Overview

Although the historical evidence supports a variety of possible interpretations of the life and personality of Joan of Arc, this study argues that filmmakers have tended to recycle only those which support conventional patriarchal constructs. This study explores the meaning of autonomy and the relationship between the historical Joan of Arc, her film representations, and the fictional female superheroes modeled on her example as a warrior woman. The image of a woman in armor leading men to war is disturbing to the patriarchal view of acceptable female behavior. This work compares the documented evidence about Joan of Arc's life and personality to cinematic representations that emerge from six major films made about her from 1918 to 1999. Close analysis of films illustrates the ways in which Joan's heroism is deliberately undermined to prevent her from demonstrating the autonomy of human behavior permitted to male heroes. It concludes by showing that while most of the fictional women warriors inspired by Joan of Arc have been constrained by the same patriarchal concerns, a truly autonomous female hero has finally emerged in Joss Whedon's television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This work will appeal to scholars in film, popular culture and women's studies.

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9780773449459

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... combines mythography, history, and pop culture studies to provide a fresh perspective on this endlessly fascinating and malleable woman. - Prof. Mary Ann Beavis St. Thomas More College With skillfully introduced examples, summaries and citations, she illustrates how writers and film makers have used Joan's career for their own political, social, and entertainment purposes, at the same time imposing gender limitations on Joan's heroism. - Prof. John Tabb DuVal University of Arkansas

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