T.D.W.
Dr. Ann Savage
MRC 465 T TR 11:00AM – 12:15PM
Feminist Criticism

Feminist Critique – The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory explores the ways in which individuals are stereotyped in today’s society. Through its sarcastic humor, the episode ‘The Wildebeest Implementation’ illustrates the American gender codes by defining the female and male roles through its various characters and plot scenarios and how these characters break or fit into their respective generalized roles. A woman’s femininity is often conveyed in the style of their wardrobe. Amy, the nerdy and less feminine character of all the female characters on the show, comes home in her first new pair of high heels. As she walks by Leonard in the hallway she makes note to him that women wear high heels to make their buttocks and breasts more prominent. Amy explains that she heard about Leonard’s double date with Priya, Bernedette, Howard. Leonard asks how she found out and she replies with a sultry flick of her hair saying, “Oh at the mall when I was shopping with Penny – because that’s what I do now.” The flick of her hair suggests that she is trying to transform herself into the pretty woman that most men desire. When she says goodbye to Leonard on his way out of the building, she tells Leonard to try not to “ogle my caboose.” However, the fact that she is attempting to assimilate herself into a generalized female role means that she really wants him to do the opposite of that and check out her behind. This perpetuates the ideal that women should try to impress men with their sense of fashion in order to be more appealing to them. The most feminine main character on this sitcom is Penny. Penny is the typical blonde and attractive neighbor of Sheldon and Leonard. She continually depends upon Sheldon’s input on clothing and what he thinks would look best on her. In this episode of ‘The Big