In class, we watched Legally Blonde - a movie that follows Elle Wood’s journey of self-empowerment and self-discovery. Legally Blonde’s story line closely emulates Maureen Murdock’s version of the heroine’s journey template: an exploration and embracement of the symbolic feminine and masculine within. In this narrative archetype, the main character follows a path that leads herself through a transformation into a heroine through the lens of subverting divisive societal gender norms. In other words, as Dr. E likes to say: “The story of a girlboss”.
Initially Elle embodies a stereotypical version of femininity. She’s focused on traditional feminine interests like her appearance, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her social status. She exhibits the personality of the socially expected and understood feminine: ditzy, frivolous, and superficial. Her main goal in her life is to be the perfect girlfriend, and when she is abruptly heartbroken by Warner, who leaves her for this representation of femininity, Elle’s world view is shattered. Elle Wood symbolically sheds the feminine nature that she seemingly concludes is causing her distress and decides to follow Warner to law school, adopting a new masculine identity in a patriarchal society.
Elle finds allies within this unknown world that help her through academic and social challenges that law school presents. She faces constant ridicule and skepticism from her classmates and professors, judged for her appearances and perceived lack of intellect, and struggles to adapt to the intense academic rigor of Harvard law. Yet when Elle believes she has finally surpassed the trials sent her way and achieved total success by obtaining an internship, she is forced to return back to a cruel reality of sexism after realizing she only earned it through her Professor’s lust for her. This is the turning point to Elle Woods as the heroine. She realizes that her rejection of her feminine side was not the true solution, but neither is rejecting the new masculine part of herself she’s achieved. When Elle begins to integrate both seemingly contradictory aspects into her personality, healing the split between “sorority girl” and “lawyer”, Elle Woods reaches her true potential and power. She solves a case, helps a new friend out and graduates as a lawyer with her own law firm. Oh, and getting a fiance, too.
Legally Blonde, and further, Maureen Murdock’s representation of the heroine’s journey tells the story of someone allowing themself to grow strong within. The story of someone who doesn’t need to reject their true self in order to reach their goals. The story of someone who is allowed to embrace all parts of their identity. Truly, the heroine’s journey in Murdock’s eyes is a representation of finding yourself through change. Changing isn’t a dismissal of your old self - it’s loving the old while nurturing the new in a fantastic combination.
