angel, Clem, Oz (supernatural) also spend a lot of time on the series.

9. Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?
I think there is some rivalry between Buffy and Cordelia as both characters have similar traits (strong, self relaiant , outspoken but this isn't portrayed in any more of a negative light than rivalries between the males of the shows are (Spike/Angel, Angel Xander etc.

10. How do you feel about Buffy's actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn't even fight for him. Buffy cared for Angel and he multiple times as proven that he cares for her. Her decision to take him back was difficult because he also had proven on more than one occasion that he was her friend and was on her side and for her to not take him back when he needed her would have been her turning her back on a friend. When she let him go at the end of Season Three he no longer needed her and she knew he would be alright.


11. What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can't keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn't settle for just anything? I think Buffy's problems with the romantic relationships are a good portrayal at the struggle between lonliness and independence which many women experience. The show portrays that adult relationships are not always simple or fairy taleesque withithout being demeaning to Buffy herself.

12. Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?Although the characters sometimes portray those emotions, the male characters (Xander, Spike) also portray those emotions so I don't think it creates a negative stereotype for women.

13. Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist's worse nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble? I've never seen more than two episodes of True Blood but I would argue that Cordelia uses her wit and determination to get herself out of trouble on multiple occasions.

Here are some questions that compare Buffy The Vampire Slayer to other vampire shows True Blood and The Vampire Diaries, please answer them if you have watched either or both of the other shows.

14. Do you think that characters such as Cordelia (Buffy), Debbie (True Blood) and Jenna (The Vampire Diaries) who were all cut off from the series rather fast are put there to keep the stereotypical views of women being psychotic, clueless, weak and bitchy? I would not describe Jenna or Cordelia's character as psychotic, or weak although both could sometimes be clueless and Cordy could be bitchy. I think both characters exited the shows to further the plot and not to avoid character development for either character.


15. Do you think women still fall puppet to men? (Buffy sleeping with Spike even though she hates him, Elena finally giving in to Damon, Caroline and Vickie both were controlled by Damon, Sookie giving into Eric)I don't see Buffy sleeping with Spike as her falling puppet to him as much as her using him. I take great issue on Vampire Diaries with how Damon uses women without ever being called on it or dealing with true cosequences for it though I don't think Elena has ever given in to him.
16. Do you think that Buffy, Elena and Sookie could still be seen as powerful women if they were not a vampire slayer/fairy/doppelganger with key blood? Absolutely, they use their brains and non supernatural knowhow to help save their friends and get themselves out of trouble on multiple occasions.


17. Do you believe that the depiction of female vampires/demons makes them the more sexually aggressive gender therefore causing an unfair portrayal? Or do you believe that this is a good way of portraying women, making them appear strong and domineering over men for once and making the walk between the typical depictions of women such as good/bad, virgin/slut not so black and white? (Characters to consider Pam(True Blood), Caroline, Katherine and Isabelle (Vampire Diaries, Glorificus (Buffy))
Again, I think variety is the key. I think it is important to show different types of women with different levels of sexuality and personality without condemning any of them for their personal traits.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Yippee, a survey!

Welcome to BB, by the way, 🙂

Hi guys,
Being a Buffy fan I have decided to base my dissertation on the representation of women within the vampire genre.
This means that I am analyzing the women in Buffy, The Vampire Diaries and True Blood.

So, contemporary vampire genre in television? It's good you're narrowing it down, because the vampire genre is so big...and thank God you're not including Twilight, lol.

I would REALLY appreciate it if you could answer some questions about them.
I also have questionnaires on True Blood and TVD if anyone would like to have a look at them please do let me know

Thank you so much in advance.

And just a quick note in regards to plagiarism that by answering you consent to me using your answers in my work as well as possibly quoting them.

1. Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?

Buffy, absolutely. I admire her so much. She is human and hero. She is brave, selfless, and loving. Her incredible capacity to love and forgive is inspiring. She's a beautifully crafted character in all respects.

2. Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?

Oooh, tricky waters. Yes and No. I'm on the fence on this, so to speak. Buffy tried to be a feminist show, and we know that was Joss' intention to do so, but I'm hesitant to label it as such because, for me, Buffy is so much more than that. Buffy is life - it's not an agenda. That said, Buffy herself certainly has many characteristics of that people like to say are traditional "feminist" traits- independence,
mainly. I guess my issue is that I have an issue with all strong female characters labeled as "feminist."

