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bell hooks - Prime Suspect
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Drama: Prime Suspect QUESTION: How does ‘Prime Suspect’ reflect the representation of gender in the 1990s? (bell hooks)
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How does ‘Prime Suspect’ reflect the representation of gender in the 1990s? (bellhooks)
INTRODUCTION:
Theorist and Scholar bell hooks states that, ‘simply put, feminism is a movement to end
sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression…’ In the 1990s was when the feminist
movements resurged with many women advocating for issues such as equal rights,
discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is evident that ‘Prime Suspect’ very much
supports this movement and reflects the struggles of women in the workplace.
POINT 1: Jane Tennison as Strong Female Lead
‘Prime Suspect’ demonstrates Jane Tennison’s character as courageous by asking the
Superintendent Kernan if she could take over the case, considering that she was fully
qualified, and yet was not the first option because she was a woman. In the 1990s, despite
the increase of females in professional roles, there were still significant barriers to their
advancement such as the ‘glass ceiling’. ‘Prime Suspect’ clearly reflects the struggles of
women attempting to advance higher in their careers, and this is further supported by
Superintendent Kernan’s dismissive response, that it is ‘not the time to thrust your women's
rights’ down his ‘throat’. However, Jane Tennison’s courageous action proves herself as an
equally competent detective as her male colleagues. bell hooks explains that ‘feminist
politics aims to end domination to free us to be who we are’. Jane fulfils this by challenging
the established order. This therefore reflects the strong determination that women in the
1990s had as they fought for their equal rights.
POINT 2: Male Characters as Opposing Feminism
During the third wave feminism, the 1990s, there were many men who were actively
resistant to feminism and its ideas, often viewing it as a threat to their own privilege and
power. This is clearly evident in Bill Otley’s character, in which he frequently challenges and
undermines DCI Jane Tennison: having accused her of destroying John’s (Shefford)
reputation’; insulting her with ‘tart’ and ‘slit-assed tart’; and even aimed to sabotage her role
for not accurately portraying information on George Marlow’s car. ‘Prime Suspect’ illustrates
Bill Otley’s character as a representation of toxic masculinity, which commonly surged during
the 1990s. He completely disregard’s Jane’s profession with misogynistic comments. bell
hooks states that ‘we all knew firsthand that we had been socialized as females by
patriarchal thinking to see ourselves as inferior to men’. Bill Otley’s character strongly
conforms to this as he is shown to have patriarchal thinking, and sees Jane as the product of
this thinking.
POINT 3: Jane Tennison as Equal to Man
However, Jane Tennison continues to defy this thinking by taking on traditionally masculine
traits such as smoking and drinking. She is also shown to be dominant in her interactions
with her male colleagues, offering to treat them to drinks and asserting her authority as a
detective. Whilst Britain was still grappling gender stereotypes and social expectations
during the 1990s, women who wished to assert their dominance in male-dominated fields
frequently adopted masculine attributes and behaviours. ‘Prime Suspect’ reflects women’s
attempts in challenging female stereotypes in that they should be demure and gentle in their
interactions.
POINT 4: Jane Tennison’s Weakness with Smoking
It is important to know that whilst this may seem like advantageous, throughout the series,
Jane Tennison is frequently seen smoking when she is feeling anxious. It is her coping
mechanism in dealing with sexism in the workforce, and the frequency of seeing her smoke
proves to audiences the true hardships that women face.
POINT 5: Jane Tennison giving up on Family
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