The "Duets" episode of Glee as compared to the "Wally's Girl" episode of Leave it to Beaver demonstrates society's perpectives on homosexuality have become slightly more accepting over time, but still demonstrate the homophobic tendencies that continue to exist.
The "Wally's Girl" episode of Leave it to Beaver, released in 1957, hints at homosexuality, but never explicitly reveals the homosexuality of Wally because it was a taboo topic at the time. Throughout this episode of Leave it to Beaver, Wally is trying to convince Eddie and his family that he has a girlfriend to try and represent a macho personality. The only problem with this is that he almost seems to be trying too hard. For instance, when he convinces Eddie to go with him to his "girl's" house, they are welcomed inside, and even though she does not know who he is and she clearly is more interested in Eddie, Wally continues to claim that she is his "girl." Wally's consistent bragging and insistence that he has a girlfriend shows that he is trying to hard to be a man, like he is trying to hide something. This is the closest there is to homosexuality being presented in an older television show because of its taboo nature. Although it could be argued that Wally was just acting like a young boy of the time, it seems to hint more towards homosexuality with the young boy argument as a cover up so as to not cause any uproars amongst the viewers. If a show like the "Duets" episode of Glee was shown during the same time period, even though it still encounters many of the same taboo ideas against homosexuality, it would have been extremely unacceptable to have a character like Kurt who is open about his feminine characteristics and feelings towards men.
If Leave it to Beaver were to be rewritten today, Wally would most likely be presented as a more Kirk-like character. Even though in today's times many people still look down upon homosexuality, it is more prevelant in television shows and tends to add more drama to the show. Today's version of Wally would most likely have similar actions in the beginning, attempting to act manly to hide his real feelings, but as the show would continue and he got older, he would eventually stop trying to hide his true feelings and begin expressing them. This would cause similar responses from Wally's friend Eddie and his family as characters from Glee like Finn react when Kurt tries to flirt with or even work with other men. Despite the general acceptance for Kurt's homosexuality, the general society still slightly looks down upon him or worries about how others, especially straight males, would react. This would be the same in Wally's case because Eddie seems as though he is a friend that would not completely ditch Wally because of his sexual orientation, but he would still be cautious around him, not really knowing what to think or how to act to avoid any sexual feelings directed at him by his best friend. This reaction, just like those in Glee when Kurt wants to work with Sam, is a reflection of how the majority of the straight population tends to view the gay population today. This demonstrates how our society has changed and become more accepting, but still continues to have slightly homophobic tendencies.
Great analysis!
ReplyDeleteI also used Wally's Girl as my secondary text, and I said the same thing about HINTS regarding homosexuality. You may want to add something about the frail and feminine physiology of Wally. He looks very feminine next to his friend Eddie...not specifically the way he acts, but the lines of his face are very fine compared to Eddie's, which are buffer.
I like what you said about incorporating drama in a show by including homosexual characters. You could add that homosexuality is a word that somewhat draws everybody's attention because of the controversy around it. And because it is a very interesting subject as well.
You coul also say that society's perception of homosexuality has evolved, and homosexuals themselves have evolved. Wally is ashamed of having feelings for men...why else would he try to conceal it by claiming that he has "a girl"? Whereas in Glee, the characters speak openly of their homosexual tendencies, some may even be proud of it.
Just some things to beef up you essay! :)
Hi Ricci! I commented on your peers' posts about their essays, but since you and I already corresponded via email, I'll assume you're doing well in your drafting process. Let me know if you need any help!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your comparison of the 2 texts. I would have never thought about Wally as having homosexual tendencies until you pointed it out. It definitely makes sense though, how he tries to convince everyone that he has a girlfriend and even going as far as going over to the girls house. I think something you could add to the essay would be to directly compare Wally and Kurt. You could talk about how back in Wally's time homosexuals would have to hide their sexuality. And then you could describe how Kurt is more flamboyant about it. He dresses more feminine and pays attention to how he looks. He is also much more open about it where as Wally tried to hide it and cover up his sexuality by pretending like he had a girl. Your comparison is great and I'm sure you will come up with much more to add!
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