Gender Stereotypes In The Matrix

In The Matrix, it is set up to show the strengths that a woman can have right from the beginning. The first scene that the audience is introduced to focuses on Trinity’s capabilities and powers against the agents and police. It is so action-packed and fast-paced that the audience can understand how superhuman it is for Trinity to have gotten away. A cop even says, “We can handle one little girl” but is proven wrong in the following scenes shortly after with Trinity launching a set of fighting skills that is on par with the male characters if not better. Being called a little girl is belittling and implies that the rest of the world believes her to be weak, but she openly outruns the cops and escapes through her own abilities. Her attire of

As mentioned, the two characters have looks that match each others. Because of this fact, it can be determined that the two complete each other. They are two halves of a whole that worked together many times throughout the film to accomplish their goals. This creates the idea of equality within the male and female roles. Many times, Neo required the assistance of Trinity to get things done. In the matrix, Trinity was by Neo’s side when they decided to go and save Morpheus. Going into the building showed their capabilities in fighting and working together as a two-person team. They were both just as competent. On the rooftop, when Neo was about to be shot by an agent, it was also Trinity who saves his life with a precise knife throw when he was about to be shot from behind. Another example of saving his life occured when Trinity shot at an agent that would have killed Neo. The usual route for a woman is to be the helpless one that is saved by a man but in this case, the roles were switched. Trinity takes the role of a hero from Neo by doing this, while Neo falls into the empty role of a girl. More references are made towards this, such as when he was compared to Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole by Morpheus. Neo is seen as a vulnerable girl and he accepts that without even taking any offense to his assumed effeminacy. To further reiterate the interchangeable gender roles in this film, Trinity becomes Prince Charming when she saves Neo with a kiss. This gives power to Trinity again as the savior. Like their looks, the two characters can be switched with each other along with their gender