Yes... 'Who won' indeed?...
If one were to base the answer of that question on the teachings of society, Joan of Arc would be the winner.
Why?
Well, despite her [portrayal's] colorful use of language ('bitches' and 'skank'), Joan stands tall on one of the highest of pedestals: the one reserved for the most virtuous of women. Over the course of history, such a ranking has consisted of a type of woman known as 'the Virgin.'
And as the yin must always have a yang, the opposite of such a female -the one who dwells in the filth and shadow of the pedestal's base -is 'the Slut.'
Early Classifications
The classifications of 'the Virgin' and 'the Slut' have existed longer than the rules of civility of the 1950s/60s or the 'True Cult of Womanhood' in the Victoria Era.
The expected characteristics of a Virgin, in general, are as follows:
- sexually 'pure' / 'untouched'
- refined and poised
- practices Church doctrine
- subordinate to males
- sexually 'active' / 'promiscuous'
- crude and chaotic
- blasphemes Church doctrine
- insubordinate to males
Joan: A Virgin?
Joan of Arc is a saint: there is no dispute on this point. Canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, she is recognized by the Catholic Church as the patroness of soldiers and France.
Born during the Hundred Years War, a bloody skirmish between the British and the French, Joan was raised to be an obedient daughter -both to her parents and to God. In her early teens, she began to hear voices -those of Saints Christopher, Catherine, and Margaret.
As the legend goes: one day the voices of the saints told Joan to leave her childhood home, raise up an army, and crown the dauphin king. Being faithful to these orders, Joan did everything she was told. As a result, however, she would eventually be captured by the British and charged as a witch. Instead of attempting to rescue their heroine, France abandoned Joan.
She was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431 -at the age of nineteen.
Ironically, Joan might have fallen into the category of 'bad girl' in her day and time. She fashioned short hair and a knight's uniform. She claimed to hear divine voices and to be the savior of France. She wielded a sword and led an army. Worse, though: she stood up to her superiors and other men of the time (*gasp!*). Were it not for the sake of miracles or a prophecy (about the coming Maid of Orleans), she might have been locked up in nearest lunatic asylum or burned by her own countrymen.
And yet, she is a saint...?
Well, she was a martyr and a virgin...
Miley: A Slut?
To further the comparison between her and Brittany Spears, Miley Cyrus is certainly an example of a pop icon 'gone bad.'
Granted, much of an entertainer's reputation is formulated by media. Taking this fact into account, however, can it be right to say that Miley could merely be a victim of bad press?
Maybe yes; maybe no.
It all started with a haircut; then came the twerking. Within just a short amount of time, the preteens of today lost sight of the Hannah Montana star that they had come to adore.
In theory, Miley had a meltdown. Like so many of the child stars who came before, she became crushed and lost under the expectations of the entertainment industry and her idolizing fans.
Hannah Montana was the character, the identity that Miley -the girl -was saddled with. Perhaps it was fine for a while; but then the girl had to grow up and shed the skin that was the fictional her.
Surely, though, the real Miley could still be a role model for her young fans -through music, if not also in acting. But the new and radical Miley only stirred the pool of controversy.
Suddenly, no one could control her. She became a forest fire. (Or, rather, a wrecking ball.)
Drugs, vulgarity, and sex: Hannah Montana was officially dead.
Personally, I agree with the latter theory, though. Maybe Miley wanted to grow up; maybe she wanted to be taken seriously. If such is the case, however, I have only this left to say on the matter: Miley, honey, the twerkin' ain't workin'!
"Virgin/Slut": A Dichotomy for the Postmodern Age?
Born during the Hundred Years War, a bloody skirmish between the British and the French, Joan was raised to be an obedient daughter -both to her parents and to God. In her early teens, she began to hear voices -those of Saints Christopher, Catherine, and Margaret.
As the legend goes: one day the voices of the saints told Joan to leave her childhood home, raise up an army, and crown the dauphin king. Being faithful to these orders, Joan did everything she was told. As a result, however, she would eventually be captured by the British and charged as a witch. Instead of attempting to rescue their heroine, France abandoned Joan.
She was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431 -at the age of nineteen.
Ironically, Joan might have fallen into the category of 'bad girl' in her day and time. She fashioned short hair and a knight's uniform. She claimed to hear divine voices and to be the savior of France. She wielded a sword and led an army. Worse, though: she stood up to her superiors and other men of the time (*gasp!*). Were it not for the sake of miracles or a prophecy (about the coming Maid of Orleans), she might have been locked up in nearest lunatic asylum or burned by her own countrymen.
And yet, she is a saint...?
Well, she was a martyr and a virgin...
Miley: A Slut?
 |
| Miley, "Before" |
Granted, much of an entertainer's reputation is formulated by media. Taking this fact into account, however, can it be right to say that Miley could merely be a victim of bad press?
Maybe yes; maybe no.
It all started with a haircut; then came the twerking. Within just a short amount of time, the preteens of today lost sight of the Hannah Montana star that they had come to adore.
 |
| Miley, "After" |
Hannah Montana was the character, the identity that Miley -the girl -was saddled with. Perhaps it was fine for a while; but then the girl had to grow up and shed the skin that was the fictional her.
Surely, though, the real Miley could still be a role model for her young fans -through music, if not also in acting. But the new and radical Miley only stirred the pool of controversy.
Suddenly, no one could control her. She became a forest fire. (Or, rather, a wrecking ball.)
Drugs, vulgarity, and sex: Hannah Montana was officially dead.
Personally, I agree with the latter theory, though. Maybe Miley wanted to grow up; maybe she wanted to be taken seriously. If such is the case, however, I have only this left to say on the matter: Miley, honey, the twerkin' ain't workin'!
"Virgin/Slut": A Dichotomy for the Postmodern Age?
Sadly, for a number of people, the ideas imposed by the 'Virgin or Slut' culture are a popular inheritance -passed down by parents and enforced by certain communities. But does that mean that they (these ideas) belong in this postmodern age?
Surely, by now, it has been established that the modern female should be free to create herself however she sees fit. 'Free,' that is, in the traditional and idolized sense: without ridicule.
The girls of today need role models, something or someone to aspire to.
As a result: The Virgin (Joan), for now, will continue to win.
Surely, by now, it has been established that the modern female should be free to create herself however she sees fit. 'Free,' that is, in the traditional and idolized sense: without ridicule.
The girls of today need role models, something or someone to aspire to.
As a result: The Virgin (Joan), for now, will continue to win.
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