Patrones de representación posfeministas en Girls: análisis de los significados construidos por fans y detractores

Figueras Maz, Mònica; Tortajada Giménez, Iolanda; Willem, Cilia

Patrones de representación posfeministas en Girls: análisis de los significados construidos por fans y detractores

Citation

Figueras-Maz M, Tortajada Giménez I, Willem C. Patrones de representación posfeministas en Girls: análisis de los significados construidos por fans y detractores. Océanide. 2017;9:9.

Abstract

This article explores, from a feminist perspective, the readings and the public discourse elaborated by the Spanish followers of Girls (HBO-Canal +, 2012- present), an American television show on the life of four twentysomething women in New York, created by and starring Lena Dunham. We have analyzed the comments ofsix blogs (FormulaTv, Vertele, Jenesaipop, Blogelpaís, Foro Vandal and Foro Vogue) from the beginning of the series until October 2016 (Season 5). The study focuses on the characterization and subsequent reception of particular traits of postfeminist representation in the show’s plots and characters: authenticity, self-regulation of the body and agency/choice (Gill, 2007a; Gill 2007b; Gill, 2008). The results show a great diversity of readings (Hall, 1973) by followers in approving and especially rejecting the main protagonist, Hannah/Lena Dunham, who simultaneously incarnates the show’s feminist and postfeminist competitive frames (Weitz, 2016). The intention of authenticity is the most appreciated among the Spanish followers of Girls, while manifestations of self-regulation of the body and the characters’ articulation of ‘choice’ provoke more rejection in both fans and haters. Our main conclusion is that the representations of women and femininity in Girls lead viewers to the construction of a postfeminist notion, mobilizing feminist and antifeminist attitudes simultaneously in their blog comments, but without engaging in an in-depth debate on these issues.