Women's Role In The Mighty

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In Arthurian times, around the 5th and 6th centuries, the men that were respected were knights in shining armor, riding around on their steeds performing acts of chivalry. When they returned home, it was the duty of the ladies to celebrate the men’s great deeds. In the film The Mighty, adapted from a novel by Rodman Philbrick, the two main characters, Max and Kevin, aspire to be like King Arthur and his knights, and while this philosophy is imperative in the aspect of doing good deeds, it is not ideal for the self-sufficiency of women. The female role in The Mighty is extremely downplayed, with the main influential characters being male and the females appearing weak and fragile in the little time they are allowed on camera and in the dialogue. …show more content…
In addition, the men do not make any attempt to treat the women with respect nor dignity. When Kevin, on Max’s shoulders, enters the diner, a rugged-looking man with a leather jacket is seen roughly handling a woman, trying to get something from her, as he keeps repeating, “It’s in the bag, isn’t it?” (Philbrick). There are many other people in the diner, all looking away and minding their own business or watching with curiosity, not disgust or shock, even while the small woman is shouting, “Stop, you’re hurting me!” (Philbrick). The only people to say anything or try to subdue the situation are Max and Kevin, tower over the man commanding, “Unhand her, knave,” and “Get your filthy hands off her!” (Philbrick). Even after the man stops attacking her and Max and Kevin are verbally accosting him, the woman stands by helplessly as if she cannot stand up for herself. She does not make any attempt at escape or reinforcement of Max and Kevin’s words. Later in the film, when Max and Kevin are performing their noble deeds, they return a stolen purse back to its owner, Loretta Lee. Upon hearing the knock on her apartment door, she is seen cracking the door, with the latch still on and a terrified look on her face. She drags the boys inside where her husband, Iggy, is seen. Iggy announces to everyone in the room that she is drunk, while it is daytime, making her appear extremely vulnerable and weak. In this scene, the power that Iggy has over his wife can also be seen. She tries to ask the boys different questions about themselves, but Iggy stops her. She learns their names and says to Iggy, “Kenny Kane’s boy. What did I tell you?” (Philbrick). To this, he immediately commands, “Shut up, Loretta” (Philbrick). When she continues to study Max, recognizing him more, Iggy shouts, “Get away from him,” and she quiets down (Philbrick).
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