3. What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women?

There are many strong women characters in Buffy! Anya, for one. She was always blunt and sure of herself and what she wanted.

4. Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them?

Absolutely in some ways, especially with Twilight - but it's certainly not that simple. In Buffy, for instance, Buffy allowing Angel to feed on her has dire consequences - she almost dies. Although the scene was played as a metaphor for sex, it's clear that Joss was trying to say the opposite of what you're proposing - that girls shouldn't do anything for love, because it's dangerous. Plus, in Buffy, the traditional roles are reversed, as it's Buffy that forces Angel to drink from her, which is interesting.

5. Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?

Hmm. Not sure on that. I'm not too up-to-date on the contemporary feminist movements and their newest theories.

6. Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?

Harmony, for sure. The way she let Spike treat her? Soul or no soul, it wasn't right.

7. Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)

No, I hadn't thought of that. I don't think it goes beyond Joss simple preferring strong female characters.

8. Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)

Again, see above.

9. Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?

Well, I didn't think so, but then I read this article on female rivalry in the show, and the author made the argument that female friendships can't exist with the two women are in competition for the same man, and I think there is a bit of truth to that, whether or not it was a conscious decision on the part of the writers. I can direct you to the article if you'd like. You might like to use it for your paper.

10. How do you feel about Buffy’s actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn’t even fight for him.

How I feel about Buffy and Angel could fill a book.

Really, though, their relationship was/is complicated, and all I can really say is that when it comes to who she loves, Buffy is very forgiving, perhaps to a fault.

11. What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can’t keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn’t settle for just anything?

Wow, loaded question.

Generally, I think Buffy is just like the rest of us regarding relationships; she's just trying to find one that works.

As for the second part of your question; no, I don't believe Buffy likes to be free from men. All signs point to that Buffy wants love, and companionship, and I believe a man (or demon?) that is her equal - physically and mentally, and who loves, admires, and respects her. Someone like Spike.

It's not Buffy's fault that her boyfriends don't stick around. Angel had to leave to protect her from himself. Riley cheated on her. Spike died for her war. And you're right that Buffy shouldn't settle. She's amazing and she deserves the best.

12. Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?

Interesting. I'd have to ponder that.

13. Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist’s worse nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble?

Yeah, lol, I think they are. What about Elena, too? She's always needing to be saved as well.

Here are some questions that compare Buffy The Vampire Slayer to other vampire shows True Blood and The Vampire Diaries, please answer them if you have watched either or both of the other shows.

I am very familiar with Buffy and True Blood, but not so much with TVD. I'll try my best, though. 😉

14. Do you think that characters such as Cordelia (Buffy), Debbie (True Blood) and Jenna (The Vampire Diaries) who were all cut off from the series rather fast are put there to keep the stereotypical views of women being psychotic, clueless, weak and bitchy?

Debbies the kinda redneck werewolf, right? Alcide's sex? I'm not familiar with Jenna or her role...but in regard to Cordelia, I believe her character filled a larger role than just Buffy's foil and comic relief; it just wasn't apparent until later.

15. Do you think women still fall puppet to men? (Buffy sleeping with Spike even though she hates him, Elena finally giving in to Damon, Caroline and Vickie both were controlled by Damon, Sookie giving into Eric)
16. Do you think that Buffy, Elena and Sookie could still be seen as powerful women if they were not a vampire slayer/fairy/doppelganger with key blood?

No, I think in life these types of things are inevitable, and simply reflect life.

17. Do you believe that the depiction of female vampires/demons makes them the more sexually aggressive gender therefore causing an unfair portrayal? Or do you believe that this is a good way of portraying women, making them appear strong and domineering over men for once and making the walk between the typical depictions of women such as good/bad, virgin/slut not so black and white? (Characters to consider Pam(True Blood), Caroline, Katherine and Isabelle (Vampire Diaries, Glorificus (Buffy))

Thank you so much for your time

I think it's good to portray both men and women and sexually courageous in television.

 

[Sara91]

Hi Darla,
Sorry it completely slipped my mind to ask but I will do after this post.
As for using people's answers, I did mention that on my first post with the questions that by answering people are consenting to me referencing their answers. ~
It is university work so I do have to be careful about plagiarism, I wouldn't use anyone's answers without consent.

