Xena's Feminine Mystique
by Marion Williams
Zadok Perspectives Issue No. 63
Autumn 1999

Xena as 'Wish Fulfilment'

IN ATTEMPTING TO PONDER the phenomenon of Xena-mania it is vital that we understand academic theories of viewing motivation. In reviewing the literature on the psychology of television consumption, most propose that a fantasy world is created to meet the conscious and unconscious psychological and emotional needs of the viewer. The material plays a 'wish fulfilment' function.

As academic Tannenbaum has observed, television programs are "a series of packaged fantasies". Adler, likewise suggests television is a "vivid projection of our collective subconscious through which powerful messages are translated into an acceptable code for presentation . . . it is a process of disguising societal needs and wishes".

While psycho-dynamic theories are out of vogue, the phenomenon of Xena-mania lends itself well to their scrutiny. We may deny that base impulses of anger, fear and desire influence our choice of television programs, but we can be sure Hollywood knows the score and will be doing its best to exploit these emotions.

If we find it hard to accept that we are glued to Xena because our primal instincts are stirred, it may be easier to look at the psychological process of 'identification' to explain our fascination with her.
Burton and Whiting proposed a status-envy hypothesis which holds that a character has traits the viewer desires and this evokes envy of coveted resources. It does not require a psychology degree to work out why people would want to identify with Xena, or her side-kick Gabrielle, for that matter. (More about this later.)

Some 'coveted' characteristics found to be important for TV star 'idolatry' are physical attractiveness, sexually suggestive behaviour, romance, prestige and power. Sound familiar? All these qualities, of course, need to be couched in a continuing narrative and moulded by the complexity of filming and editing devices to complete the identification process. Implicit also in this theory is the notion that the process of identification requires the psyche to be a fertile ground of deprivation or alienation from which this envy of a hero grows.

In light of these theories we can look at the construction of Xena's character, her journey and her relationship with Gabrielle. The world is gossiping about the gay 'subtext' of the latter which is nothing new, but it reveals a new boldness in television that is unprecedented, especially for a children's program.

To: The new woman

Marion Williams Marion Williams is a counsellor specialising in sexuality and gender, and director of Women's Ministries at Exodus, South Melbourne. She wishes to thank Xena-fan, Dr. Louise MacIntosh, for her kind input into this article. e-mail: Maz_Williams@iname.com