An Analysis of Female’s Changing Archetype in a Family—Review on Kramer vs. Kramer and The Bridges of Madison County

Abstract

This paper is exploring the female’s roles in a family by making a comparison and contrast between the two women in movies Kramer vs. Kramer and The Bridges of Madison County. Their fates mirror the beliefs of the times and their dilemmas can explain where the women’s position is in the society. Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County chooses to retreat to her family and conceal her love when she is confronted with the conflicts of family responsibilities and her personal expectations and her decision has satisfied everybody. While Joanna in Kramer vs. Kramer makes a quite different choice. Joanna gets away from the suffocating family life and succeeds in being what she wants to be. The two women’s destinies are the epitome of their ages. Undoubtedly, with the rise of women’s movement, women’s role is changing so drastically that it’s necessary to reshape the women’s image in both family and society.