Need help with my Buffy essay!

[Comfortidor]

Hi guys!
I'm somewhat new in this particular forum and feel a little bad that my very first thread is about me asking for help but I'm miss desperado here!
Basically I'm writing an essay for my film&tv course at uni and its all about but Buffy (yey) and feminist theory (boo).
what I wanted to know from as many of you out there (male or female) is if you think that Buffy is a new kinda woman. That she and the entire buffy verse have changed its viwers views on what feminism is these days.
I hope this is making some kinda sense and I hope that someone can help me. I have ideas but just need more opinions from out there.

Thanks guys!!!!

 

[Xander]

Buffy herself is interesting. It depends what kind of femenist view you take (my sociology course kicking in here). While radical feminists would say that yes it is good she is saving the world and kicking ass they would argue that she is still skinny and good looking, dresses nicely for the boys (alive or not) and was given the power as a way of raping her as so to speak (the original slayer I mean but same applies kind of).

However most feminists (there would be variations as there are liberal, marxists etc) would focus mainly on the good. She does save the world, she looks after her younger sister like a mom, she isn't perfect but doesn't give up, she has overtaken Giles in terms of ability and many other things which make her a feminist icon.

Personally I think she is a strong feminist icon but it is almost belittled because all guys say "I'd do 'er" suggesting she is still eye candy (but can you escape that?). The other characters, Willow I would say is because she changed radically. She grew with this power even if it did take her to a "dark place" and overcame it. She also went from nerd to cant-be-hated. (Please dont say "she's a lesbian so feminists will like her" as thats a stereotype).

Anya, she was very feminist in her demony days. I think she kept most of it, she was headstrong, got a job and had a good life. Hell sometimes she "wore the pants" over Xander so she is a strong femenist icon.

Dawn could be argued that she is not because she's needy, but she's young. She has learnt boys aren't all that and she even wanted to learnt to fight (even if it did go to pot) so I think it's too young to say.

Cant think of anyone else. Hope it helps.

Sidebar, why cant my sociology essays be on Feminism and Buffy.