Journal Article Paper- Making Starbuck Monstrous: The Poetics of Othering in Battlestar Galactica

Stereotypical Characters

The article, Making Starbuck Monstrous: The Poetics of Othering in Battlestar Galactica is the article that will be translated in the given text. Within the given text, Leavenworth does a phenomenal job of describing the transition of Starbuck from a sort of tough girl, but yet still very feminine, into a monstrous being. With great detail and precision this journal of popular culture article depicts how a woman had a strong masculine role within the time it was set. Although in this time period it was not popular for woman to have a tough exterior and tough role within movies or society in general, the movie allows this transition to break the mold and stereotypical findings surrounding women. People in this time period seen women as weak and as though they really had no place other than to be at home, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children. Within the movie it was stated that her ideas were almost blown off when she would give suggestions or ideas to the other characters. Although her ideas may have been fantastic and altogether the solutions to the problems being faced throughout the seasons, she was viewed as not being very intelligent and taken seriously in times of crises. Starbuck was seen as a weak woman against the nature of her make counterparts. This movie allowed women to see that they could have a strong voice and a tough exterior. This allowed an almost breakthrough for women within the time period. Women were given a character that did not go along with the whimsical and flimsy characters from before, but a tough hard core character that shed light on another type of personality.

            Another key point that Leavenworth tuned into was the use of femininity. When I say the use of femininity, I generally mean the way the movie depicted Starbuck to start of very feminine and womanly to gain the popularity and emotional attachment to the audience then turning her into something that was the complete opposite. This change was said to go throughout the seasons of the show which gave time for the audience to get comfortable with the changes and so that the change was not sudden. Starbucks change was gradual and in small spurts throughout the season. Although Starbuck does indeed being to morph and change, we are not given her final depiction of character. She is almost killed off before we are able to see what she truly becomes. This could be seen as a way that they choose to stick with stereotyping that Starbuck was not ultimately changed into a huge horrific monster, but yet still died with femininity. It’s almost as if they did not wish to change her character completely because of the time in which the movie was set and the values, morals, and beliefs that society held within that particular time period. Although the story is set in a monstrous manner, they do not allow the feminine beauty to become a horrible monster, but instead just allow her to exhibit things that the monsters indeed did themselves. We are given the example of her seeing ghosts and seeing her own dead body within the text. We are told that woman in the nineteenth century we not viewed as dominant and were not portrayed that way.

            The way that Starbuck is depicted throughout the story line almost goes to show exactly how stereotyping went along in that particular time period. The way she was talked down to, the way they portrayed her being less than her husband, and the way that she was shown as a monster or madwoman when she went against the grain is perfect perception of stereotyping.

            Overall, I do agree with Leavenworth’s main points throughout the written works. Not only were the points made, but examples, of each were given along with substantial evidence throughout the storyline. The article represented thoughts, views, and beliefs that were true in nature during the stated time period and were specific throughout.

            This article, to me, is important because it takes a look at not only the storyline given, but takes a look at society as a whole within the given time. Leavenworth uses excellent examples to show the use of stereotyping and shows exactly how we are able to relate that information into the translation of the story itself. We are shown why the story may have been written in the manner it was and why the characters depict the traits they are given within the movie.

References

Leavenworth, Van. (2014, August). Making Starbuck Monstrous: The Poetics of Othering in Battlestar Galactica. Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 47(4), pp. 688. 21p.