And to everyone who has replied thank you so much to all the replies so far, you are all much more helpful than TVD or TB forums 😛

Anyone still wanting to post is more than welcome to 😀
xx

 

[Buffy Summers]

Please let people know, as I said, whether they will be anonymously quoted, whether their username/name will be used, whether the board url will be used, etc. You need to disclose any such privacy issues.

 

[Willow My Love]

1. Who is your favourite female character in the series and why?
Willow. She starts out this timid girl, but then becomes this amazingly powerful witch, and more than that, a strong, confident woman. She turns herself around. She has so much strength in her, and so much faith in people in general. She's incredibly supportive, and very loving, and I just admire her.

2. Do you think Buffy is a good feminist icon, why?
I think so. She was strong, always fought, and did the right thing, even if she didn't want to. She proved that women don't need men to rescue them all the time; that we can fend for ourselves.

3. What other female characters in the series if any do you consider good feminist icons/good representation of women?
Willow, and Joyce. Willow because she showed that even the shy, geeky ones become strong, confident women. And Joyce, because she was an amazing representation of how a mother should be.

4. Do you believe that the way women are portrayed in vampire shows has instead of creating strong feminists, created women who will do anything for love? Including letting vampires feed on them?
Some shows, yes. Some shows. Twilight is a horrible example of how women should act. The Vampire Diaries, however, has a lot of strong women portrayed, I believe.

5. Do you think women in the vampire series reflect contemporary societies and the progress of feminist movements?
Again, some of them. You can't just loop them all together because they have vampires in them. Buffy completely showed where the feminist movement was, and still is, going. Women are getting stronger, and more than that, we're realizing it.

6. Are there any particularly weak female in the series? If yes, who and why?
I think Cordelia, but only in Buffy. In Angel, she really became her own character. But she was only in high school, so she didn't get a chance to grow into herself on that show.

7. Do you think there is relevance to the majority of demons and supernatural characters in the series being female? (Glorificus, Anya, Tara, Willow, Dawn)
I don't think so. There were a lot of male demons as well. (Spike, Angel, Adam, The Master, Clem, etc.)

8. Do you think there is relevance that the two most prolific demons are females who stay in the series longer than other demons? (Glory and Anya)
First, Glory was a God, and second, Anya wasn't a demon for most of the show. I think the significance of Glory was that being as selfish as she was will end badly in the long run, and with Anya, she changed her ways for someone she truly loved, in the end. And Spike is a demon that's in the show before Anya and is there longer than Glory. He was a demon as well. So I don't think your statement is true.

9. Do you think there is rivalry between Buffy, Cordelia and/or Willow? If yes why?
I think, at first, there was between Buffy and Cordy, but only because they were both used to being the queen bee. Eventually they grew out of that. High school ended. In the later seasons, I don't think there'd be any kind of rivalry.

10. How do you feel about Buffy’s actions towards Angel? First she kills him, then she accepts him again at the risk of her friends no longer talking to her, then she lets him go and doesn’t even fight for him.
That's not fair. She killed him because she HAD to, not because she WANTED to. And she still loved him. He was still her soulmate and vice versa. Her acceptance of him had nothing to do with her friends. And it's not that she didn't fight for him, she knew what he told her was true. They couldn't have been together in a conventional relationship, so it was right for him to hold her back. But she'll always love him.

11. What do you think about Buffy and her relationships? She can’t keep a supernatural or human boyfriend, does she just enjoy being free from men? Or can she not keep one because of the slaying or because she doesn’t settle for just anything?
I feel like your view of relationships is very skewed. It's not that she can't keep a boyfriend. She doesn't need to. Women don't need men to be happy, and Buffy shows that. Women and men break up a lot. At the end of the series, Buffy is only what, 23? That's the age I am. From the time we met Buffy, to the time we left her, she's had less relationships than I have. So I've had more failed relationships. That doesn't mean a whole lot at my age. She was very young when we left her. And, it's like she says at the end of the series, she's not done becoming who she's going to be. Until she can accept herself, how can she let someone else accept her? To love someone else, you must first love yourself. It's not about them, it's about her loving herself, and finding out who she really is. She spent so much of season 6 depressed, and that wasn't her. In season 7, we start to see her become herself, but we never got to see that finish.

12. Do you think that female demons in Buffy Anya and Glory are portrayed as stereotypes of women as whinny, anxious, psychotic and excitable?
No, I don't. I think the characters were actually pretty relatable.

