Wednesday and gender dynamics

The nature of a sequence #7

By Nicoleta Talpes, 7 August 2024

Wednesday (Netflix, 2022) is a popular spin-off series from The Addams Family franchise that has captivated audiences since its premiere. The series has gained significant traction globally, including in Romania, particularly among high school students. Focus group interviews with Romanian high school students reveal a strong interest in the series, especially among girls, who frequently mention its themes and characters. This blog entry introduces Wednesday as a series and explores its potential as a pedagogical tool in high school teaching to discuss gender dynamics and the portrayal of complex female characters.

For pedagogical purposes, employing the “one series, one scene, one issue” approach can facilitate focused discussions on gender issues. In this case, we have chosen a pivotal scene from the first episode, which introduces key gender dynamics, including female empowerment and challenging traditional gender roles. This scene not only highlights gender empowerment but also integrates broader themes of the series.

Wednesday’s Narrative and Gender Dynamics

Wednesday tells the story of Wednesday Addams, a unique and strong-willed young girl who defies traditional female stereotypes. The series revolves around her relationships with other female characters, including her best friend Enid, and her mother Morticia. These relationships are central to the storyline, showcasing the complexity and depth given to each female character, contributing to an overall gender-empowering message.

The fencing scene from the first episode is particularly noteworthy for pedagogical purposes. It displays Wednesday’s exceptional skills and introduces the antagonism between Wednesday and Bianca Barclay. In this scene, Wednesday, dressed in head-to-toe black, visually stands out in a room filled with white-clad fencing students. This subversion of the traditional colour-based archetypes, where the antagonist wears black and the protagonist wears white, sets the tone for the series’ approach to challenging gender norms.

Bianca’s comment, “Let’s see if you bleed black and white,” sets up the ensuing struggle between the characters. Bianca wins the challenge by cutting Wednesday’s forehead, marking a moment of character development and mutual respect. This scene defies traditional gender expectations by placing the ‘real’ fight between two female fighters, challenging the notion of male dominance in competitive and aggressive settings.

Image 1: In Wednesday (S1:E1), the fencing scene between Wednesday and Bianca sets the scene for upcoming antagonism, while at the same time highlighting female empowerment and breaks with gender stereotypes.

Pedagogical Use of Wednesday in High School Teaching

The chosen scene from Wednesday is especially suitable for pedagogical purposes, as it confronts difficult issues within a familiar school setting, offering a nuanced approach to gender dynamics. The scene highlights Wednesday’s agency and determination to prove herself in a male-dominated arena while stressing how masculine stereotypes can be challenged by placing traditionally female figures in these environments.

This scene provides an opportunity to teach various aspects of media literacy, including the concept of focalization, which refers to how a scene can manipulate viewer sympathies through cinematography and editing. The fencing scene demonstrates how Wednesday employs these techniques to highlight gender dynamics and empower its female characters.

Despite its focus on female empowerment, the series also offers moments that challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. Compared with Bianca’s strength and assertiveness, Wednesday’s role as a determined and skilled fencer provides a platform for discussing the complexities of gender representation in media.

Image 2: Pedagogical use of this scene from Wednesday invites teachers to focus on how characters are introduced, how structures of sympathy are established, and how certain gender dynamics may be taught by way of looking at how characters are treated and mobilised in serial drama.

Wednesday serves as a valuable tool for teaching gender issues and media literacy in high school settings. By examining specific scenes and their stylistic elements, students can engage in meaningful discussions about gender dynamics, the portrayal of female empowerment, and the unintended gender biases that may arise in storytelling. This approach enhances their understanding of cinematic techniques and fosters critical thinking about societal norms and stereotypes.

Watch the full sequence from Wednesday through the GEMINI Facebook page.