Exploring Feminism in Legally Blonde Through a Gender Lens

How are women characters portrayed in literature (Legally Blonde)?

The major characters of women in Legally Blonde are portrayed in many ways:

Elle Woods - She is the protagonist in the film and is characterized as someone fashionable and initially perceived by people as “dumb blonde” and wealthy solely due to her parents' wealth. Furthermore, she enjoys pink, glitz, and glam, and is a member of a sorority. But we saw her character develop as her heart got broken by her ex-boyfriend and later on enrolling at Harvard University as a law student, revealing that there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Vivian Kensington - Opposite to Elle Woods, Vivian has an antagonistic nature. She starts as Elle’s rival and is characterized as cold and condescending. She hated Elle’s guts at first, given that she’s the current fiancee of Elle’s ex-boyfriend, Warner. However, as the story progresses, she becomes more open-minded and supportive. 

Paulette Bonafonté - She is introduced as a woman who is shy, insecure, and somewhat awkward. She works as a nail technician where she meets Elle. Nevertheless, as the story moves forward and with Elle’s encouragement, she gains confidence and takes control of her personal life.

Brooke Taylor-Windham - The character of Brooke is another portrayal that challenges gender stereotypes and highlights issues related to women's autonomy, societal expectations, and the judgment of women based on appearance. She is a successful fitness instructor and former Delta Nu sorority sister. Brooke at first appears to be just another wealthy, image-conscious celebrity, but as the story progresses, it becomes evident that Brooke is also intelligent, loyal, and determined to protect her reputation.

What opportunities are available to them compared with men?

The characters of Elle,  Paulette and Brooke highlight the gender disparity and societal expectations that women face in traditionally male-dominated environments. For instance, Elle is perceived as shallow and not smart enough to succeed at Harvard Law simply because she is blonde, stylish, and vivacious. In the same way that Brooke is judged more for her appearance than her intelligence and is not taken seriously as a businesswoman while Paulette, a working-class woman, struggles with confidence and professional growth until Elle supports and encourages her,

On the other hand, the male characters like Warner and Professor Callahan already have an established career and are shown more as serious, capable, and professionally legitimate even when their actions show otherwise.

What values are gendered? Or, what constitutes masculinity and femininity?

In the film, femininity is linked to beauty and emotions, while masculinity is linked to power and logic. Legally Blonde challenges these stereotypes by demonstrating that men can display emotion and women can be both intelligent and stylish. Elle demonstrates that success is not about conforming to traditional gender roles, and the film emphasizes that both men and women can be strong in different ways.

What is reinforced or challenged in the status quo? 

The film 'Legally Blonde' reinforces and challenges the stereotype that women cannot be both beautiful and intelligent at the same time. Elle Woods, from the beginning of the movie 'till the end, displays her femininity in her pink fits, accessories and other materialistic passion but more than that, she is equipped with the knowledge for leadership (which is reflected in her sorority group) and intelligence to persevere and excel in Harvard Law School. 

How do female characters subvert the status quo? 

Sure enough, the movie does a good job in dismantling the belief that femininity cannot be entwined in intelligence. The movie shows that even if Elle got into Harvard Law School, she did not change her "girl-coded-pink-style', she did not try to blend in by changing her personality and overall look, instead she diverted her passion into being one of the best in her class, by really studying law, finding great friends and reconnecting to what really matters in life. 

This line, specifically reflects her personal intelligence as she presented it in court and won her very first case, even as an intern, “Because isn’t the first cardinal rule of perm maintenance that you’re forbidden to wet your hair for at least 24 hours after getting a perm at the risk of deactivating the ammonium thioglycolate?”

How are gender relationships portrayed? 

Gender Relationships are portrayed in a way that, if women loves purely such as Elle, who first went to Law School just to get his ex-boyfriend back, Vivian—who maintains her head high as the smartest to keep his boyfriend and Paullette's martyrdom in her relationship despite the abuse: The Male dynamic is the opposite, they are always in some king of power play, even in relationships. First, Warner, who sees women as some kind of trophy to show off as reflected in his line "If I’m going to be a senator by the time I’m 30, I need to marry a Jackie, not a Marilyn". Meanwhile, Professor Callahan accepts Elle as an intern for his malicious sexual innuendo. 

Do characters take on traits from opposite genders? How so? Does this change others' reactions to them? 

Elle Woods, the main character, takes the masculine trait by being ambitious, brave and with her leadership skills. 

Emmette, the romantic interest of Elle and law affiliate, is somehow feminine in his understanding and soft demeanor. He is never threatened by Elle's intelligence instead, intrigued and astonished by her. 

Viviane have always reinforced the masculine trait of being serious, snobbish, tone of judgement, leading her to abandon softness, warmth and empathy because of her belief that those are what it takes to survive in a male dominated field. 

What does the work reveal about the operations of a patriarchy (economically, socially, politically, psychologically)?

Upon watching the movie Legally Blonde it exposes how patriarchy operates, economically– by limiting women’s access to leadership and respect in male-dominated professions like law, with powerful men like Professor Callahan abusing their positions. Socially– patriarchal norms judge women based on their appearance and dismiss traditionally feminine traits as less valuable. Politically– the film exposes institutional barriers that favor men, forcing women like Elle to work harder to gain recognition. As well as in Psychologically, What Elle's been through reflects the struggle internally of overcoming societal doubts about her intelligence and worth.

What does the work say about women’s creativity?

The film shows how women's creativity is just as smart and valuable as traditional forms of intelligence. Elle proves this by showcasing her creativity through her unconventional approach to problem-solving, such as using her knowledge of hair care in court wherein it helps her crack the case, showing that “girly” knowledge can be both useful and powerful. The movie makes it clear that women don’t have to change who they are to be taken seriously. Elle’s success is all about staying true to herself and using her unique strengths. By doing so, she challenges the idea that only traditionally “serious” or masculine skills matter.