Feminism In Pat And Mike

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Recommended: portrayal of women in movies

Sara Krull
Pat and Mike
12 February 2014
Journal Question - N
Pat and Mike is a romantic comedy directed by George Cukor that makes a statement on feminism in the context of competitive sports. The film features Katharine Hepburn as Pat, a female athlete who excels in a variety of sports. Her character, for the most part, defies traditional gender roles - she is self-assertive and tough. However, her strong character is profoundly altered whenever she is around her fiance, Collier West. She becomes weak and ineffectual in his presence, which affects her athletic performance significantly several times throughout the film. Pat’s character and the effect of her fiance’s presence on her behavior can be considered a feminist commentary. In today’s society, a female character who is portrayed as being a competent and capable individual is not exactly groundbreaking. However, at the time of the film’s release, audiences probably experienced Pat and Mike differently than present-day viewers of the film.
Pat Pemberton is a phys-ed instructor with exceptional athletic prowess - except ...

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