Looking for positive interpretations of how a character is represented for femininity is hard to come by with its representation starting out as feminine traits and into a statement of Hollywood feminism. But, sometimes there can be characters that just surprise you just a bit and the writing may seem as unlikely as magic spells in real life. This brings us to one of the main inspirations for this type of femininity that was written by JK Rowling in Fantastic Beasts. Which brings us to the character Tina Goldstein.
Tina Goldstein, the partner of our unconventional hero and is a hero in her own right as a female lead. This sort of character marked as the anti-hero is placed on the side as a support status character who works as the under dog for dreams too large to face alone. She has a way of showing a form of femininity that is not usually appreciated or even seen as suitable for the significant other of the main hero of the story.. She is brutally honest, compassionate, and devoted in her womanhood. Porpentina's character is mostly defined by her ability to observe and communicate a persons feelings back to them in greater comprehension then they themselves can put into words. And this can cause a stir in her inability to convince other people emotionally to accept the faults at hand, especially if its themselves. Tina is a Auror, which is a specialist elite forces unit that is deeply dedicated of wizardkine. She spends life persevering, administering, observing, and enforcing the protection of the people of the wizarding world, then directing systematic changes in her own effort to have lasting actions. To penetrate the approach and perspective of their idea of righteousness. "I can't think of anyone that I'd rather have investigation me. -Newt Scamander" "Try not to need investigating for a bit. -Tina Goldstein" While it may sound like the typical situation of the power of plot moving Tina's character what has happened in the story does not follow that route. Tina's understanding of the situation of people is not a plot device as a special power that is left to a super hero ability, even if in a world of magic it would be an easy way out for the writer. With no such powers at her disposal she watches closely to actions that others overlook and take time to deconstruct their thoughts while others do not. "His name's Credence. His mother beats him. She beats all those kids she's adopted, but she seems to hate him the most. -Tina Goldstein" This is not a cold hearted story of one sister compared to a warm hearted story of another sister. Even though the contrast between the Goldsteins in their mannerisms and fashion it does not reflect their values as it extends to their intentions towards other people. Tina is brutally honest and seemingly unpleasant, even more so to others she observes are misunderstood or discriminated by. As her painful concern that is shown at the extermination of prejudged magical people without taking time to understand the person themselves and violent methods she states in the American wizards attack first and understand the person by asking questions in hypothesizing later approach. Her warmness is in her gift of compassion and not in her spells. Simply put it is her tenderness. This type of attentive awareness in femininity is so very strange for a main woman in a show to have and is seen as blasphemy. It was surprising to me that so many who could relate to the character would see their own weakness and lash out in movie reviews of being disappointed by her character. This sort of reaction only reinforces what roll of limited personalities a woman can express their femininity. We viewers of shows as the audience have been trained to look for a certain type of feminine glamour from the female characters in hero or detective films. Expectations often have the woman who are or become supportive, timid, and overly pampered. Or on the other spectrum a sassy, discreet, and flirtatious to an extreme. In female roles in films we forgive the meddling ego stroking in women if they show signs of humility or weakness. We are use to seeing women who are quick to use espionage and slow to conflict. Tina does not follow the overused gender roles in film. Her form of femininity isn't rooted in flirtatious glamour or spy skills nor playing the victim. Not even taking on the typical plot of being sidelined as the males trophy as many other female heroes. Shes honest, passionate, and straightforward. That straightforwardness is painted as her strength rather than a place of vulnerability. When women in modern culture express this sort of straightforward communication they are thought to be labeled "heartess". Because conflicting and emotional numbness are traits that are stereotypically associated with men and their masculinity. And by painting these traits in a way to find strength in a female character challenges the gender expectations in the story that makes it ever more powerful. Time to discuss what Tina does not do. Tina attended the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where she was sorted into Thunderbird House. The house represents adventure, soul, connection, and awareness. Thunderbirds are written to be serious minded and more critical than the other three wizarding houses. Often compared to Hermione Granger of Gryffindor from the original movies in which the house is known for being daring, nerve, and chivalry. In the first movies there is a evolution of Hermione being the smartest girl in the class with little tact, but is destined to change the world with the chosen one. While in comparison Tina is average in her position and is highly unlikely to have been brought to Newt with almost no story cued connection, but somehow they persevere to find a away. The two couldn't be any more opposite of one another. There are still many who dislike Tina as a character and have marked the series off of their view list. It is yet to be seen if they will change their mind to take another look at the character itself in her direct yet well considered and mindful statements. If they do choose to throw out the Fantastic Beasts series that would be a shame. Because there need to be compassionate versions of femininity.
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