There aren't many implications revolving around the idea of chivalry, honor, and men being territorial when it comes to women. This is something that is natural, and happens with many species of animals. Stepping back, analyzing, and watching what happens in the “Shindig” episode of Firefly allows us to observe extreme human behavior from a rational perspective. It also gives us an opportunity to compare it to real world situations and discuss the reasons for the behaviors involved.
It's my belief that a female who watches the episode isn't surprised by anything she sees. This is something a woman might appreciate a man doing if he cared about her. As a male, I'm not surprised when Atherton and Mal fight for Inara, and I assume not many other men would be either. It seems extreme though when you step back and look at the rationality of it. Yet, we all know why they are fighting and it doesn't shock us. It's makes you take a closer look at the situation though, and other real life situations similar to it, and ask "why?". My Analytical Research Project will answer that and hopefully give some perspective on the reasons behind the behavior.
It's really weird to think about how biological ideas of social behaviors like chivalry that were once evolutionarily advantageous are often at conflict with more modern social concepts like feminism.
ReplyDeleteGood observations!