Analyze how Legally Blonde aligns with G. Swanson's concepts, including its values, ideologies, and representation. The stereotype of blondes as unintelligent is prevalent in society, and this perception is effectively portrayed through the character of Elle Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon) in Legally Blonde.
At the start of the film, the audience is presented with a mane of flawless golden blonde hair during the credits, establishing the 'blonde' theme. Initially, the film relies heavily on stereotypes. Elle's affluent parents reside in a grand house complete with a pool.
The father is frequently pictured with a martini, a drink associated with the upper class, indicating his wealth. The mother is younger and fits the stereotype of a trophy wife. The character's boyfriend, Warner, is immediately perceived as posh due to his stereotypically posh name "Warner Huntin
...gton III".
The portrayal of a wealthy man in the story is predictable in many ways. He arrives in a convertible, sporting an expensive suit and a confident demeanor. The setting of the sorority house is also stereotypical, evoking an idyllic image of a perfectly manicured lawn and pristine buildings free of any signs of litter. All these elements conform to common perceptions of wealth and affluence, living up to the audience's expectations for such characters.
The film depicts a group of stereotypical American teenagers and young adults. They can be seen enjoying themselves, engaging in activities such as playing in the water and throwing Frisbees. The boys, who are mostly half-dressed, whistle and cheer at an attractive blonde cycling by, causing them to stop what they are doing to watch her. The characters all seem to be familiar with one another and lead idealistic
lifestyles, with lots of cheerleaders and skinny girls dressed in bright and cheerful clothes with added adornments. It's noticeable that practically everyone at this sorority house has blonde hair, with only a few exceptions.
All of them engage in activities that are typically associated with girls, particularly Elle. The audience gets to know her initially through the activities she performs rather than her personality. Initially, she is shown brushing her hair, shaving her legs, and putting on nail polish and jewelry. It is only after the audience has seen her perform these 'tasks' that they get a glimpse of Elle's persona.
The typical girly theme in 'Legally Blonde' is evident; the colorful set design featuring pink and fluffy props and a 'homecoming queen' banner on the wall. Additionally, the audience is twice shown Herbal Essences blonde shampoo, emphasizing the 'blonde' trait. These elements align with the common expectations of a wealthy, American teenage blonde. Gillian Swanson's description of blondes includes traits such as strange logic, innocence, naivety, manipulative skills, humor, emphasized body, childlike nature, and adult seductiveness. Initially, all of these qualities are visible in Elle Woods, including her assumptions about her handsome boyfriend's visit with his grandmother potentially leading to a proposal.
It is evident that the logic presented in the situation is peculiar, as there are numerous reasons that could explain why he visited his grandmother. It is not necessarily to retrieve an engagement ring from her. Consequently, the woman decides to embark on a spending spree to find an appropriate outfit. During her shopping escapade, the store attendant introduces the concept of the "dumb blonde" by stating "there's nothing I love more than
a dumb blonde with daddy's plastic." This statement instantly highlights the existing stereotype associated with blondes. Additionally, while breaking up with her, Warner also references her "blondeness" and emphasizes that he needs to marry someone like Jackie Kennedy Onassis instead of Marilyn Monroe.
According to Warner, Jackie Onassis was a sensible, intelligent woman with dark hair, while Marilyn Monroe was very beautiful, blonde, but less intelligent. However, Warner does not want a stereotypical blonde like Marilyn Monroe because he needs someone who does not have an 'emphasized body'. This becomes evident when she asks him why he is treating her this way and questions if it is because she has big boobs. She mentions her looks twice and draws attention to her 'emphasized body'. When she first starts law school, someone refers to her as "Malibu Barbie," another derogatory term that highlights her blonde hair and 'emphasized body'.
Throughout the film, the character displays several childlike traits. For instance, when she is opening an envelope, she displays intense concentration on her face, a trait commonly associated with young children when performing such tasks. Additionally, the character uses childish vocabulary like calling a woman with brown hair "icky," and referring to her companion as a "butthead." These traits endow her with an innocent child-like image that belies her actual maturity. When Warner attempts to force her into his car after dumping her, the only thing that convinces her is when he tells her walking will ruin her shoes, a behavior that exemplifies young children's strange logic.
It's a well-known fact that shoes are designed for walking. In the movie, there are two best friends - one blonde and
one brunette. The brunette is portrayed as being much more intelligent than her blonde friends. This is demonstrated in a scene where they are having a manicure and pedicure, and the blonde keeps interrupting their conversation. The brunette speaks to the manicurist in Mandarin, a difficult language which sets her apart from the blondes. This intelligence is also shown later on when the blonde struggles to pronounce the word "metabolism", and the brunette has to correct her. Elle's father reinforces this point by saying that law school is for people who are uninteresting and unattractive.
The audience's typical blonde expectations are outlined once again with the phrase, "And you, button, are none of those things." In distinction to the sorority house, law school students dress in monotonous and unremarkable clothing with very few blondes. This reiterates the stereotype of the 'dumb blonde', suggesting that intelligent blondes can't make it to law school. It's emphasized when the group shares a little bit about themselves, revealing that all three other members (who are dark-haired) have achieved PhD's, Masters degrees, boast high IQ's and participate in charity activities such as de-worming orphans. In contrast, Elle only holds a fashion degree and is underequipped for class as she arrives without a laptop, books or preparedness. The only items she brings are a notebook and a fluffy pen, which do not suit law school.
As she tries to fit in, she begins wearing unremarkable clothing. During her time at Harvard, Elle exhibits a mature and seductive demeanor while "breaking up" with a fellow student. When he is rejected by another girl for being a social outcast, Elle steps in and
uses her savvy to sway their opinion. She feigns that they were once a couple and that he left her heartbroken by not calling after their date. Elle's seductive charms are also apparent in her choice of dress. At a costume party, she wears a highly provocative bunny outfit that leaves little to the imagination.
In the movie, Elle faces irony when she is chosen to assist on a murder case along with her ex-boyfriend and his new fianc�e. She learns that although she effortlessly gained admission into Harvard despite being labeled as a 'dumb blonde', Warner's father had to intervene for his admission. This fact becomes a turning point in the movie when a blonde female beats up a dark haired male, disproving the 'dumb blonde' stereotype and leveling the playing field between them.
Elle Woods has both beauty and intelligence, which makes her on par with a man. However, she proves herself by defeating him and rises above him in status. Furthermore, she takes control in her murder trial and even replaces the man in charge. Surprisingly, she solves the case quickly. This movie demonstrates Gillian Swanson's theory on essential characteristics of blondes, using Elle Woods as an example. Even when Elle is a serious law student who wins a murder trial, she retains her childlike and naive demeanor while also exhibiting other attributes mentioned by Swanson.
Although she possesses these qualities, she ultimately prevails and sheds the stereotype of being a "dumb blonde", becoming just a blonde by the end of the movie.
