TOW #14-The Last Amazon by Jill Lepore (Written)

The Last Amazon by Jill Lepore is an article on The New Yorker's website. It is a critique on D.C.'s usage of the character Wonder Woman, and how she could be so much more than the studio is letting her be. It highlights the feminist issues of women that are as amazing and can kick as much butt and men getting sidelined to let the men (read: Superman and Batman) have their “epic duels”. Lepore uses a lot of rhetoric in her article, one of the most effective is her look back into history, at where Wonder Woman originated. She even goes to the max as to find the son of two feminists who evolved Wonder Woman to see what he thought. She also quotes experts on Wonder Woman, and how the figure has evolved.

Another thing Lepore does is use comparisons really well to highlight her point. For example, she points out Captain America vs Wonder Woman, and who would be easier to age up to modern times (Wonder Woman, of course). She also uses the movie in which Wonder Woman played by Gage Gadot will be in, Superman vs. Batman, as a jumping point for the injustice done to Wonder Woman. For example, she uses another critic's example of an alternate title for the movie, “Batman vs. Superman with also some Wonder Woman in there so sit down ladies we're treating you fine: The Movie”. This also showcases a slightly underrated part of Lepore's article, the humor and sarcasm aspect. Lepore also quotes many wall known feminists, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Max Eastman, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Lepore ends with the call to attention of how much has still to change. “She'd have to take stock, and what could she say about what women have got? Brest bumps and fetal rights instead of paid maternity leave and equal rights? Longer hours instead of equal pay?”