Representation of Male and Female in Sci-fi
Kevin Berry
Eng/220
February 22, 2016
Chris Feriante

Representation of Male and Female in Sci-fi

In every movie genre there is a key role played by both genders specific to that genre. Both male and female roles that are portrayed in science fiction movies can be very distinguished between their genders. Males are usually rough looking and present themselves to be dim witted, but actually have lots of knowledge of their problems and are always dependable to save the day when conflict arises. Females are presented to be these pretty and frail things that always need rescuing, but are actually quite strong willed and intelligent and can think their way out of any situation. If these two qualities are not found on any of the main characters in the science fiction film, then the feature probably won’t be as appealing as a viewer would hope it to be.
The males in science fiction films are usually the tough looking types that look like they can hold their own in a fight, but can be clumsy and makes poor decisions that constantly get them into trouble, like the character Malcom Reynolds from the show Firefly. He was a commander during a war which his side lost, and it shows on his face and in his movements, but he constantly messes up by walking into traps and dropping his weapon while trying to show off. But when it comes time to save the day, his training in the military kicks in, and he knows exactly what to do to get him and his people out alive. He was able to take his crew through uncharted space to try and help just one girl, only to encounter odds that usually wouldn’t be successful and managed to get most of his people through safely. If it wasn’t for his strong influence and his military background, none would have survived.
The females in science fiction films are usually portrayed the pretty model types that seem frail and in need of rescue constantly, but they are actually very intelligent and can find their way out of most predicaments by using what the environment that they were placed in to their advantage, like Padme from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. She is a very pretty diplomat that was under protection due to an assassination attempt on her, but she left and got captured. She was able to pick the locks on her handcuffs and climb to safety before she was executed, and keep her attacker at bay using the chains she was bound in until help arrived. If not for her quick thinking she would have ended up being monster food until her help could rescue themselves first. And when the Jedi arrived, she proved to be quite a good shot to aid in everyone’s survival.
These are examples of how characters in the male and female roles are represented in the science fiction genre. The males being the strong, silent type that know how to fight their way out, and the females being the frail and beautiful women that can out think anything they are put through, are iconic to these types of films and have stuck to a mold that has been around since the 1970’s. If not for how these roles are portrayed in the science fiction genre, then the viewers probably wouldn’t feel like the film fit into that category. Also, no one wants to watch a science fiction movie without a scruffy nerf herder.