Title: Dumplin’
Released: December 7th, 2018
Produced by: Anne Fletcher
Access on: Netflix
Netflix Summary: To prove a point about measuring up and fitting in, Texas teen Willowdean Dickson enters a local pageant run by her ex-beauty queen mom.
Goffmanian Analysis: This film perfectly portrays multiple factors of Goffmanian Analysis. Because this film is centered around beauty pageants, many of the women display stereotypical feminine traits. For example, Bekah is a very petite woman in comparison to men but she is also extremely thin which represents her relative size. Willowdean’s mother is also a good example of these characteristics. She was once the beauty queen and when she performs she utilizes feminine touch and licensed withdrawal. However, her mother also goes against some of these stereotypes as she is the head of the household.
Sex Role Theory: The main character, Willowdean, is not your typical girl portrayed as the protagonist. She is a bigger girl and acts a bit more masculine. She has a strong personality and is very outgoing and loud. She goes against the stereotypes of a feminine girl. However, she also follows the role of seeking love and affirmation from a man. She does not believe she is attractive or worthy of love from a man but realizes her worth through his attention. This goes along with the norms of women and relationships. Willowdean’s mother plays a little different role than her assigned gender role. She is a single mother who supports her daughter and sister. Despite being a beauty pageant queen she has to work extremely long hours as a CNA to maintain her household.
Effects: This gives a new perspective to teenage girls. Instead of women being subordinate, they are depicted as leaders in this film. In addition, it shows that women who are not conventionally attractive can still be beautiful and desired. However, the main basis of the film is being a desired woman. The end of the film results in Willowdean and Bo together which shows that the main goal for women is to be desired by men
Shared by: Olivia Smidel
Image Credit: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4878482/