Bitch Planet (#4)

Something that I would like to touch on in Bitch Planet is the reasoning for why the women ended up being sent to Bitch Planet. While I believe that all of these are crude reasons, there are several that are more inhumane than others. All of them reflect stereotypes that would deem a woman to be imperfect. Even prior to reading Bitch Planet, you can see a whole section on the back cover that asks the question, "Are you too ___________?" (fill in the blank) and then "You just may belong on Bitch Planet." Just this alone sets the tone for the whole entire comic book. This statement represents the societal pressure that women receive every day. Society tells women that they must fit a certain compliant mold and the women on Bitch Planet clearly do not fit within it. For example, race and the negative stereotypes that unfortunately go with them is touched on. Penny, a noncompliant African American woman is portrayed as being angry and violent. Additionally, women's personalities and actions are discussed as well. Katrina is charged with "seduction and disappointment; emotional manipulation; (and) assault." Also, another character, Alika, is called "disrespectful."  This represents the common stereotype that women get about them being "crazy." The expectation that all women must be compliant, obedient mothers is also shown by saying that Danielle is a bad mother. But what makes her a bad mother? Also, disabilities are talked about. Marilyn has down syndrome, which is another "atypical" characteristic. The prominent use of these stereotypes should not be taken as being offensive since Bitch Planet's intention is to be overly satirical and shed light on society's harsh views of women. All of these characteristics can be compared to putting women in society's prison. Perfection is expected to be upheld by women, but why? There should be no flaws and nothing that would make them less "cookie cutter." Luckily, Bitch Planet is a big, feminist smack in the face to everyone who believes that women should be treated this way. By putting these stereotypes in the reader's face, the authors of Bitch Planet are hoping to eradicate the mold that women are expected to be in.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 1, 2017 at 9:42 AM

    Very well put. I too was completely shocked when I read what these women's 'infractions' were but I also couldn't help but wonder if there was a place like Bitch Planet but for men. I am sure that even in this society, all men aren't seen as being perfect and when they aren't perfect where do they go? What warrants them being put in their detention center and would it be a place similar to Bitch Planet or would it be more of a rehabilitation center that is more like a spa and not a prison? I know that the intention of this comic is not to focus on the men but I think that how men treat other men, in this kind of society, can be very interesting.

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  2. UnknownOctober 1, 2017 at 8:02 PM

    I think it's crazy that women get sent to this planet for so many reasons like failure to comply, and that they get sent by men too. If I lived in this society I would have constant anxiety. I really like how you take a psychological analysis of the female prisoners!

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