Gender Representations in "House of Cards"

Leah Baack

Gender Representations in “House of Cards”

House of Cards is a Netflix series based off the 1990 BBC television series in the UK, and novel by Michael Dobbs. The first episode aired on February 1, 2013, and the series stares Kevin Spacey as Congressman Francis J. “Frank” Underwood. It’s a dark political drama focused around Underwood’s ruthless journey to conquer Washington D.C. His wife Claire, played by Robin Wright is a vital asset in his decisions. She is a philanthropist, and director of the non-profit Clean Water Initiative organization, which aims to bring clean water to Third World countries. Together, their drive and determination help them reach their goal, whatever the cost may be. Throughout this paper I will be arguing how Frank Underwood’s character reinforces dominant masculine stereotypes, through his evilness, and hunger for success. While his wife’s character resists dominant female stereotypes through her cold, anti-feminism personality.

Frank’s character reinforces dominant masculine stereotypes because his identity revolves around his career. Regardless of the context or situation, he is always referred to as, “Congressmen Frank Underwood.” He is the Majority Whip in the House of Representatives and when he is passed over for the position of Secretary of State in the first chapter, he sets out for revenge. He is a manipulative, power-hungry man who operates seamlessly. Everything he does revolves around the bigger picture, he is extremely effective in what he does because he has the resources and skills to match. For example, in season one chapter 4, he takes Peter Russo under his wing and grooms him to be the next governor of Pennsylvania. To outsiders is appears that he is a true supporter of Russo’s sobriety and campaign. But to his surprise in chapter 10 Frank blackmails him to gain control and plant the seed for his next move. He sets Russo up for failure and (SPOILER ALERT) ultimately murders him in the finale of season one (February 1, 2013). All of this evidence demonstrates how Frank Underwood’s character is the prime example of masculinity. His character takes hegemonic masculinity to another level. He is evil to the core, and doesn’t represent a fatherly figure; in fact he doesn’t like or want children because he thinks they are an annoyance. No one ever questions what he says or does, it truly is his way or the highway no exceptions.  

Another example of how Frank’s character reinforces the male stereotype is through his relationship with the reporter, Zoe Barnes. She’s a young attractive up-and-coming journalist who’s eager desire for information lands her into Frank’s back pocket. In chapter 3, Frank and Zoe start an affair that is based on him feeding her stories relating to the scandal going on in the White House, and she comes on to him as a way to show her appreciation and gratitude (February 1, 2013). To Frank, Zoe is nothing more than a disposable source and sexual object. The relationship is based off power, and not romantic whatsoever. Claire condones the affair because they have an open relationship and freely see other people as long as they are completely honest and don’t become emotionally attached. Frank’s character keeps with the notion that men can casually have sex without getting emotional attached, while it resists the female stereotype through Claire’s character because she too is allowed the same.

Claire’s character resists dominant female stereotypes because she “isn’t flaunting her sexuality as her only weapon against the patriarchy that surrounds her” (Slavin, 2013). She is an aggressive businesswoman who is poised and ruthless. She is the executive director of the non-profit organization, Clean Water Initiative, and unlike most female celebrity philanthropists who are loving and compassionated, Claire is cold and calculated. Everything she does is carefully detailed and thought out as to how it can better her and Frank’s overall status and image. For example, in chapter 1 of season one, she fires 18 of her loyal employees (which is over half her staff) to make room for her new up-and-coming project, Charity Well. She does because she refused SanCorp’s donation, which would put Frank at risk for providing political favors (February 1, 2013). This example reinforces that Claire and Frank are a perfect match when it comes to their business strategies; she too is willing to do what it takes.

Another example of Claire’s character resisting “the cultural assumption that women belong in the domestic realm of home and family” (Mittell, 2010, p. 337) is in chapter 9. She defies Frank and instead looks out for the best interests of her organization. When confronted about the situation, she responds,“[I did it] For myself…I fired half of my staff for us. I have turned down donations for us. I drafted Peter’s bill for us. I diverted time and energy…for us…” (Chapter 9, February 1, 2013). She asserts herself and doesn’t tolerate when Frank treats her unequally in the partnership. She also doesn’t allow him to take advantage of her and by doing so she resists the female stereotype of women being passive, and represented as the victim. Lastly, she doesn’t reinforce the “…traditional notions of female dependence on take-charge male figures” (Mittell, 2010, p. 337-338).

Not only does Claire’s character resist dominant female stereotypes, but proves to be sexist toward her employee Gillian Cole in chapter 10. Gillian pioneered the idea for Charity Well and when she discovers Claire’s less-than-pious philanthropy practices, they argue and Claire ultimately tells Gillian to take some time off. Gillian responds with a discrimination lawsuit because she believes Claire has something against her being pregnant. In chapter 13, the audience discovers that Claire has had three abortions due to Frank’s opposing views of raising a family (Hoffman & Goodman, 2013). Her doing so goes against the female stereotype of being the caring, motherly figure and further reinforces her sacrifices she has made.

Through the show House of Cards, it demonstrates the complexity of roles by both reinforcing and resisting dominant gender stereotypes through Frank and Claire’s professions and personalities. Frank reinforces it through his evilness and power hungry business strategy. Claire resists the female stereotype through her cold emotionless personality. The show’s dramatic storyline proves that in order to break the female traditional gender stereotype, switch-ups need to be made. This is also true for reinforcing the dominant male stereotype because Frank’s character takes masculinity to another level. His arrogance and pride serve as a force field of isolation from reality.

References

Hoffman, M., & Goodman, E. J. (2013, February 12). Abortion: The ultimate

trump card in house of cards. Huffingpost . Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/merle-hoffman/abortion-the-ultimate-tru_b_2670480.html

Mittell, J. (2010). Television & American Culture. (pp. 329-353). New York:

Oxford University Press

Slavin, L. (2013, April 17). Claire Underwood: The ice bitch of Netflix's "House of

Cards". Retrieved from http://feminspire.com/claire-underwood-the-ice-bitch-            of-netflixs-house-of-cards/

Willimon, B. (2013, Feb. 1). House of Cards. Netflix