Gender Roles in Titanic (1997)
I love Titanic, it has been one of my favorite movies since I was a child. Titanic (1997) was so much more than just a history film, it’s a romance drama but it’s also addressing issues of feminism and gender inequality in a time where women were deemed as minorities. The story takes place as a retelling of the tragedy decades after through the eyes of the main character, Rose Dewitt Bukater relieves the story of when she was seventeen years old and engaged to a very rich but controlling man. The marriage was arranged by Rose’s mother Ruth in an effort to ensure that they continue to live wealthy lives since Rose’s father passed away with financial issues. Rose lives up to the socialite standards and expectations but feels trapped because she has no free will to marry someone who loves her for who she is (Cameron, 1997).
Cal is a typical narcissist and control freak as evident by criticizing Rose’s paintings, putting her cigarette out, ordering food for her at mealtime without asking what she wanted, wanting to know where she is all the time, etc. Between Cal and her mother, Rose becomes so overwhelmed to the point she considers ending her own life. This is when a third-class passenger named Jack Dawson enters the picture…
