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Grease:
Gender Roles
Jaylin Spry& Angelee Roberts
Period. 3 English
Summary
Grease is a 1978 American musical film that takes place in the 50's. This film follows the lives of a group of high school students. Over the summer, Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson met at the beach and fell in love. To their surprise, they meet again at Rydell High. Danny and Sandy find it hard to continue their summer romance, since the pressure to conform to their own social circles gets in the way. During the course of the movie, there are multiple instances in which all of the characters conform to a specific gender role. However, these characters have to begin to step out of their designated roles.
Thesis
The Thesis
The thesis of this film also applies to conformity in such ways of life in the 50's. Those who tried to defy it were looked down on and made fun of. The presence of gender roles in media helps enforce conformity among members of society, which is seen as an individual level with the main characters who act uniformly in their groups and with a similiar mentality
Throughout the film we see expectations regarding the proper behavior, attitudes, and activities of both male and females in this society.
Gender Roles
Roles:
Danny still wants Sandy although he still acts like a stereotypical bad boy that does not display his emotions.
Roles
The exact moment Sandy sees Danny for the first time after summer, he acted completely different in front of his friends by not showing his true emotions.
Female gender roles
Sandy Still Wants Danny
- Emotional
- Sexually Submissive
- Weak
- Sympathetic
Danny tries to apologize and then makes a move on her during the drive in. Sandy is innocent, naive and warm-hearted unlike the others attending Rydell High
The Want
The Pink Ladies
Male Roles
Pink Ladies
- Independent
- Aggressive
- Strong
- Rebellious
- Athletic
- Only like pink; Feminine Color
- Top-Priority boys
- Conceded
- Promiscuous (Raises status of men)
T-Birds Crew
T-Birds
- Wears black jackets with logo on back
- Top-priority girls
- Competitive with rival groups in town
- Interests include: Cars, masculinity, and girls
Reversal
Role Reversal
Constant role reversal going on within this scene makes the gender roles much more obvious. For example: The lyrics, "You better shape up, cos I need a man and my heart is set on you." Although making her demands heard, she still follows the stereotype of a woman needing a man to feel good. Despite dressing differently, gaining the male attention she desires goes along with finding a new confidence within herself. The lyrics, "Tell me about it... stud", that Sandy sings is only feuling Danny's ego