Orange
is the New Black,
the newly released Netflix original series, is a drama that takes place inside
a women’s prison. At first glance, this ‘confined’ setting may seem to limit
the potential of the series to keep the audience engaged. However, Orange is the New Black is powerfully captivating
and the great depth of its characters provides its audience with unique
perspectives on race, gender, and sexuality.
Those who have seen the series
would probably assume I will go on to talk about the dynamic sexuality within
the storyline. Considering that there are more than a few lesbian sex scenes,
this does seem to be the most obvious route to take (Oh, and did I mention that
the main character is an x-lesbian drug trafficker who is now engaged?).
However, what I find most interesting about the series is the unique portrayal
of male and female gender roles.
While watching the series, I
found myself slightly turned off, and at times angry, by its representation of
the male gender. Let’s look at Larry for instance; the fiancé of our main
character, Piper. Larry is a hopeless romantic, and powerless over a woman he
has fallen madly in love with (Chris Longo). This depiction of for instance,
Larry, confronts this stereotype because, typically, society has grown
accustomed to seeing the woman as the one who dreams of happy-ever-after. In
addition to his sensitivity, there are several times in Orange where Larry is made out to be quite helpless. For example,
when Piper is put into “the shoe” on Thanksgiving, Larry desperately attempts
to get her out. Although it is not his fault, his struggle to do so reminds the
audience of how powerless Larry is when it comes to Piper’s time in prison. He
is far from fitting the role of the stereotypical male who provides for and
takes care of his family.
Another male character to take
note of is Mr. Healy, who portrays an oblivious counselor who is introduced in
the series when he tells Piper, “You do not
have to have lesbian sex,” (Hannah McIlveen). But besides his disgust (or
obsession?) with sexual relations between inmates, he is a man desperate for
someone to talk to. So desperate, in fact, that he sought companionship in a
mail-order bride. Throughout the series it becomes clear that his wife is
taking advantage of him, and she does not bother to hide her hatred and disgust.
With Mr. Healy, his apparent ignorance and his emotional weaknesses challenges the idea of men being both intellectually and emotionally strong.
Both Larry and Mr. Healy
represent Orange’s reoccurring theme
of resisting the stereotypical gender roles, and looking at the female roles,
there is more evidence of such challenges. The majority of the story takes
place within the prison, and focuses on the lives of numerous women who are
extremely diverse in nature. All of the women that the series focuses on serve
to represent female strength in the face of hopelessness.
The main character, Piper, goes
through a drastic transformation throughout both seasons. The first season
begins by showing Piper’s fear and despair about going to prison, when she
cries while sitting on the toilet. But as the seasons progress we see another
side of Piper, and after accepting her fate and past actions she finds a way to
survive in prison and proves to be stronger than anyone could imagine (Chris
Longo). She survives living with her x-lover who turned her in, Alex; and a
murderer who wants to kill Piper and believes that in doing so she is doing the
work of God. Piper’s inner strength when compared with the male characters in
the series serves as a contrast that again challenges typical gender roles.
Another interesting scene is when Alex tells Piper that her mother has died,
and Piper shows very little empathy (Rar Kelly). She still chooses to leave
Alex immediately. Again, this scene challenges the role of women as a motherly
figure that empathizes with those that she loves.
Another powerful female presence in
the series is the cook, Red. Her stern behavior becomes more understandable as
her backstory unravels, and we learn of her involvement with the Russian mob
(Chris Longo). She is a leader and many
of the inmates call her Mom. This tough-talking Russian cook looks out for the
girls in the prison, and takes extreme pride in her kitchen job (Rar Kelly). Although the inmates call her Mom, I would
argue that Red acts as more of a fatherly figure. Other than providing for the
girls, whether it is smuggled toothbrushes or juice boxes, Red also protects
them. Her struggles throughout the series reveal her role as a strong figure.
There are other characters
throughout Orange that contradict commonly
held gender roles. The series asks viewers to be open to new perspectives of
prison, race, identity, and sexuality while providing a varied representation
of both genders (Hannah McIlveen). Orange is thoroughly watchable, containing
humor, tragedy, and many emotionally moving scenes. The angle that it provides
on the issue of gender roles makes it much more interesting and effective.
WORKS
CITED
Chris Longo: http://www.denofgeek.us/tv/orange-is-the-new-black/170941/orange-is-the-new-black-10-best-characters
Being someone whose never watched the show, you bring up interesting points and numerous examples of how conventional and stereotypical gender norms are challenged - I might have to look into watching this one!
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