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När två kvinnor pratar och det faktiskt betyder något: Om Bechdeltestets användbarhet och Pretty Woman

Eliasson, Ebba LU (2025) GNVK22 20251
Department of Gender Studies
Abstract
In this bachelor's thesis, I carry out a discourse analysis of the film Pretty Woman (1990), using the bechdeltest, feminist film theory, intersectionality and representation theory. The aim is to demonstrate that the bechdeltest is unfortunately lacking as a tool for measuring gender equality in films. While widely used as a basic indicator of female presence and dialogue, the test fails to account for a deeper understanding of representation of women in film. The test overlooks complex layers of deeply rooted stereotypes, unequal power dynamics and limited story narratives. The results suggest that a more refined analytic framework is needed to identify both
language and a visual narrative. By comparing the theories named above, this... (More)
In this bachelor's thesis, I carry out a discourse analysis of the film Pretty Woman (1990), using the bechdeltest, feminist film theory, intersectionality and representation theory. The aim is to demonstrate that the bechdeltest is unfortunately lacking as a tool for measuring gender equality in films. While widely used as a basic indicator of female presence and dialogue, the test fails to account for a deeper understanding of representation of women in film. The test overlooks complex layers of deeply rooted stereotypes, unequal power dynamics and limited story narratives. The results suggest that a more refined analytic framework is needed to identify both
language and a visual narrative. By comparing the theories named above, this essay shows how these frameworks complement each other in revealing the complex way gender and women are portrayed in film. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Eliasson, Ebba LU
supervisor
organization
course
GNVK22 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Bechdeltest, stereotyp, male gaze, Pretty Woman, maktförhållanden, representation, stereotype, power dynamics, representation.
language
Swedish
id
9211901
date added to LUP
2025-09-08 16:24:27
date last changed
2025-09-08 16:24:27
@misc{9211901,
  abstract     = {{In this bachelor's thesis, I carry out a discourse analysis of the film Pretty Woman (1990), using the bechdeltest, feminist film theory, intersectionality and representation theory. The aim is to demonstrate that the bechdeltest is unfortunately lacking as a tool for measuring gender equality in films. While widely used as a basic indicator of female presence and dialogue, the test fails to account for a deeper understanding of representation of women in film. The test overlooks complex layers of deeply rooted stereotypes, unequal power dynamics and limited story narratives. The results suggest that a more refined analytic framework is needed to identify both
language and a visual narrative. By comparing the theories named above, this essay shows how these frameworks complement each other in revealing the complex way gender and women are portrayed in film.}},
  author       = {{Eliasson, Ebba}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{När två kvinnor pratar och det faktiskt betyder något: Om Bechdeltestets användbarhet och Pretty Woman}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}