The Bechdel Test
Dec 12, 2023 08:54:21 #
I find this amusing - from Word-A-Day.
Bechdel test
PRONUNCIATION:
(BEK-duhl test)
MEANING:
noun: A test of inclusion and representation of women in a work of fiction.
ETYMOLOGY:
After cartoonist Alison Bechdel (b. 1960), who described the concept in her comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For (1985). Earliest documented use of the term “Bechdel test”: 2005.
NOTES:
Alison Bechdel attributed the test to her friend Liz Wallace and hence the test is also known as the Bechdel-Wallace test. A work of fiction passes the test if it has:
1. At least two women
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something other than men
The Bechdel test has inspired other tests. Some examples:
Mako Mori test: a test about female characters having their own narrative arc, not just be there to support a man
Finkbeiner test: about the portrayal of women in science
Vito Russo test: about the portrayal of LGBTQ characters
Josephs test: about the portrayal of Orthodox Jews
Riz Test: about the portrayal of Muslim characters
USAGE:
“‘I’m saying if we are characters in a movie, television show, or book, we would fail that damn [Bechdel] test every time. Talk to me about something that isn’t centered around a man!’
‘My sister is pregnant, does that count?’ Felicity asks, frowning. ‘That’s amazing!’ I reply, enthusiastic. ‘See?’ ‘A man made her pregnant, though.’”
Andrea Rookes; A Month of Sundays; Stone Cairn Publishing; 2023.
Bechdel test
PRONUNCIATION:
(BEK-duhl test)
MEANING:
noun: A test of inclusion and representation of women in a work of fiction.
ETYMOLOGY:
After cartoonist Alison Bechdel (b. 1960), who described the concept in her comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For (1985). Earliest documented use of the term “Bechdel test”: 2005.
NOTES:
Alison Bechdel attributed the test to her friend Liz Wallace and hence the test is also known as the Bechdel-Wallace test. A work of fiction passes the test if it has:
1. At least two women
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something other than men
The Bechdel test has inspired other tests. Some examples:
Mako Mori test: a test about female characters having their own narrative arc, not just be there to support a man
Finkbeiner test: about the portrayal of women in science
Vito Russo test: about the portrayal of LGBTQ characters
Josephs test: about the portrayal of Orthodox Jews
Riz Test: about the portrayal of Muslim characters
USAGE:
“‘I’m saying if we are characters in a movie, television show, or book, we would fail that damn [Bechdel] test every time. Talk to me about something that isn’t centered around a man!’
‘My sister is pregnant, does that count?’ Felicity asks, frowning. ‘That’s amazing!’ I reply, enthusiastic. ‘See?’ ‘A man made her pregnant, though.’”
Andrea Rookes; A Month of Sundays; Stone Cairn Publishing; 2023.
Dec 12, 2023 12:53:04 #
cahale
Loc: San Angelo, TX
jerryc41 wrote:
I find this amusing - from Word-A-Day. br br i B... (show quote)
Some of my favored writers are women. So how about the "Hale Test" - is it readable. Nothing else really matters.
Dec 12, 2023 13:30:50 #
cahale wrote:
Some of my favored writers are women. So how about the "Hale Test" - is it readable. Nothing else really matters.
Some of my favorite people are women. Seriously. They tend to be nicer than men.
Dec 12, 2023 15:43:24 #
Dec 13, 2023 08:46:30 #
Dec 13, 2023 10:53:22 #
cahale
Loc: San Angelo, TX
sodapop wrote:
They are a lot prettier too
Are we allowed to say that in this PC/AI (actually incorrect) world?
Dec 13, 2023 11:54:38 #
The PBS show Astrid (Astrid et Raphaelle in France) passes the Bechdel test. My wife, my daughter and I love this show, even though it has subtitles.
Dec 13, 2023 15:16:34 #
cahale wrote:
Are we allowed to say that in this PC/AI (actually incorrect) world?
We better be, although truths are sometimes not allowed
Dec 13, 2023 16:56:00 #
cahale wrote:
Some of my favored writers are women. So how about the "Hale Test" - is it readable. Nothing else really matters.
I wish more women writers would have male readers for their novels. I sometimes listen to a book by a woman but when they use women readers their softer voices will put me to sleep. A good example is "The Gold Finch" by Donna Tartt. She had a male read the book and it kept me fully engaged. Also, some women writers are a little "girly" in some things they say like -- She looked longingly at the pink sneakers in her locker. You would never find a phrase like that in a novel written by a male. There are a few women whom I will listen to like Sue Grafton but there are a lot I can't listen to without falling asleep!
Dec 15, 2023 08:30:50 #
andesbill wrote:
The PBS show Astrid (Astrid et Raphaelle in France) passes the Bechdel test. My wife, my daughter and I love this show, even though it has subtitles.
https://www.pbs.org/show/astrid/
Dec 15, 2023 23:29:00 #
Dec 16, 2023 08:12:01 #
SteveR wrote:
Interesting that this came from the author the comic strip "Dykes to Watch."
He must be from Holland.
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