Various female individuals have defied traditional femininity and its main characteristics. The character of Katherine Hepburn in the movie “Adam’s Rib” is an exceptional example of such disobedience, as she ignores the expectations towards women (Cukor, 1949). Di Battista’s (2003) statement regarding dames and traditional notions of femininity perfectly explains the behavior of the character played by Katherine Hepburn, as she disregards such notions.
The author represents the battle between female desires to behave in a certain way and social attitudes towards such actions. DiBattista (2003) argues that fast-talking dames often mock communities’ stereotypes towards respectable femininity. However, they can also ignore such attitudes when confronted with them. Altogether, fast-talking dames defy traditional norms regarding women’s actions and appearance.
Amanda is a remarkable character who ignores the social expectations on several occasions during the movie “Adam’s Rib”. In the court scene, when the woman interrogates one of the men on the subject of women’s rights, she disregards the objections towards her behavior and continues with her endeavor (Cukor, 1949). It is important to note that in her dialogue with the judge, she speaks in a highly educated manner while maintaining a very high speed of speech (Appendix B). Altogether, the woman is exceptionally intelligent and is pursuing a professional career, thus defying society’s expectations.
Another instance of Amanda’s defiance of traditional femininity can be seen in the conversation with her husband. The man says that he has to stay at work to make a quick conviction against a woman (Cukor, 1949). Amanda is especially infuriated by this event as she swiftly remarks on her husband’s boss’s wrongful behavior and her hatred towards immoral actions perpetrated by men (Appendix A). In this scene, she comes up with brilliant and intelligent answers, which would be considered inappropriate according to the morals of the 1930s. Overall, the heroine of Katherine Hepburn appears to be a fast-talking dame who often mocks and ignores the social attitudes towards feminine actions and appearance.
References
Cukor, G. (1949). Adam’s rib [Film]. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
DiBattista, M. (2003). Fast-talking dames. Yale University Press.
Appendix A
Amanda Infuriated by the Decision of Her Husband’s Boss.
Appendix B
Amanda during the Court Hearing.
