Display of Feminism by Thelma and Louise
My definition of feminism is the belief that there should be equality between men and women in every setting/situation. I think feminism was portrayed well in Thelma and Louise. Some scenes that highlight their betrayal of feminism include: smoking and drinking at the bar/restaurant, carrying guns, robbing the convenient store, arresting a cop, and breaking the law in every possible way. In other words, they were doing it like men. Thelma and Louise broke all the stereotypical mold of how a woman should act in society. It is hard to just use one scene from the movie because they all intertwine, especially all the ones regarding the gun that started it all. I felt the gun had a huge influence on their change/development throughout the movie. When they first interacted with Thelma’s husband’s gun there was a sense of fear and ignorance. Even though Louise was more knowledgeable about the gun she wanted nothing to do with it. Later in the movie when Thelma was going to be raped the gun was used for the first time without hesitation. They panicked and ran after the shot was fired but they did not regret shooting the guy. The second time the gun was being used was to rob the convenient store, and it shows how much Thelma has changed in the way she held that gun with confidence. From this point on they have changed, they were using the guns like professionals; they even stole guns from the cop. They then set out to teach disrespectful men a lesson. As the movie progresses I think it really shows their belief on equality, and people (the police) started to treat them no difference than men who break the law. Thelma and Louise really set out on their road trip feeling like they were less than men (Thelma feeling like she had to ask for permission) but by the end of the movie they were looking/demanding for equality (Thelma no longer cared what her husband thought). I enjoyed this movie the most out of all the ones we have watched in class.