Rebellious Women in Men's Dystopia: Katniss and Furiosa

Abstract

Dystopian fiction serves as a premonition against possible future perils of humanity. Its popularity is largely attributed to its overdose of action and commercial success which explains the high number of film adaptations in Hollywood. However, the genre is commonly acclaimed to be dominated by men whereas women usually exist as vague, trivial personalities. The Hunger Games and Mad Max are two major film productions (the former adapted from novel) which have subverted this general understanding and turned the notion of the male hero upside-down by creating the rebellious heroine. Katniss and Furiosa are perfect illustrations of determined, powerful women whom rebel against the patriarchal order in the hegemonic, male dystopia. This study places Katniss and Furiosa in spotlight and analyses both movies from an ecofeminist perspective which maintains a special bond between women and nature. This essay thus aims to reveal environmental issues in relationship with the female protagonists