I am so tired of the “strong silent woman” being the default trope that calls to feminism.
Strong female characters are a commodity these days. Marvel really loves to toot the “strong female character” horn, but so rarely do they actually walk the walk when they talk the talk. Characters like Black Widow become supporting characters, love interests, and sexual objects to her male Avengers. But when it comes to the talk about feminism, she’s the first (and sometimes only) person Marvel goes to as an example of a strong female character, because she can kick some ass.
And while a woman who can kick ass is great, her ability to fight equally and defeat a man is not the be-all and end-all of a truly well rounded female character. In fact, it kind of is insulting to women in general. Up until now, I haven’t really been able to identify a woman who really walks the walk, someone who can stand toe-to-toe to any superhero as her own defined character with more than just some muscle to back her up.
Jessica Jones is that woman.
Jones does this repeatedly, not only with Jessica’s character but with Trish Walker and Jeri Hogarth and even supporting characters like Hope Schlottman and Robyn and Pam (not to mention the male characters like Kilgrave, Luke Cage, Malcolm, and Will Simpson). The show writes character portraits that define them apart from their physical attributes and their physical strengths. Trish is an entertainer and radio talk show host, she’s loved not only for the show that she hosts but also for her past as a child star. She bears her own weight of traumas, but she doesn’t let them define her and she is a stalwart in Jessica’s life: her voice of reason and confidante.
For Jessica, her abilities and powers are simply a matter-of-fact and another weapon in her arsenal. She’s defined by the actions and experiences in her life, not by her ability to fight groups of grown men at once. She is known as a top-notch (if abrasive) PI, her powers certainly help her get the job done, but it’s just one part of the job. Her life is thrown into disarray when proof that her tormentor, Kilgrave, is back from the dead. Her life is highlighted as a woman who has survived severe trauma. Jessica Jones does the marvelous job of actually portraying this without any glossing over of the grittier points.
Rape is almost inevitable when it comes to a character like Kilgrave. His mind control makes consent impossible, and while his slaves may comply to his every wish, as Jessica points out to him he not only physically violated her but he mentally violated her everyday under his control and did so long after she escaped him. Indeed, the first look we get of Jessica is of her unapologetically drinking whiskey and going through the motions of the day to survive her encounter with Kilgrave. Even Hope, whose life has freshly been ruined by Kilgrave, is hardly simpering. While she might serve as the paragon of innocence for Jessica, she has her own toughness and jaded outlook that defines her as more than just a nameless victim.
The nuances and time spent to creating each character creates a well-rounded story and strong narrative. Jessica Jones, in my opinion, by far exceeds all other Marvel television shows at the moment. I haven’t always been kind about my opinion of Marvel. So often I see them throwing around the idea of a strong female character who, in reality, is more a sexual object or a woman who can fight (or both), while the real character development is left for the male protagonists.
But, Jessica Jones forces me to reevaluate my opinion of the shows that Marvel produces and the potential in future projects. From Kilgrave’s position as an almost perfectly despicable, irredeemable villain, to a multifaceted and diverse cast, Jessica’s role as a true main character — one that has been painstakingly developed through a show with dedication and commitment from a creator — who does not even need to be defined by her role as a strong woman because it goes without saying, pushes the envelope of great television today and breathes some fresh life into Marvel’s superheros.
Was the omission of Peggy Carter – star of Agent Carter and one of the founders of SHIELD – an oversight or deliberate in order to not undercut the “women are victims of patriarchy” thesis? It’s kind of hard to push that agenda when Agent Carter is a thing.
Also, how is Melinda May, a total badass and fan favorite, not being well-served in an ensemble show? If anyone is getting a bit hosed on Agents of Shield it’s Bobbie (Mockingbird) with her love/hate bickerson thing with her ex-husband.
The thesis was never “women are victims of patriarchy” more that Marvel’s idea of strong female characters means little more than being the kind of woman who can defeat a man in physical combat. Peggy Carter is one of the most well-written female characters in the Marvel Universe, but her narrative doesn’t surround her physical skill rather her intelligence, so it’s a different vein of characterization.
Melinda May is a good ensemble of the show, but her characterization initially as one of their strong females was hinged heavily on her physical strength. The marketing and EPs have always used this as her selling point. Both May and Bobbi, in my opinion, are constantly playing second fiddle to Coulson’s own development or, indeed, Bobbi to Hunter’s banter and the romantic story arc. They have earned their right as regulars of the main cast to get the kind of attention that is so frequently offered to Coulson.