Rape Culture in the Society: An Analysis of Promising Young Woman

Authors

  • Jammaica Jewel G. Igot Undergraduate Student, Department of Languages and Literature, Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Philippines
  • Zy Gee Louiz C. Lariosa Undergraduate Student, Department of Languages and Literature, Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Philippines
  • Yvonne T. Lim Undergraduate Student, Department of Languages and Literature, Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Philippines
  • Lito L. Diones Associate Professor III, Department of Languages and Literature, Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, Philippines

Keywords:

culture, Fennell, promising, rape, woman

Abstract

Literature is a mirror of society and is an imitation of human life that interprets human behavior that transforms real-life occurrences of reality into fiction. Film and literature provoked the acquisition to issues present in society specifically in rape. Rape is an unlawful activity that involves sexual intercourse. Rape culture is an environment where women sacrifice freedom, conforming women for the bare minimum which safely tolerizes abusers. This study identifies the rape culture prevalent in the society present in Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman specifically in plot, symbols, themes, and characters. The analysis of this study is conducted through Formalist Theory and Feminist criticism. The findings of this study concluded that rape culture is prevalent in the society as presented in the movie. Moreover, blame shifting, slut-shaming, violating privacy, sexual objectification, rape jokes, denial, violating privacy, playing innocent, victim blaming, media pornography, and assuming perpetrator is innocent is found in plot. The symbols of the movie are preconception, anyone can be victims, disbelief, stifling women’s growth, objectification, and healing. Also, negligence, preconception, rape response, silencing victims, scrutiny, effects of rape, rejection of relationship, loss of trust, society’s support and discrimination are themes of the movie. Evidences of rape culture is found in characters such as sexual assault victim, rape victim, cat-callers, rape accomplice, acquaintance rape, protector of assailant, sexual perpetrator, and pedestal jockey. Furthermore, future researchers are recommended to examine plot through Freytag’s plot structure to dissect rape culture in the events of the story. Based on the findings and the conclusion, the following recommendations are hereby offered for future research. The plot is examined through Freytag’s plot structure to dissect the rape culture from each part of the events in the story. Examine the historical references of the symbols in the film and correlate them with the modern culture of rape. The theme is analyzed through the lens of real-life victims of assault to examine its impact. Character’s psychology is scrutinized by means of lines, possible upbringing, and environment to determine the root cause of rape culture.

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Published

16-12-2022

How to Cite

[1]
J. J. G. Igot, Z. G. L. C. Lariosa, Y. T. Lim, and L. L. Diones, “Rape Culture in the Society: An Analysis of Promising Young Woman”, IJMDES, vol. 1, no. 12, pp. 15–26, Dec. 2022.

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