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Title and Authors

• Title: Femininity in Superhero Comics: a study of social representations

• Authors: . Guimarães Lucas Eduardo, do Nascimento Adriano Roberto Afonso, da Silva Costa Luciana Célia, de Oliveira Silva Márcia Francisca

• Publication: Papers on Social Representations Volume 33, Issue 1, pages 5.1-5.23 (2024)

• Journal ISSN: 1021-5573

• Correspondence: lucas.edpp@gmail.com

Introduction

• The rise of postmodernity emphasizes the visual image as a major communication resource.

• The theory of social representations (TSR) is crucial for understanding mass communication and the societal perception of various objects.

• Research focuses on visual image analysis methodology useful for studying TSR.

Methodological Composition

• Utilizes an associative model linking variables and values, aligning with Barthesian semiotics.

• Applied to the analysis of femininity representation in superhero comics, particularly through Wonder Woman's image.

Key Findings

• The study shows a reaffirmation of traditional values in femininity representation with minimal changes over the years.

Theoretical Framework

• Image Societies: Contemporary Western cultures are termed 'image societies', where visual elements dominate communication.

• Image’s role in communication spans back to the beginning of human history, though underexplored in humanities as opposed to verbal components.

Conflicting Perspectives on Images

• Two conflicting principles concerning images:

  • Naïve reading: assumes images have explicit meanings.

  • Polysemic nature: highlights images' potential for interpretation, indicating latent meanings.

Images and Representations in Social Sciences

• Images correlate with mental images and social representations, acting as cultural supports for understanding the unknown.

• Connotative meanings are socially constructed and obscured over time, transforming into accepted norms.

Visual Content Analysis (VCA) and Content Analysis (CA)

• VCA and CA are combined methods for analyzing visual images to capture meanings in representations.

VCA

• Involves the study of images to understand social representations, establishing connections with cultural artifacts.

CA

• A systematic method for studying communications, often underutilized for visual data despite its potential.

Variables for Analysis

• Eight variables for the Wonder Woman comic analysis were defined, covering display, direction, posture, disposition, take, camera angle, clothing, and age group.

Results

• The analysis of comics illustrated the continuity of traditional feminine representations in Wonder Woman’s portrayal.

Discussion

• Wonder Woman's character is viewed as both a progressive figure and a reinforcement of hegemonic femininity.

• While embodying strength, elements such as beauty and traditional femininity persist, illustrating the conflicted portrayal of women in comics.

• Wonder Woman's character is viewed as both a progressive figure and a reinforcement of hegemonic femininity, representing a complex duality in her portrayal. On one hand, she is celebrated as a symbol of female empowerment, showcasing strength, independence, and the ability to challenge traditional gender roles within the superhero genre. Wonder Woman's origins as a warrior princess and her role in combat against injustice position her as a pioneer for feminist representation in popular culture. However, it is essential to recognize that, despite her strength and agency, Wonder Woman is often depicted in ways that emphasize conventional aspects of beauty and traditional femininity. Her physical appearance, characterized by an idealized female body and alluring attire, serves to reinforce societal standards of beauty that can undermine her progressive attributes. Elements such as her graceful posture, lingering focus on her appearance, and narrative arcs that prioritize romance highlight the conflicting portrayal of women in comics, where empowerment exists alongside the reinforcement of stereotypical feminine ideals. This tension raises critical questions about the representation of female characters in media, challenging audiences to consider the implications of using both strength and beauty as defining traits of femininity. As Wonder Woman continues to evolve across different media representations, she remains a crucial touchstone for discussions about the complexities of gender roles and the depiction of women in superhero narratives.

Conclusions

• There is a vital connection between visual images and social representations, crucial for understanding contemporary communication.

• Further interdisciplinary research is encouraged, emphasizing visuals as valuable data sources in social sciences.