Today we will be discussing “The changing roles and responsibilities of Women: What can modern women learn from film?” In particular, we will be discussing the historical drama Mona Lisa Smile, directed by Mike Newell and released in 2003. So, let’s get into it…
For the listeners who are yet to see the film, Mona Lisa Smile follows its protagonist Kathrine Watson, a 30-year-old UCLA graduate student who pursues her desire to make a difference by teaching art history at the prestigious female school, Wellesley College. Here she embarks on a journey to confront the outdated gender expectations of her traditional students and to assist her pupils to deviate from their predetermined path of a domestic life. So, Gabby what can you infer about the time period in which the film is set and how does this impact the roles of women?
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Mona Lisa Smile is set in 1953 and 4 (1954) which is how the idealistic family life model known as the American Dream is formed. During this time the rise of suburbia meant that women were expected to be submissive housewives, respecting strict gender mores and fulfilling maternal and household duties.
Well during Mona Lisa Smile the idyllic “American Dream” and compliant nature of traditional women is particularly emphasized by the conservative Wellesley students. As seen in the following clip Betty and Joan, both pupils at Wellesley, demonstrate their excitement when shown the new washing machine, reinforcing the idealistic domesticity of a woman in the 1950s.
The dialogue “You’ve got everything you have ever dreamed of” illustrates notions of this American Dream, and its potent role in shaping their desire for family life. In addition, Newell’s use of a mid-shot allows him to emphasize the joyous emotions experienced by Betty and Joan. These ideas are further explored through Newell’s use of bright lightning, symbolizing warmth and security and depicting the enriching effects of domestic life experienced by the Wellesley students.
Furthermore, Mike Newell elucidates the past role of women in the home through Betty and Joan’s aspirations of family life, upholding the household responsibilities, and depiction of the American Dream. However, this perspective has changed over time as attitudes and ideas in society develop as seen in Mona Lisa Smile through the conflict between progress and conservatism. But Isla, how is the conflict seen in the film and how does this influence the responsibilities of women?
The conflict of tradition and modernity is embodied throughout Mona Lisa Smile, particularly reinforced through Kathrine’s unorthodox art which demonstrates the fine balance between both post-modern influences and traditional styles. Art is used throughout the film as an extended metaphor and is particularly emphasized in the following clip, illustrating how ideas in society such as art can lead to the development of humanity’s traditions, roles, and expectations.
Newell’s use of dialogue establishes the metaphoric conflict between the progressive nature of Picasso’s paintings to Michelangelo’s traditional sculptures and canvases, further highlighting how this idea of art can influence movement. The low-angle shot of the board member reinforces his superiority over Kathrine as well as expressing his disapproving body language to supplement his critical judgment on Kathrine and Picasso’s modern values.
Right, so this societal idea of post-modern art transforms the role and expectations of women through developing attitudes in society and heightening the conflict between past and present values. But the opposing characters Betty and Kathrine also convey this conflict between modern and historical mores, how does this dispute lead to the development of women's responsibilities?
Well, when Kathrine Watson, a liberal and unmarried professor is introduced she is instantly mocked and isolated by the pupils due to the social pressure created as she refuses to conform to society. Kathrine’s progressive character is evident through her costume choice throughout the film. Miss Watson is typically the only woman in the scene wearing pants and wearing minimal make-up and simple hair styles, emphasizing her distinctive character and modernist values. In contrast, Elizabeth Warren also known as Betty, originally is introduced as a conservative character who conforms to and is limited to expectations. Similarly to Joan, Betty also desires the American Dream however, due to Kathrine’s influence Betty’s transformation converts her upheld traditions to feminist values and concludes her part in the film by rebelling against the traditional social role of a woman and continues her education without regard of marriage and her domestic life.
So, therefore, Mona Lisa Smile intergrades the conflict between progression and conservatism through the opposing views of Betty and Kathrine and the metaphorical meaning of art to elucidate the future role of women with the development of societal attitudes and ideas.
It is clear how the previous responsibilities of women have transformed from compliant housewives to almost equal sex. These roles are displayed throughout Mona Lisa Smile and are reinforced through the past desire for domestic life and to live the “American Dream”. In addition, the metaphoric meaning of art and the opposing perspectives of Kathrine and Betty illustrates the feud between traditional and contemporary ideals emphasizing the developed attitudes and ideas that lead to a change in responsibilities. Modern women can discover the potent aspect of perspectives in society which shape the basis of gender expectations and is further depicted through film and other forms of media. And if you wish to hear more visit ---‘s website for further links on the past and present roles of women and additional analysis of Mona Lisa Smile.
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