Susan Bordo and the Pursuit of Happyness

Susan Bordo and the Pursuit of Happyness

Susan Bordo is a contemporary feminist philosopher who focuses on cultural study that links modern consumer culture to the idea of genderized bodies. Her particular research focus is describing the manner in which popular culture (especially film) impacts the complex nature of how women and men view themselves, their bodies, and/or their place in the world. Further, from an academic standpoint, she sees the power of cultural phenomena as a way that forms a societal hierarchy and template for ways of behavior, interpretation, indeed of being that become preferable to reality for many people (Bordo).

Chapter 3 of her book Twilight Zones, is an essay entitled "Braveheart, Baby and the Contemporary Body." In this essay, Bordo argues that in contemporary American culture, all that is required is to "stop whining, lace up your sneakers, and forge ahead, blasting your way through social limitations…. And even the laws of nature" (p. 30). Thus, the worst thing for anyone is to be told what to do; to be reactive instead of proactive, and to be inadequate because you, as a thinking individual, failed to take the reins and act appropriately. In the movie Braveheart, of course, the men of the Scottish Highlands are initially victimized in a rather Marxist view of materialistic history; the women even more vapid fodder. Still, the story is inspiring, and might (the English under Longshanks) fail to win the day despite William Wallace's public evisceration. It is Wallace's "eyes on a prize, [with a] will so strong, so powerful, that he is able to endure anything to achieve it. The man has the right stuff" (p. 30). Of course, this theme is repeated again and again, and along with stirring music (e.g. Rocky or Rambo), the audience clearly knows with whom they should identify.

Babe, however, a 1995 Australian film directed by Chris Noonan, adapted from a 1983 novel Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith, tells the heart rendering story of a pig who really wants to be a sheepdog (Chanko). Ironically, while Babe was nominated for seven Academic Awards, including Best Picture, it lost to Braveheart (Babe). For Bordo, Babe is also a success story, but one with a difference. Babe, of course, is supposed to be just a pig -- instead, much like Ferdinand the Bull, Babe years to be something grander -- to prove the power of difference, or for Bordo -- nonassimilation. Babe is a non-conformist, and in the collie world, it is ridiculous to think that a sheep would ever take orders from a pig. However, as the mother ewe noted -- be polite, ask nicely, and don't be a dog (wolf), be yourself. Once Babe finds that voice, success is on the horizon. And, of course, the other farmers are filled with hilarity (representing the outside world) that Farmer Hoggett, a well-respected member of the community, would even think of upsetting the social apple cart by disrespecting tradition so much!

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 semi-biographical movie based on the life of Chris Gardner, starring Will Smith and his son Jaden. Garden, is an on-and-off homeless salesman turned stockbroker, who, through a series of trials and tribulations, finally becomes a multi-million dollar broker -- the epitome of capitalistic success (LaSalle).