Exploration of representation of women

In order to go against most representation of women, I have decided to view how women are particularly portrayed in a drama based genre, this will allow me to explore in further depth how women are typically portrayed in order to create drama and excitement as this will enable me to incorporate these within my groups opening sequence. As discussed within the group, we have decided to go against typical representations of women, and so this will allow us to view the conventions in which we must challenge

Representation of “Naomi Clark” within 90210 from season 1-5.

90210 is a teen drama in which attempts to represent the lives of older teenagers within Beverley Hills. The audience are typically girls aged between 15-18 as the storylines target current events that could possibly be occurring in their life, thus giving them almost a relationship with the characters also supported by the idea that as the characters get older, so do the audience. Furthermore, the reason some people may choose to watch this as to aspire to their lives and escape from realism, as the life they portray as having is extremely busy and popular as they’re wealthy and young - a lot like within action films.

One of the main female roles within this series is Naomi Clark, although within the first season arguably she reflects many theories revolving around representation of women, I would now suggest that she is now challenging these representations and stereotypes within season 5. Within the first season Naomi was portrayed as superior and pretentious as she had extreme wealth and power over her peers as long as they were female for she appeared extremely dependent on the fact that she needed her boyfriend – Ethan. This was shown as shocking as she appeared strong and dominant which challenges typical representation and stereotypes as one of the six technical codes of presenting gender would suggest that women are less-dominant than men however she is shown to reflect male approval as even when she did not longer have feelings for her boyfriend she wanted his approval and attention.

As times have developed so has the character, thus challenging McNiel’s theory in 1975 of women’s movement being ignored, as Naomi became extremely independent, reflecting the typical, more recent views on women and their equality. Furthermore, Naomi is shown to challenge more feminist theories as she is shown to be career driven and ambitious as she is soon to make her own business showing that she does not aspire to have children and marry like the rest of her peers, she begins to show lack of emotion and becomes stronger when things don’t appear to go her way, again challenging typical stereotypes of women being more passive and emotional.

Despite this, Naomi does appear to reflect the typical “beauty” look where appearance is concerned throughout as she is constantly shown to be eager in fashion. Within season one however, she attempts to embarrass everyone who looks different however as she grows she begins to understand more and become more willing of change at the end of the series. She reflects the male gaze theory as she is sexualised, both by herself and men as she usually uses her body to get what she wants, constantly putting on bikinis and strutting around her slim body that most of the audience would aspire too. Thus may reflect Fouts theory within 2002 of young single women conforming to the girl next door appearance, tall and thin, whilst mocking any women that look bigger or “less attractive” this is represented when Naomi meets one of her old high school friends and expresses in delight “you’ve lost so much weight, you look great now”