buffy the vampire slayer, the perfect hero for young girls in a modern era
Annotated Bibliography
Decandido, Grace Anne A. "Bibliographic Good vs. Evil in Buffy the
Vampire Slayer." American Library Association, 1999. Web. 2015.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/25637287>
I intend to use this text because it explores Giles gender and his role as a positive father figure. I want to use my niece as a primary source for my essays, both because she was exposed to the show through other entertainment means, is seven years old, and has a biological father who has left her. She looks up to Buffy as a role model for her strength, for her own father has left her, and admires Giles for his stepping-up to be Buffy’s father figure. This article explores primarily Giles, who I too wish to explore in depth as a defense for Buffy’s positive role on young girls and children in general. This article also explains how Giles represents the traditional adult, who does not know computers and relies on books for knowledge, all while defying typical male roles because instead he is a librarian, an arguably stereotypical female job, and watches over Buffy while she does all the ‘man work’. He defies social roles and that defiance, I believe, is good for young girls to see. If they grow up seeing male presidents their whole life, they will believe that, as a female, they are not worthy of that position.
Reid-Walsh, Jacqueline, and Krista Walsh. "Power Girl/Girl Power: The
Female Action Hero Goes to High School (A Review of the Television Show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer")." Wiley on Behalf of the
International Reading Association, 1999. Web. 2015
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/40014068>.
This articles defends my idea that women, in super hero culture, are typically depicted as “victims, not warriors”. This article also confirms my statements that young girls are ‘searching for strong images and models in pop culture’, therefore making her more suitable for young girls not only because of its moral values but also because of its appeal. This article also explores the idea of sexuality in the show, and I do want to discuss homosexuality and how it is introduced very gracefully in the show. The good and bad things are clearly separated entities in the show and homosexuality is depicted as a normal part of a life, a way that children should be taught in my opinion. This article explores that Buffy is also a spin-off of Archie, a comic theme I would like to incorporate to better strengthen Buffy’s rightful position to be considered as an influential super hero, possibly moreso than Superman, or even modern television shows and cartoons intentionally directed towards young girls. They need a hero, and it needs to be Buffy.
Reid-Mead, Walter Russel. Council of Foreign Relations, 2003. Web.
2015. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/20033458>.
I want to use this as counter arguments. This article explains the Buffy negatively depicts America—Reid-Mead claims that Buffy is a good example of the bad ‘infuriating’ elements of America because she ‘spends too much time at the mall and neglects her history and geography texts. She is not careful enough about recycling; she refuses to take foreign languages; and she cares about superficial student activities such as cheerleading and the prom.” I want to user this to strengthen my argument that this is sadly what society is, mainstream media and entertainment has created this standard and aesthetic that is growing more and more popular for young girls. Because this is happening whether we like it or not, the girls need someone to relate to. If they go to the mall, they aren’t going to watch a show or read a comic about a nerdy little girl with a shy disposition wearing colorful spandex.
Warren, Brenda D. "Giles the Wrong Gender." American Library
Association, 1999. Web. 2015
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/25637360>.
This article is an extension about the previous one I mentioned about Giles. It continues to explain that “historically, work done primarily by women is devalued” and “ if it becomes valuable, it becomes ‘man’s work’”. It states that if Giles were a woman, he would enforce the poor public image of the stereotypical woman, but because he is male, he makes a different statement, in regards to not only breaking a social norm, but also depicting societal social inequalities.
Sadowski, Greg. Supermen!: The First Wave of Comic-book Heroes
1936-1941. Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics, 2009. Print.
I plan on using Supermen! by comparing the females introduce in early works of super heroes and compare and contrast them with Buffy Summers. “Fontomah” is barely in her own story, but Buffy is the center of the entire show, along with other positive female characters such as Willow, Tara, Joyce, and more.
Hatfield, Charles, Jeet Heer, and Kent Worcester. The Superhero Reader. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
I plan to use the “Masked Heroes” chapter primarily for my source to defend my statements. This chapter explains how “comic book heroes… remain more widely known through television… movies and… through a vigorous presence in American and European popular culture that ensures their recognition by millions who have never read… [the] comic or seen… [the] film.” (Reynolds 99) I want to use this chapter to gather more information on older comics and Superman exclusively. I also wish to gather some of the information about Batman mentioned and compare it to Buffy’s love interest, Angel, who is arguably very Batman-ish.