o   Sexualized from the first moments, as shown in bedroom scene   

o   Eventually gets trapped in the hotel bathroom, chased by the killer--> Damsel in distress
o   Famous bathroom scene: Marion naked gets killed--> female vulnerability and need of protection
o   Killed due to the sexual attraction of the killer to her--> female beauty is evil

o   Female main role, but not on the screen for a long time as killed by the half of the film--> victimization of women 

o   Carrie- damsel in distress, but to a much lesser degree as can protect herself with her supernatural abilities

o   Women are seen as overly emotional--> Carrie is very nervous and often hysterical

o   Her mother is very religious--> possibly damsel in distress, as well since feels trapped in her sins and needs to be saved by a powerful male (God)

o   Carrie trapped in the hate of peers and mother’s hyperreligiosity--> saves herself through revenge= strong female character, but evil

o   Final girl- the last female facing the killer

o   Alice Hardy--> final girl, ultimately fights the killer and survives

o   Female are given more power and strong traits of character as Alice defends herself

o   But also evil as Pamela, who kills out of revenge for her son

o   Female vs female (fight between Alice and Pamela)= revolutionary view of women 

o   Emphasis on chastity--> girls who engage in intimate relationship get killed immediately

o   Female victimization lessens as victims are both, men, and women

o   Mocking the importance of chastity--> no longer imposed on girls; Sidney is a virgin at first but gets chased anyway

o   Mocking stereotypes of young, beautiful woman that is helpless when in danger, as female characters can defend themselves

o   Powerful women = Sidney and Gale Weathers, possess strong traits of character as perseverance and ingenuity--> take over men characters

o   They ultimately defeat the evil man characters and save themselves-->no male support is needed to do so

o   Sexualization of women--> mocking how much society is obsessed with women's body and behaviour concerning it

o   Women are main characters, can be voluptuous and evil as Jennifer

o   But also, brave, and strong as Needy--> suffers from Jennifer’s secret but ultimately acquires self-power to confront her

o   Conflict between two women as a primary theme continues (Needy VS Jennifer), as well as female notion of revenge

o   She is trying to save others from Jennifer, as he discovers her evil nature--> no man protagonist needed to do so

o   Needy tries to fight the evil and ultimately kills Jennifer- not a damsel in distress, but a powerful character who conquers evil and saves others

o   Thomasin--> may appear a damsel in distress but really is a very strong main character as at the end makes a life-changing decision of becoming a witch (demonstrates her independence)

o   Female oppression- any misbehaviour led to be accused of witchcraft
o   Confronting the stereotypes of evil female--> Thomasin is regularly hinted to be so but in reality isn't
o   Thomasin is the only one surviving until the end and acquires supernatural powers--> empowerment of women

o   Females are not damsels in distress--> Adelaide and Zora are capable of defending themselves, so no male protagonist needed to help them out 

o   Adelaide is the main character--> only she can save everyone and knows how

o   “Kill count”- equal for males and females of the family--> female characters possess strong trait of character and are able to defend themselves

o   She kills a lot of shadows herself, while her husband waits for her in the car- she is the leading character full of patience, intelligence, and courage

o   All humans have an evil side (their shadows), not only females, that need to be fought

o   An attractive young woman, trapped and helpless

o   Needs to be saved by a male protagonist