‘You are a woman with a man inside watching a woman. You are your own voyeur’- Margaret Atwood.

In the complex society that we live in, women face a truckload of societal expectations and roles which have to be fulfilled. The role of a woman in society is seen as meek, poise, quiet, and ‘beautiful.’ But the inherent emotions and anger and power that women hold is often ignored. But with increasing awareness and knowledge mainstream media’s portrayal on this topic is also changing.

The Barbie movie, a remaking and re portrayal of who a woman is included a monologue by America Ferreira which spoke to women worldwide about the struggles of just existing but somehow not talked about enough. In the movie, her character Gloria expressed how ‘You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It’s too hard! It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.’ That monologue somehow put into words a global common feeling and experience of women and the pressures they feel just by existing. This monologue is an example of the modern portrayal of ‘feminine rage,’ in mainstream media; and possibly my favorite one as well. 

Today, though, the portrayal of ‘feminine rage,’ in the media is changing. Although some examples are commendable and it might not be for the better. The concept of feminine rage was supposed to be empowering and is often over-sexualised and catered to the male gaze. Furthermore, it often gets carried away by being outrightly insensitive. Characters like Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad exemplify this trend; while her anger is portrayed as fierce and liberating, it is also wrapped in hypersexuality that distracts from the genuine emotional struggles she faces.

Often, teenagers may find themselves drawn to these portrayals because they reflect their own frustrations with societal norms. These representations resonate deeply with teens who feel similarly constrained by expectations surrounding femininity and behavior. However, while these characters may seem relatable, they often fail to address the deeper implications of their rage, reducing complex emotions to mere entertainment.

This issue is further complicated by the commercialisation of anger. Trending memes of ‘angry women,’ and videos of women expressing anger in an exaggerated way risks dismissing or trivializing the situation. When anger becomes just another trend, its significance is diminished.

Hence, engaging with narratives that portray this rage or anger as necessary and inherently human allows teenagers and other viewers to see how these emotions help in personal growth and empowerment. 

In conclusion, while these portrayals can offer representation for young women, they often miss the mark by oversexualizing characters and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. It’s crucial for us to recognize the complexities behind female anger and push for more authentic representations that empower rather than objectify. By doing this, we can deepen our understanding of women’s emotions and encourage young women to express their feelings without fear or shame. Embracing this complexity will lead to more meaningful conversations about gender and identity in our society, ultimately paving the way for a more just and equitable world.

Pia is a journalist at The Woodstocker

Edited by Trishana Panchagatti, Co-Editor of The Woodstocker