The Femme Fatale

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The Femme Fatale

• Behind a Mask or, a Womans Power
• by Louisa May Alcott

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Jean Muir Femme Fatale

• Alcott identifies Jean as a femme fatale in
  Chapter 1
• Come now! The curtain is down! So I may be
  myself for a while, if actresses ever are
  themselves!

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ArchetypeDefinition

• A character type that follows a patterned
  sequence of actions or traits.

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Femme Fatale Definition

• French for Fatale or Deadly Woman
• She is a mysterious and seductive woman whose
  charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of
  irresistible desire, often leading them into
  compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations.

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The Archetypal Traits and Behaviors of the Femme
Fatale
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• 1. Mysterious and Seductive

When does Jean demonstrate this archetypal trait?
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2. Bewitching

• In early literature, was portrayed as having
  magical powers (having mystical abilities akin to
  a witch, enchantress, vampire, or demon).

How does Gerald characterize Jean this way?
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3. Misleading

• A femme fatale tries to achieve her hidden
  purpose by using feminine wiles such as beauty,
  charm, and seduction.
• In some situations, she uses coercion or lying
  rather than charm.

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4. Needing Rescue?

• She may also be (or imply to be) a victim, caught
  in a situation from which she cannot escape.
• How does Jean demonstrate this trait?

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5. An Anti-heroine?

• Although typically villainous, femme fatales
  have also appeared as anti-heroines in some
  stories, and some even repent and become heroines
  by the end of the tale.

How may Jean be viewed as heroic?
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6. A Heart Breaker

• In social life, the femme fatale tortures her
  lover in an asymetrical relationship, denying
  confirmation of her affection.
• She usually drives him to the point of obsession
  and exhaustion so that he is incapable of making
  rational decisions.

How does Jean do this to men in the novella?
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Why Artists Depict HerSociological
Interpretations of the Femme Fatale

• Many scholars have theorized varied social
  reasons for the popularity of the femme fatale
  archetype throughout history...

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Why did Alcott write about a femme fatale?

• In other words, which of the following causes,
  prompted Alcott to make the protagonist of her
  thriller, a FEMME FATALE?

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Theory 1 Misogyny

• Some sociologists say that the femme fatale
  expresses misogyny (the hatred or dislike of
  women).

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Theory 2 Growing Independence and Feminist
Movement

• Other sociologists say the Femme fatale remains
  an example of female independence and a threat to
  traditional female gender roles

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Theory 3 Matriarchy Physical Control

• Other sociologists claim that the femme fatale
  expresses woman's ancient and eternal control of
  the physical realm (i.e., Mother Earth,
  reproduction, etc.)

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Closing Questions Unmasking Theme

• What social criticisms does Alcott make through
  her characterization of femme fatale, Jean Muir?
• How does the motif of performance and masking
  support these criticisms?
• What is Alcotts message about a womans power
  and Victorian gender roles? (Hint See title)

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Literary Techniques

• Allusion (Judith Holofernes, Rachel Jacob,
  Coventry Patmore, etc.)
• Repetition (Witch, Enchant, Spell, Charm,
  Good Angel etc.)
• Tone (Satirical towards Victorian Courtship
  Practices Gender Roles)
• Motif (Performance, Masks, Power, Gender,
  Courtshipi.e. Knights Maidens)
• Foil Characters Contrast (Jean/Lucia
  Gerald/Ned)
• Suspense Irony (Particularly in Concluding the
  Novella)
• Theme/Moral (Containing Statement and Warning
  about Gender Oppression)