In a professional workplace setting, people are often discriminated against based on their color, race, and gender. Similarly, a Netflix series, SUITS, aired in 2011, highlighted gender and power dynamics that women, in particular, face in a male-dominated profession and workplace.
I was intrigued to realize the fact that characters in this series, such as Rachel Zane and Donna Paulson, are portrayed in such a way that they have to dress in a certain manner, wearing fitted dresses and high heels, highlighting more of their appearance rather than focusing on their workplace roles as paralegals and assistants. What I took from it was how their abilities to work and gain success were directly proportional to their physical attractiveness and traditional gender roles, even if they stepped out of their household and tried to establish their career.
This show also portrays an essential aspect of how a black woman can be a confident and powerful team leader in her male-dominated law firm, which was impressive to me because it is almost certainly assumed that women of color struggle to progress in their careers while not being dependent on any male member of their household. However, it also fails to address the independent success of this character, as Jessica Pearson, the team lead, tends to provide a supportive role around Harvey Specter’s career, the main character, sidelining her own career often.
Overall, this show depicts the representation of leadership and gender roles in male-dominated societies and workplaces and tries to make a move to challenge traditional gender roles gradually.
Your analysis of Suits aligns with Simone de Beauvoir's critique of how women are often reduced to their appearances, a theme she explores in The Second Sex. De Beauvoir argues that women are frequently socialized to view themselves as objects to be looked at, valued more for how they appear to others than for their intrinsic qualities or capabilities. As you very correctly pointed out, this phenomenon is reflected in Suits through characters like Rachel Zane and Donna Paulson, whose professional abilities are often sidelined by the show's focus on their physical attractiveness. The emphasis on their appearance, particularly in a high-stakes professional setting like a law firm, mirrors de Beauvoir's observation that women are often expected to conform to societal ideals…
I highly agree with your take on Suits. Even though Donna and Rachel are presented to be these boss women who get the work done the show fails to do them justice in this aspect because they are always there to supplement the men around them most notably Harvey and Michael. The show tries to break out of these gender stereotypes but continually reinforces ideas of traditional masculinity and femininity in the workforce. Harvey is an excellent example of traditional masculinity as he is shown to be emotionless, continually objectifies women, and has no interest in forming a proper meaningful relationship with anyone. The women in the show are always dressed in tight clothing that emphasizes their curves which reinforces…
Your analysis about the women wearing certain types of clothing and adopting a specific demeanor is intriguing. I think this angle is very different from the rest of your analysis of women climbing up the ladder and ambitiously suceeding in this law firm setting. The former, in my opinion, should not be overshadowed by the incremental levels of empowerment for women that the show puts forth.
To elucidate, I think it is very important to note the other, more tricky aspects. For instance this "eye-candy" stereotype of women that the show falls prey to. Additionally, i think for the most part, the kind of women empowerment and feminism that the show poses is that of neo-liberalism. From Jessica Pearson to…
It’s worth noting that Suits does depict some growth in terms of gender dynamics throughout the series. For example, Donna Paulson transitions from a secretary to COO of the firm, which is a significant role shift. However, even in this elevated position, her role often revolves around emotional labor and support for male colleagues, reflecting how leadership roles for women in the series still lean on gendered stereotypes. Additionally, while Jessica Pearson holds significant power, her departure from the firm and subsequent spinoff show (Pearson) could have been a chance to further explore her independent leadership but didn’t fully capitalize on her character’s potential.
I loved watching suits and loved the lens you used to look at the show. I particularly liked your emphasis on the female characters of the show reduced to both secondary characters even though they are crucial to the story line as well as them being reduced to their gender more specifically their body. Jessica often is shown as a "baby sitter" for Harvey even though she is a trailblacing woman of colour leading a prominent legal firm. Her Portrayal usually highlights her as Harvey's protector and mentor, which quietly reinforces the notion that her strength is primarily used to elevate a male character rather than thoroughly examining her own leadership development. Similarly Donna's character is reduced to Harvey's assistan…