Wonder Woman And Gender Stereotypes

Comics have largely contributed to encouraging the war effort by including patriotic agenda which are against the Axis forces. In the UN during the 1940’s, there were appearance of fascist leaders who opposed any opposite views. This lead to the emergence of patriotic heroes who participated in the war effort and fought against spies from rival countries. Comics gradually became more popular. People enjoyed the idea having a superhero, who would defeat the common enemy and bring a sense of achievement for the nation while also being able to connect with the struggles and prejudice the superhero faced. They depicted strength, winning, hope and promoted the war effort of pro-American.

Wonder Woman was one example of the comics that supported

In the 1940s, there were specific gender roles that were associated to them. Men were seen superior to women. They would smoke pipes/ cigars and dictate women while women were flirtatious, not concentrating on work and manipulative. Married women were also expected to stay at home, do chores and housework. These were the gender expectations at the time. However, women in politics started promoting an independent life which lead to the increase in working women. Wonder woman was then released which centred around an independent, free, strong woman which was unlike the other superhero stories that showed only men as the protagonists. Techniques used in Wonder woman showed the gender differences in the society then. Wonder Woman bore bracelets which symbolised the suppression and suffering. The bracelets were to remind wonder woman of what would happen if men ever chain them, they would become weak again. Wonder woman also uses juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between Gestapo (representing the Germans) and Steve (representing the Americans). Gestapo exerts force and pressures the woman, holding her by the neck while Steve speaks kindly to Eve and shows concern for her. The panels show the contrast in the treatment of Eve. While Gestapo embodies values of violence and force to discipline, Steve is kinder, less violent and considerate which represented ideas that American audience who agree to. The motif of chains in Wonder Woman show female emancipation and self-determination to be freed from them. During the time, the suffragette movement was in action which fought for womens’ freedom and human rights. They would chain themselves and march in chains to show their suppression and suffering. This motif of chains occurs in Wonder Woman as she has to break free from the chains that bond her. Marston believed in the purpose of the suffragette movement also