Women’s rights progression through pulp magazines
Women have been seen as a second class citizen since before the twentieth century. They have always been depicted in ways that seem demeaning and have been made to seem like the lesser citizen. The depiction of women has progressed more positively throughout the 1900’s and into modern times. One of the earliest depictions of women were on pulp magazine covers. Science fiction pulp magazine covers showed women in skimpy outfits as well as being damsels in distress and in the need of rescue from a man. During World War II, women joined the workforce and were of great benefit to the cause. After World War II, women were seen in a new light. They were no longer restricted from working at more lucrative job positions. Now in modern times, there are depictions of women in strong and powerful positions. Depictions of women have come a long way since there weak depictions shown in early science fiction pulp magazines.
Early science fiction pulp magazines
from the 1940’s, mainly 1939-1941, depicted women as the weaker sex by showcasing them as the half-naked damsel in distress. In an article by Joachim Boaz, it is said “When we conjure the image of a 40s/50s science fiction pulp heroine we often imagine a character who has to be rescued by men from aliens, shrieks and clings to any man nearby, and is always in a state of undress” (Adventures in Science Fiction) http://sciencefictionruminations.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/adventures-in-science-fiction-cover-art-spacewomen-of-the-future-fixing-spaceships-fighting-aliens-charging-across-barren-landscapes/. This is true for most of the images in early pulp magazines. An example of this can be seen in the March 1941 issue of “Fantastic Adventures” with the image of a woman in a loose dress who appears to be unconscious and abducted into a lake by a fish like creature. The image also shows a barbaric man chasing after her in an attempt to rescue her. A clear example of man rescuing the damsel in distress from the monster. Another example of the damsel in distress scenario would be the 1941 September cover for “Fantastic Adventures” where it shows a woman in low-cut top held hostage by a “liquid man”. The cliché damsel in distress scenario was very common at the time due to women not having many rights and being seen as less than equal to men. These covers were created before the start of World War II, which is when women were needed to join the workforce in support of America in the war.
from the 1940’s, mainly 1939-1941, depicted women as the weaker sex by showcasing them as the half-naked damsel in distress. In an article by Joachim Boaz, it is said “When we conjure the image of a 40s/50s science fiction pulp heroine we often imagine a character who has to be rescued by men from aliens, shrieks and clings to any man nearby, and is always in a state of undress” (Adventures in Science Fiction) http://sciencefictionruminations.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/adventures-in-science-fiction-cover-art-spacewomen-of-the-future-fixing-spaceships-fighting-aliens-charging-across-barren-landscapes/. This is true for most of the images in early pulp magazines. An example of this can be seen in the March 1941 issue of “Fantastic Adventures” with the image of a woman in a loose dress who appears to be unconscious and abducted into a lake by a fish like creature. The image also shows a barbaric man chasing after her in an attempt to rescue her. A clear example of man rescuing the damsel in distress from the monster. Another example of the damsel in distress scenario would be the 1941 September cover for “Fantastic Adventures” where it shows a woman in low-cut top held hostage by a “liquid man”. The cliché damsel in distress scenario was very common at the time due to women not having many rights and being seen as less than equal to men. These covers were created before the start of World War II, which is when women were needed to join the workforce in support of America in the war.
Women’s services in weapons factories
during World War II was a great benefit to the war effort and gave women a new social class standing. It was thought that women couldn’t handle the factory jobs that men had. It is stated, in an article entitled Roles for Women in WWII,
Before the war, it was generally expected that a working man was the main provider for his family. So, any woman who took a job was somehow taking it from a man, who needed it to support his family. With so many men away at war, this argument could no longer stand. Women were recruited to many jobs which would previously have been considered too physically hard for them: welding, machine repair, operating tractors and other large engines. They made uniforms, weapons and ammunition. They helped build trucks, tanks and airplanes (Roles for Women in WWII) http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwii/home-wii/roles-women-wwii.
