Posts

The Beginnings

The Beginnings

Image
The beginnings of Dr. Harleen Quinzel are one of manipulation and abusive tendencies. She was created for the children's animated series just as a "one and done" character, then the reoccurring mistress of the Clown Prince.  Starting off in the world of Gotham at Arkham Asylum, Dr. Quinzel was assigned as a psychiatrist to the Joker. The Joker convinces her of his love for Harley, manipulating her into becoming his accomplice.  Throughout the show, she was used as the "punching bag" of the Clown Prince time and time again. This is most notably seen as a troupe for female characters. "Women in Refrigerators", coined by Gail Simone, responds to the portrayal of women in situations where they are affected by injury, rape, abuse, or killed to push the storyline of the man forward. Once her popularity grew from the animated show, Harley was written into comics. Which in turn put her abuse on paper, as well as sexualizes her and her abuse. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Sexualization in the 2010s

Image
The sexualization of this female character has stimmed across media for generations. In 2016, Warner Bros released the live-action version of Suicide Squad . In this portrayal, Harley is "just another bubble-headed blonde bimbo" or so the creators would have you think. From her opening scene, where she is dancing seductively on a pole at Joker's nightclub, Harley is deemed a sex symbol with eyes only for the crown prince himself. Later on, when released from prison to serve on the task force, the camera pans her body as she changes into her attire, emphasizing her shorts. This is the outfit that viewers see her in for the rest of the movie.  Her shirt says "Daddy's Little Monster" and her choker is adorned with her lover's nickname, "Puddin". This all shows the sexualization of Harley as the Joker's property.  In 2013, DC Comics released an art contest featuring Harley Quinn. This prompt asked artists to draw Harley in 4 different scenarios...
Post a Comment
Read more

Modern Portrayal

Image
 Modern Portrayal of Harley includes a "redemption" from her abuse and her crimes. She has become a light for the empowerment of domestic abuse survivors and women as a whole.  She is no "bubbleheaded blonde bimbo". She is positive about her sexuality while choosing for herself instead of others choosing for her.  She "emancipates" herself from the Joker and goes on to lead a girl group, as well as forming a romantic relationship with Poison Ivy. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Abuse Issues throughout the Portrayal of Harley Quinn

Image
Harley Quinn is just another example of the misogyny and sexism that women face in the comic book industry.  She was introduced as nothing more than comedic relief at the expense of abuse.  Some of the most notorious issues of abuse are as followed. - Joker needs help carrying out plans and again, Harley happily obliges. However, she then meets the bottom of Joker's boot when he kicks her face for suggesting that he couldn't do it alone.  - Joker tosses Harley out their building window due to her capturing Batman for him. - Joker has hung Harley from a chain by her neck so that the torture might reveal secrets that the Joker thought she was hiding.  The previous are all examples of physical abuse, yet Harley endured emotional/mental abuse as well, all for the sake of a joke.  - She is deemed as "Property of the Joker" and "Daddy's Little Monster" as a way of showing that the Joker owns her.  But, Harley Quinn has guided both herself and her fans through ...
Post a Comment
Read more