Program Concentration
Literary Arts
Abstract
Comic books in their current form have been a staple of American pop culture for nearly a century. The combination of art and narrative provides a unique storytelling medium that has evolved with each new batch of artists and authors over the decades. The imagination's impossible and fantastical qualities are actualized in ways that non-visual literature cannot compete with, reaching audiences of all ages and reading comprehension. However, like with all fiction, the influence of reality cannot be denied. Despite the colorful costumes and progressive storylines, comic book stories suffer from a long-standing misogynistic motive that has long plagued literature. When written by men, women become corrupted by power and inevitably become the story's villains. This essay focuses on the character Jean Grey and her portrayal in various storylines throughout the decades to expose misogynistic clichés that limit character growth and rare instances of positive depictions of women controlling their power and how these stories bleed into the real world. Additionally, this paper aims to reveal that Grey's vilification and corruption are not necessarily the result of lazy writing, but rather, they mirror cultural fears and biases towards women in positions of power.
Document Type
Essay
Publication Date
Fall 11-17-2024
Rights
© The Author(s)
