Everybody ’s tattle about the “ Bechdel Rule ” all of a sudden , especially as it associate to skill fiction . National Public Radiodid a story on itthe other day . Novelist Charles Strossdissected his own booksto see if they passed the test . ( Two of them failed.)This guyrigorously apply it to tons of skill fiction books , including every single Doctor Who novelization . Just what is the Bechdel rule , and what ’s its underground connection to scifi ? We asked creator Alison Bechdel herself . There are three constituent to the “ Bechdel Rule , ” which Eisner - winning cartoonist Bechdel first articulate 25 year ago in an installment of her comic comic strip , Dykes To observe Out For , particularly relating to movies :
1 . Does it have at least two woman in it , 2 . Who [ at some point ] talk to each other , 3 . About something besides a piece .
So we asked Bechdel if she ’s happy the “ Bechdel Rule ” is buzz off so much play , and whether she thinks it should be apply to science fiction story , as much as other genres . Here ’s what she said :
Yeah , I ’m very beaming masses are talking about the “ Bechdel Rule , ” even though I ’m a small ambivalent about that name . When I talked to the NPR newsman , I evoke changing it to “ Ripley ’s Rule , ” after the Sigourney Weaver character in “ Alien . ” Since at the time of the rule ’s origination , that was the only movie that fit its criteria . But she did n’t use that part of the consultation . It ’s suspect to me that it ’s getting so much play all of a sudden . For me , the Rule is kind of like feminism in a bottle — applied theory , quick and gentle . I think whatever name one gives it , the rule should be apply to everything everywhere , include real life .
The NPR story singles out ABC Family ’s The Middleman forpraise , because Wendy Watson and her roommate Lacey public lecture about artistic production , music , work and a ton of other theme that have nothing to do with Sexy Boss Man aka Pillow Lips . ( Well , I hazard work relates tangentially to Sexy Boss Man . ) It ’s actually quite telltale to learn a snippet of smart dialogue from The Middleman after we ’ve just discover sample of drivel from Sex And The City and Grey ’s Anatomy . Middleman virtuoso Natalie Morales suggest her own corollary to the Bechdel Rule : the Morales Rule , which holler for Latino characters on TV to be well - round down humans , who do n’t suddenly jump up and trip the light fantastic to Salsa music , sprinkle inaccurate Spanish into their conversation , or say “ ay Papi ” every few minutes .
AliensThe Middleman
Daily Newsletter
Get the best technical school , skill , and acculturation tidings in your inbox day by day .
News from the hereafter , delivered to your present tense .
You May Also Like
