The Bechdel Test

[rowyn]

I was just thinking about this rule -- that a work should '(1) have at least two women in it, (2) who talk to each other, (3) about something besides a man' -- and it just struck me that if you invert this rule to "have two men in it who talk to each other about something besides a woman", I am not sure if any of Jane Austen's books would pass.

Huh.

Comments

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

Let's see... My Little Pony has what, three male characters with speaking parts? And I don't think Spike, Discord, and Shining Armor ever talk to each other. It fails HARD.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

MLP fails hard in representation of men, period. The stereotypes about men are painful in that show. It's one of the most disappointing things about it.

[zeeth_kyrah]

I actually find that refreshing, as long as I remember that Spike is supposed to be young.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

I don't find stereotypes refreshing, ever. :/

I really like MLP. But I want it to show a more balanced, thoughtful response to men. They don't have to be the stars of the show, they don't have to have frequent speaking parts, but when they're portrayed I want the interactions between the male and female ponies to be less based on... well, stereotype.

[rowyn]

I did like what was shown of Shining Armor, but OH MAN YES. I have so much hate for the portrayal of dragons-as-evil-males. x_x

Oh, and I like Big Mac, too. :) He comes across more as archetype than stereotype to me. But overall ... gah.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

Overall, yes. (And that dragon as evil males episode made me rip out my hair. So did Rarity manipulating that male pony into buying things for her and teaching Fluttershy that this was how you "stood up for yourself." So did Sombra. And so does the whole "Mare and colt" thing. Colts are juvenile males. Pick one! "Fillies and colts" or "mares and stallions!")

UGH.