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Female Warriors in the MCU and Wuxia Films: A Comparative Study
YE Wan-hua
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DOI:10.17265/2159-5836/2024.05.012
School of Undergraduate Education, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, China
This essay offers a comprehensive comparative analysis of female warriors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Wuxia films. Both genres portray powerful and empowered female characters who defy societal expectations and embody resilience, effectively challenging gender norms and promoting female empowerment. However, despite their strength, many of these women warriors face certain narrative factors, such as the male gaze and a predetermined fate, which can restrict their agency and curtail their full potential. And it is within the realm of Wuxia films that the captivating element of cross-dressing among female warriors emerges, providing a nuanced exploration of identity and the constraints imposed by society.
female warriors, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wuxia films, strength and agency, male gaze, predetermined fate, cross-dressing
Journal of Literature and Art Studies, May 2024, Vol. 14, No. 5, 386-394
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