Fascism and Patriarchy: Barbie’s Philosophical World
Sunday October 20 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Start time where you are: Your time zone couldn't be detected
Want to better appreciate Greta Gerwig’s highbrow screenwriting, or been wanting to read some philosophy but need a bubblegum pink excuse? Join philosopher Ryan Miller for eleven weeks as we read and discuss classic philosophical texts in conjunction with brief scenes from Barbie.
She thinks I’m a fascist? I don’t control the railways or the flow of commerce.
We just explained to them the immaculate, impeccable seamless garment of logic that is patriarchy.
Barbie is taken aback when Sasha calls her a fascist for her role in perpetuating patriarchy. According to her director’s commentary, Gerwig actually had to fight to keep this line in the movie, as a highbrow joke without an obvious connection to the main plot. When we read chapters 1 & 6 of Yale professor Jason Stanley’s How Fascism Works, however, we will see that it has a long connection with patriarchy.
- What is the relationship between the material and ideological aspects of fascism?
- How does fascism make use of patriarchy?
- How does patriarchy lend itself to fascism?
- What would Aristotle say about the relationship between the two?
Before the session, please check out the following:
- Pages 33-49 of the Barbie screenplay and/or this clip of Barbie reacting to Sasha's fascism accusation
- pages 50-57 of the Barbie screenplay and/or this clip of Ken explaining patriarchy
- Jason Stanley's How Fascism Works, chapters 1 and 6 (sorry, no free version this time)
