Announcing the Final Examination of Mrs. Amber R. Grissom for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology.
Date: April 25th, 2019
Time: 3:30 pm
Room: HPH 409A
Thesis title: “The Wonder Women: Understanding Gender in Cosplay Performance.”
Feminism conjures divisive and at times conflicting thoughts and feelings in the current political climate in the United States. For some, Wonder Woman is a feminist icon, for her devotion to truth, justice, and equality. In recent years, Wonder Woman has become successful in the film industry, and this is reflected by the growing community of cosplayers in the comic book conventions. In this study, I examine gender performativity, gender identity, and feminism from the perspective of cosplayers of Wonder Woman. I collected ethnographic data using participant observation and semi-structured interviews with cosplayers at comic book conventions in Florida, Georgia, and Washington, about their experiences in their Wonder Woman costumes. I found that many cosplayers identified with Wonder Woman both in their own personalities and as a feminist icon, and many view Wonder Woman as a larger role model to all people, not just women and girls. The narratives in this study also show cosplay as a form of escapism. Finally, I found that Wonder Woman empowers cosplayers at the individual level but can be envisioned as a force at a wider social level. I conclude that Wonder Woman is an important and iconic figure for understanding the dynamics of culture in the United States. In the era of #MeToo and TimesUp, Wonder Woman is a character that defies normative boundaries of gendered expectations.
Outline of Studies:
Anthropology, M.A.
Gender Studies Graduate Certificate
Educational Career:
B.A., 2015, Anthropology (Honors in the Major), University of Central Florida
B.A., 2015, History, University of Central Florida
Committee in Charge:
Dr. Joanna Mishtal
Dr. Shana Harris
Dr. Beatriz Reyes-Foster
Dr. Nessette Falu
Kristina Tollefson, M.F.A.
Approved for distribution by Dr. Joanna Mishtal, Committee Chair, on April 12th, 2019.
The public is welcome to attend.
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