The Reflections On American Women’s Dilemmas In American Chick Flicks Since The1990s: In View Of Postfeminism

Feminist issues arouse western public’s attention widely since these issues wereproduced. However, feminism develops into the contemporary well-known postfeminismunder the influences of postmodern ideological trends. Although western academia hasdifferent views towards postfeminism, the ideas contained in paradoxical postfeminismcombining with mass media gain scholars’ common acknowledgements. Especially, takingthe opportunity of American films’ popularity, some American chick flicks whichconcentrated on female audiences make use of the postfeminist elements to harvest boththe high box office and the praised reputation.This thesis analyzes females’ dilemmas represented in American typical chick flickssince the1990s in view of postfeminism. It aims to study and explain American females’status quo after experiencing all kinds of social changes, such as, the feminist movements.This thesis consists of six chapters. Chapter one gives an introduction to the reasonsfor choosing this subject and the significances of the study. Besides, the methodology,innovation and structure of the study are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter twospecifically demonstrates postfeminism and American typical chick flicks since the1990s.Firstly, the main ideas of postfeminism, postfeminism in feminist media studies and therelationship between feminism and postfeminism are discussed. Then, an analysis ofAmerican chick flicks’ characteristics, the reasons for their popularity and the postfeministimages are explained. The third chapter explores three dilemmas in chick flicks based onthree films: the dilemma of work and family; the dilemma of singleton and romance; thedilemma of adulthood and youth. The fourth chapter probes into the reasons of Americanfemales’ dilemmas in those typical chick flicks by analyzing economic, social and politicalfactors. Chapter five displays the positive and negative effects on American society causedby the female dilemmas in American chick flicks. Lastly, in conclusion part, this thesismakes a tentative conclusion about the essence of female dilemmas represented inAmerican chick flicks, and its practical significances.