The ability to be able to do these jobs that men could do shocked people and showed that women could also be a great asset to society. As stated in an article by Carolyne Zinko, “One thing is certain: Women's roles in the workforce in World War II indelibly imprinted on the public consciousness that women were capable of all sorts of roles in society in addition to those of wife and mother” (WWII meant opportunity for many women). Women gained a new social standing after the war and were seen with more respect and given more rights. This was something that could be seen through pulp magazines as the covers became more women friendly. For example on the cover of the 1949 September issue of “Super Science Stories”, the women shown on the cover is in a full body spacesuit that isn’t revealing her body. She is also shooting a gun and protecting an injured spaceman. This is a remarkable image because it shows a women being the protector for once. The women is protecting the man, something that is not usually seen especially at this point in time. The women is also fully clothed which is another change of pace from all the other pulp magazine covers. Another example of women becoming more than just a sex symbol or damsel in distress is the cover of the 1950 January issue of “Super Science Stories”. This cover shows a goddess like woman emerging from a twister and shooting lightning from her fingertips. It’s an image that show women in a positive and strong light. Modern mediums show how far women have come as citizens.
during World War II was a great benefit to the war effort and gave women a new social class standing. It was thought that women couldn’t handle the factory jobs that men had. It is stated, in an article entitled Roles for Women in WWII,
Before the war, it was generally expected that a working man was the main provider for his family. So, any woman who took a job was somehow taking it from a man, who needed it to support his family. With so many men away at war, this argument could no longer stand. Women were recruited to many jobs which would previously have been considered too physically hard for them: welding, machine repair, operating tractors and other large engines. They made uniforms, weapons and ammunition. They helped build trucks, tanks and airplanes (Roles for Women in WWII) http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwii/home-wii/roles-women-wwii.
The ability to be able to do these jobs that men could do shocked people and showed that women could also be a great asset to society. As stated in an article by Carolyne Zinko, “One thing is certain: Women's roles in the workforce in World War II indelibly imprinted on the public consciousness that women were capable of all sorts of roles in society in addition to those of wife and mother” (WWII meant opportunity for many women). Women gained a new social standing after the war and were seen with more respect and given more rights. This was something that could be seen through pulp magazines as the covers became more women friendly. For example on the cover of the 1949 September issue of “Super Science Stories”, the women shown on the cover is in a full body spacesuit that isn’t revealing her body. She is also shooting a gun and protecting an injured spaceman. This is a remarkable image because it shows a women being the protector for once. The women is protecting the man, something that is not usually seen especially at this point in time. The women is also fully clothed which is another change of pace from all the other pulp magazine covers. Another example of women becoming more than just a sex symbol or damsel in distress is the cover of the 1950 January issue of “Super Science Stories”. This cover shows a goddess like woman emerging from a twister and shooting lightning from her fingertips. It’s an image that show women in a positive and strong light. Modern mediums show how far women have come as citizens.
Modern depictions of women
show how far women have come in society. There are no more pulp magazines, however comic books are a great modern medium used to depict women/men. In many comic books women are dressed in skimpy and revealing outfits, but at the same time are also seen as these powerful and heroic women. In an article entitled, Women in Comics, “Sue Storm…then changed from Invisible Girl to Invisible Woman to show that she was now a mature woman, who was capable in making it on her own” (Women in Comics). Women in comic books that have been around since even pulp magazines have also gotten the treatment of having its characters become well respected and equal. Even though women in comic books are dressed up, or down, in skimpy and revealing outfits doesn’t make the character any less heroic.
show how far women have come in society. There are no more pulp magazines, however comic books are a great modern medium used to depict women/men. In many comic books women are dressed in skimpy and revealing outfits, but at the same time are also seen as these powerful and heroic women. In an article entitled, Women in Comics, “Sue Storm…then changed from Invisible Girl to Invisible Woman to show that she was now a mature woman, who was capable in making it on her own” (Women in Comics). Women in comic books that have been around since even pulp magazines have also gotten the treatment of having its characters become well respected and equal. Even though women in comic books are dressed up, or down, in skimpy and revealing outfits doesn’t make the character any less heroic.
