Tootsie!

It has been some time since we viewed the movie 'Tootsie' in class but some thoughts from the movie still stick with me. What struck me was that Michael, a man masquerading as a woman showed typically 'masculine' traits, in being more outspoken, in control and not allowing men to take advantage of him as Dorothy, and yet many typically 'masculine' men were attracted to Dorothy. The popular media and society often tells women that they should not exhibit such 'masculine' traits for fear of scaring away men and looking unattractive. Yet, Dorothy who exhibits these qualities was considered incredibly attractive by several men who adhere to gender stereotypes. Why do these men who have power and authority fall for a women who is challenging their status?

Another issue I would like to question is how would the women who looked up to Dorothy as an idol react when they found out that it had been a man who was telling them to stand up for themselves all along? Would they feel insulted that it had to take a man to teach someone how to stand up for themselves and challenge the status quo? Or would these women be appreciative of the fact that Michael had stood up for them as Dorothy despite being a man himself? Furthermore, what would the male audience think? If they viewed her as a refreshing change from the typically submissive roles that females played on TV, how would they view the situation now knowing that Dorothy was actually Michael, a man? Would they still be attracted at the qualities that Dorothy possessed and wish for a woman like Dorothy?

Just some thoughts on the movie even though it was a while ago :)