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

The New Woman

XENA HAS BEEN DESCRIBED as a "babe who kicks butt". Her outfit is comprised of boots, leather and breastplate, packing cleavage and thigh in suitable warrior attire. Her blue eyes, white teeth and blue-black hair are more 'princess' than 'warrior', not unlike Wonder Woman . . . but scarier.

Through the various waves of feminism beginning with the Suffragettes, women have attempted to break through the barriers of social forces in the search for identity and mastery in a world that was once purely defined and organised by men. From the '70s onward we have even been faced with the entrance into society of an unashamed female sexuality that is assertive, self-contained and doesn't rely on men or culturally feminine imagery to give it identity and value.
For many reasons this portrayal of womanhood is still seen as not quite complete, and in many circles still quite deviant. It can be suggested that Xena embodies the essence of such a female and she is in touch with her soft side 'to boot'. One could even say Xena's angry violent past is an analogy of angry feminism that had its place in history but is now seeking integration with other aspects of femaleness.

Australian writer Richard Neville has identified Xena as "just a big, brassy, pseudo-Greek legend waylaying everything in her path, especially men".

It has been pointed out that in Xena we see that the traditional male lead role of a warrior, symbolising the essence of masculinity, represented by a woman. Xena's outward appearance is one part harem girl (feminine) and one part warrior (masculine). Her clothing highlights her femininity while at the same time 'shielding' it. Her sword, a masculine image of strength and power, which could be seen as a phallic symbol, is worn on her back or her side. Her chakram, a circular metal disk with a razor sharp edge which can slice through steel as well as flesh when thrown, is worn on her hip. Its circular shape is symbolic of the female gender and it is her ultimate weapon and source of strength.

Dixie Harrison, 38-year-old mother of five, grandmother of three and webmaster of Xena Online Resources shows the influence Xena as the 'new woman' can have on personal lives:

I was brought up in the tradition of bowing to certain inevitabilities-as a female, my job was compliance, cooperation and peacemaking. Any outward signs of resistance or feelings of rebellion were unacceptable . . . Xena is Xena and does what she thinks needs to be done . . . But she has her hidden weak points too-she is not infallible. She carries much pain with her . . . she's just a woman-with all the fears, fallacies and pains of a woman-who strides the world boldly as a person.

As a woman who does battle with warlords, monsters, gods and mortals, she is one hell of a role model. Neville points out that Xena "overturns the last impediment to a world of total equality", and Xena's 'wish-fulfilment function' can be seen very clearly when reviewing her physical abilities: combat and warfare skills; agility, acrobatics and martial arts. Smart, fearless and heroic, she always tries to solve things peacefully; but once committed to a course of action, she is unrelenting.

To: ThePower of Friendship

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