Transcript The Femme Fatale - Behind-a-Mask

The Femme Fatale
Behind a Mask: or, a
Woman’s Power
by Louisa May Alcott
Jean Muir:
Femme Fatale
Alcott identifies
Jean as a femme
fatale in Chapter 1:
“Come now! The
curtain is down! So I
may be myself for a
while, if actresses ever
are themselves!”
Archetype:
Definition
A character type that follows
a patterned sequence of
actions or traits.
Femme Fatale: Definition
• French for “Fatale or
Deadly Woman”
• She is a mysterious and
seductive woman whose
charms ensnare her
lovers in bonds of
irresistible desire, often
leading them into
compromising,
dangerous, and deadly
situations.
The Archetypal Traits
and Behaviors of the
Femme Fatale
1. Mysterious and Seductive
When does Jean demonstrate this
archetypal trait?
2. Bewitching
In early literature, was
portrayed as having
magical powers
(having mystical
abilities akin to a
witch, enchantress,
vampire, or demon).
How does Gerald characterize Jean this way?
3. Misleading
• A femme fatale tries to
achieve her hidden
purpose by using feminine
wiles such as beauty,
charm, and seduction.
• In some situations, she
uses coercion or lying
rather than charm.
4. Needing Rescue?
She may also be (or
imply to be) a victim,
caught in a situation
from which she
cannot escape.
How does Jean
demonstrate this
trait?
5. An “Anti-heroine”?
Although typically
villainous, femme
fatales have also
appeared as antiheroines in some
stories, and some even
repent and become
heroines by the end of
the tale.
How may Jean be viewed as heroic?
6. A Heart Breaker
How does Jean do this
to men in the novella?
• In social life, the femme
fatale tortures her lover in
an asymetrical
relationship, denying
confirmation of her
affection.
• She usually drives him to
the point of obsession
and exhaustion so that he
is incapable of making
rational decisions.
Why Artists Depict Her:
Sociological Interpretations
of the Femme Fatale
Many scholars have
theorized varied
social reasons for
the popularity of the
femme fatale
archetype
throughout history...
Why did Alcott write about a
femme fatale?
In other words,
which of the
following causes,
prompted Alcott
to make the
protagonist of her
thriller, a FEMME
FATALE?
Theory #1: Misogyny
Some
sociologists
say that the
femme
fatale
expresses
misogyny
(the hatred
or dislike of
women).
Theory #2: Growing
Independence and
Feminist Movement
Other
sociologists say
the Femme fatale
remains an
example of
female
independence
and a threat to
traditional
female gender
roles
Theory #3: Matriarchy &
Physical Control
Other sociologists
claim that the
femme fatale
“expresses
woman's ancient
and eternal
control of the
[physical] realm”
(i.e., “Mother
Earth”,
reproduction,
etc.)
Closing Questions:
Unmasking Theme
What social criticisms does
Alcott make through her
characterization of femme
fatale, Jean Muir?
How does the motif of
performance and masking
support these criticisms?
What is Alcott’s message
about a “woman’s power” and
Victorian gender roles? (Hint:
See title)
Literary Techniques
• Allusion (Judith & Holofernes, Rachel
& Jacob, Coventry Patmore, etc.)
• Repetition (“Witch”, “Enchant”,
“Spell”, “Charm”, “Good Angel” etc.)
• Tone (Satirical towards Victorian
Courtship Practices & Gender Roles)
• Motif (Performance, Masks, Power,
Gender, Courtship—i.e. Knights &
Maidens)
• Foil Characters & Contrast (Jean/Lucia
& Gerald/Ned)
• Suspense & Irony (Particularly in
Concluding the Novella)
• Theme/Moral (Containing Statement
and Warning about Gender
Oppression)