Women have come a long way since the 1940’s
and are still to this day continuing to progress in women’s rights. In the 1940’s women were seen as the weaker sex and as second class citizens who couldn’t protect themselves and whose sole purpose was to be stay at home wives. After World War II this all changed when they were working in the factories to aid in the war effort. They were seen as strong and intelligent and able to care for themselves. After this they were depicted as tough and commanding in pulp magazines. Now in modern mediums they continue to be depicted as tough and commanding women and are even seen as role models by some. Women’s rights can be seen progressing over the years throughout pulp magazines.
and are still to this day continuing to progress in women’s rights. In the 1940’s women were seen as the weaker sex and as second class citizens who couldn’t protect themselves and whose sole purpose was to be stay at home wives. After World War II this all changed when they were working in the factories to aid in the war effort. They were seen as strong and intelligent and able to care for themselves. After this they were depicted as tough and commanding in pulp magazines. Now in modern mediums they continue to be depicted as tough and commanding women and are even seen as role models by some. Women’s rights can be seen progressing over the years throughout pulp magazines.
Works Cited
Boaz, Joachim. "Adventures in Science Fiction Cover Art: Spacewomen of the Future (fixing Spaceships + Fighting Aliens + Charging across Barren Landscapes)." Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations. Wordpress.com, 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 03 May 2014.
Fuqua, Robert. Cover: Fantastic Adventures, September 1941. 1941. Special Collections and Archives, Oviatt Library, California State University, Northridge. Milt Stevens Science Fiction Collection. Web. 5 May 2014.
"Roles for Women in WWII." Ergo. Ergo, n.d. Web. 03 May 2014.
St. John, J. Allen. Cover: Fantastic Adventures, March 1941. 1941. Special Collections and Archives, Oviatt Library, California State University, Northridge. Milt Stevens Science Fiction Collection. Web. 5 May 2014.
Stevens, Lawrence Sterne. Cover: Super Science Stories, September 1949. 1949. Web. 5 May 2014.
Stevens, Lawrence Sterne. Cover: Super Science Stories, January 1950. 1950. Web. 5 May 2014.
"Women in Comics." Comicvine.com. Comicvine, n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.
Zinko, Carolyne. "WWII Meant Opportunity for Many Women, Oppression for Others." SFGate. SFGate, 25 Sept. 2007. Web. 03 May 2014.
Boaz, Joachim. "Adventures in Science Fiction Cover Art: Spacewomen of the Future (fixing Spaceships + Fighting Aliens + Charging across Barren Landscapes)." Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations. Wordpress.com, 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 03 May 2014.
Fuqua, Robert. Cover: Fantastic Adventures, September 1941. 1941. Special Collections and Archives, Oviatt Library, California State University, Northridge. Milt Stevens Science Fiction Collection. Web. 5 May 2014.
"Roles for Women in WWII." Ergo. Ergo, n.d. Web. 03 May 2014.
St. John, J. Allen. Cover: Fantastic Adventures, March 1941. 1941. Special Collections and Archives, Oviatt Library, California State University, Northridge. Milt Stevens Science Fiction Collection. Web. 5 May 2014.
Stevens, Lawrence Sterne. Cover: Super Science Stories, September 1949. 1949. Web. 5 May 2014.
Stevens, Lawrence Sterne. Cover: Super Science Stories, January 1950. 1950. Web. 5 May 2014.
"Women in Comics." Comicvine.com. Comicvine, n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.
Zinko, Carolyne. "WWII Meant Opportunity for Many Women, Oppression for Others." SFGate. SFGate, 25 Sept. 2007. Web. 03 May 2014.