Gilmore Girls and the Politics of Identity: Essays on Family and Feminism in the Television Series (Paperback)

~ Ritch Calvin (Author, Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This work examines the Gilmore Girls from a post-feminist perspective, evaluating how the show's main female characters and supporting cast fit into the classic portrayal of feminine identity on popular television. The book begins by placing Gilmore Girls in the context of the history of feminism and feminist television shows such as Mary Tyler Moore and One Day at a Time. The remainder of the essays look at series' portrayal of traditional and non-traditional gender identities and familial relationships.

Topics include the hyper-real utopia represented by Gilmore Girls' fictional Stars Hollow; the faux-feminist perspective offered by Rory Gilmore's unfulfilling (and often masochistic) romantic relationships; the ways in which "mean girl" Paris Geller both adheres to and departs from the traditional archetype of female power and aggression; and the role of Lorelai Gilmore's oft-criticized marriage in destroying the show's central theme of single motherhood during its seventh season. The work also studies the role of food and its consumption as a narrative device throughout the show's development, evaluating the ways in which food negotiates, defines, and upholds the characters' gendered and class performances. The work also includes a complete episode guide listing the air date, title, writer, and director of every episode in the series.

About the Author

Ritch Calvin teaches in the women's studies program at SUNY Stony Brook in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 229 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786437278
• ISBN-13: 978-0786437276
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #512,956 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gilmore Lives On, January 14, 2009

By	L. E. Johnston "A Person" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There's an old saying, "If you love something, let it go." Well, we all had to let go of the Gilmore Girls when they went off the air, but now here's a way they've come back to us. This book is not only interesting, but it's like talking with your girlfriends about your favorite show. My mom and I ("freakishly linked," I think is how Rory said it!) both really enjoyed it...

Despite a few technical errors only obsessed fans would notice- for example an author of one of the essays says something about how both Emily & Richard went to Yale. They did not both go to Yale, only Richard did. In "I Am Kayak, Hear Me Roar" Emily clearly states that she went to Smith and majored in history. It is annoying that whoever wrote that essay obviously didn't watch the show, but at the same time, it's a totally excusable mistake because that was not the point of the essay.

If you love the Gilmore Girls, this one is fun too:
Coffee at Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest (Smart Pop series)