The Portrayal of Gender Roles in Titanic (1997): A Study of How Women and Men Are Depicted Within the Social Context of the Early 20th Century
In Titanic (1997), gender roles play a significant part in shaping the narrative and the characters’ actions. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century society, the film reflects the rigid gender expectations of the time, especially when it comes to the roles of women and men in both the upper and lower classes.
The character of Rose DeWitt Bukater is at the center of this exploration. As an upper-class woman, she is expected to conform to the societal norms of her time, which include an arranged marriage to Cal Hockley, a wealthy and controlling man. Rose’s engagement symbolizes the limited choices available to women in her social class—her life is dictated by the desires of her mother and the expectations of society. However, through her relationship with Jack, Rose begins to break free from these constraints and assert her own agency. Her love for Jack allows her to challenge the expectations placed upon her, demonstrating the emotional and social constraints that women faced in that period.
The men in Titanic, particularly Jack and Cal, represent two extremes of the male experience. Jack, the free-spirited artist from the lower class, embodies youthful rebellion and the desire for freedom. He represents the breakaway from social structures and the pursuit of love without boundaries. On the other hand, Cal Hockley is the embodiment of upper-class male privilege, controlling and possessive. His character highlights the societal expectation that men should protect and dominate, often through wealth and power.
Through these contrasting portrayals of gender roles, Titanic highlights the limitations and expectations that were placed upon both men and women during the early 20th century. The film also reveals how these roles are challenged and ultimately reshaped through the transformative relationship between Jack and Rose, which defies societal norms and leads to personal empowerment.