GENDER REPRESENTATION AND FEMINIST DISCOURSE IN THE FILMS BARBIE (2023) AND WONDER WOMAN (2017): A STUART HALL REPRESENTATION ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT Media is not just a mirror reflecting the society but it also acts as an agent in producing the meanings. This study’s primary objective is to analyze how gender representation and feminist discourse are constructed in Barbie and Wonder Woman using Stuart Hall’s representation theory. This study aims is to illuminate nuanced interplay between media, culture, and ideology. This study employs a qualitative research approach to analyze the representation of gender and feminist discourse in Barbie and Wonder Woman. The subjects of this study are the films Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, and Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins. Data were collected through a combination of textual analysis and document analysis. Data analysis followed a thematic coding approach, guided by Hall’s representation theory. The findings shows using Stuart Hall’s constructionist approach to representation, both films encode and decode gender representations, power dynamics, and feminist discourse. Using Stuart Hall's representation theory, the study reveals that both films challenge traditional gender norms by encoding and decoding gender roles, power dynamics, and feminist ideals. Both films contribute to reshaping gender portrayals in mainstream media, promoting empowerment, and advancing discussions on gender equality, illustrating the ongoing influence of feminist media representations. Keywords: Gender; Representation; Feminist; Discourse; Film