The Reality and Exposure of Sexual Violence in Telenovelas
It's a common addition to any telenovela plot: the protagonist is sexually objectified or harassed or even attacked. At first glance, it may seem that this is included as a superficial glorification about how all women experience this and it causes X or Y problem. However, I think there is so much more to this aspect of any plot. In the last few years, women all around the world have become so much more vocal about their experiences of sexual violence. They have broken the tacit societal taboo of speaking out about sexual harassment, and in turn have encouraged more and more women to stop biting their tongues in fear of repercussions or abandonment or lack of support. I personally believe that sexual violence has become so much more common and explicitly shown in recent telenovelas in support of these women. These scenes aren't glorifying the acts; they're condemning them and saying to all viewers, "Hey. This is happening. It's real and it's scarring and it's despicable."
Characters who experience rape or sexual harassment, like La Reina del Sur's Teresa Mendoza, are changed by these acts and are scarred by the memories. One of Teresa's most common flashbacks that aren't of her lovers is her rape at the very beginning of the show. This constant allusion to the first few episodes shows the audience how badly she was emotionally and mentally hurt and how it has shaped her to become the woman she is as the telenovela continues. The worst antagonists are always the ones who do this to the protagonist – this is another way the telenovela is relating the monstrosity that is sexual violence. They are showing that only the worst of the worst are capable of these acts. The constant reoccurrences of these situations in shows and movies are showing how many women have, in reality, faced similar experiences and that there is a future to keep working towards.
While it is indubitably used as a source of drama in telenovelas, the sexual violence protagonists experience is more than just an obstacle. It's a recognition of reality, a source of connection between the character and audience, and a condemnation of the harassment in a masked manner.
I really like your analysis about this topic, and I agree with it being used more prominently with these characters to show that there is a real problem. It seems like some people are saying that sexual harassment issues are happening more often than they used to, which is possibly true, but the difference between now and then is that everything is publicized more nowadays. With social media at an all time high, it is kind of hard not to hear about these issues more than the days before worldwide news was available at your fingertips. Personally, I'm also glad that these issues are being talked about more in these telenovelas. While it may make a plot more sad or dark or be uncomfortable to talk about, it is a real issue that should be addressed and known about.
ReplyDeleteThere was not exactly a rape scene in my telenovela, but there was attempted rape. One of the characters had been abducted and was being held captive, and a captor tried to take advantage of her. Luckily, it was interrupted by another character (who is now her main love interest), but the scene was still heart-rending. I wonder if the writers of my show were trying to send any sort of message as well... maybe about consequences of such actions, because soon after the man tried to rape her, he was killed for the attempt. I thought it was interesting too that the man that saved her, despite being a character who works against the protagonist, became the love interest of the girl.
ReplyDeleteThe writers might be sending subliminal messages of a sort- do what is right, and things will work in your favor. Do not, and you will have to face the music.