13. Do you think Cordelia and Tara (True Blood) are a feminist’s worst nightmare? Always having to be saved and being magnets for trouble?
I've never seen True Blood. But no. Cordelia was not. Eventually, she became this strong, independent character. You had to have seen her on Angel. She grew into a very strong woman.

Here are some questions that compare Buffy The Vampire Slayer to other vampire shows True Blood and The Vampire Diaries, please answer them if you have watched either or both of the other shows.
I haven't seen True Blood.

14. Do you think that characters such as Cordelia (Buffy), Debbie (True Blood) and Jenna (The Vampire Diaries) who were all cut off from the series rather fast are put there to keep the stereotypical views of women being psychotic, clueless, weak and bitchy?
No. Cordelia moved on, and Jenna was killed against her will. It wasn't meant to kill off a good character, it was plot development.


15. Do you think women still fall puppet to men? (Buffy sleeping with Spike even though she hates him, Elena finally giving in to Damon, Caroline and Vickie both were controlled by Damon, Sookie giving into Eric)
Elena hasn't given in to Damon yet. And no. The thing with Buffy and Spike had more meaning than just "she fell prey to a man again..." I feel like you're WAY more cynical than I am.

16. Do you think that Buffy, Elena and Sookie could still be seen as powerful women if they were not a vampire slayer/fairy/doppelganger with key blood?
Look at how Elena fought Katherine before she knew she was the doppelganger with special blood. And look at Buffy in Helpless. They were both strong women who fought with everything they had.


17. Do you believe that the depiction of female vampires/demons makes them the more sexually aggressive gender therefore causing an unfair portrayal? Or do you believe that this is a good way of portraying women, making them appear strong and domineering over men for once and making the walk between the typical depictions of women such as good/bad, virgin/slut not so black and white? (Characters to consider Pam(True Blood), Caroline, Katherine and Isabelle (Vampire Diaries, Glorificus (Buffy))
No. I think that women are different. Some are shy, some are confident, some are sexually aggressive. The same goes for men. Take Stefan and Damon (from the first two seasons) for example. Stefan was calm, and kind, and compassionate. Damon was reckless, and passionate, and mean. Elena was more like Stefan, and Katherine was more like Damon. Men and women are different, but more so, women are different and men are different. It's not showing anything bad about women, or making us out to be domineering and vindictive at all. It's just showing that people are different.

NOTE: I want to say that I really don't understand where you got some of your opinions. I feel like you think women are ALWAYS depicted as the weaklings, and only Buffy shows a strong woman. Or that you think that women are always weak, no matter what. And you put too much significance on Anya and Glory. There were four male "big bads" and only two female ones. For a lot of the time that Anya was on the show, she was human, just like Xander.

Also, if you're quoting us, I'd like to be kept anonymous. Thank you.

 

[Cast No Shadow]

I've looked through your topic, but I think most of your questions are leading and are therefore difficult to answer. I think you need to begin with a neutral standing point.

---------- Post added at 09:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------

Especially if you're trying to be ethical.

 

[Sara91]

Please let people know, as I said, whether they will be anonymously quoted, whether their username/name will be used, whether the board url will be used, etc. You need to disclose any such privacy issues.

The board URL will be used in my bibliography and the answers from users will be quoted anonymously with a link to the board's URL at the end.
I'm still in the research phase of the project so I don't know yet who will be quoted or if anyone will be quoted, I will most likely quote answers in a majority/minority form where I add up everyone's answers and just speak of the answers generally rather than individually that is why everyone will stay anonymous.

Hope this makes it a little clearer.

[MENTION=156]Willow[/MENTION]_my_love: Just about your final comment, I don't think women are always seen as weaklings, I believe the opposite, that is why I am giving people questions which will make them argue that women are strong not weak, I am representing women as strong and how that strength can be seen in contemporary societies, I find it easier to get results putting questions out that way rather than just writing something positive which will have everyone agreeing with me, it needs to be arguable that they can be seen either way but ultimately, women represented positively will be my conclusion 🙂 Buffy is my focus, but of course I will be speaking of other female characters as well, so I just wanted to see what other people other than myself thought of them.
Also, having to hand in my research to be looked over on the 9th of January I did not have as much time as I wanted to formulate the questionnaire I do realize now that some of the questions are a bit strong or not worded as well as they could be so I will be changing that in the near future.