Feminism in Sons of Anarchy

One of my current favorite shows is Sons of Anarchy. Ever since the Sopranos left, everyone had been searching for a show that let us know that it is good to be bad. Sons of Anarchy has the ability to be that show with a twist. The show is about a small town in California that is the home to the motorcycle club known as SAMCRO.

The club serves as gunrunners for the different gangs in the area. Their clubs unique culture seems to be the dominant hegemony of the town, regardless of how much the local law enforcers push for that to change. So there are some obvious similarities to the Sopranos. The audience find themselves rooting for the criminals to succeed, and both groups (Sopranos and SAMCRO) have their own culture and family traditions that they follow.

The one difference between the two shows is the role that women play. On the Sopranos, most of the women are seen as objects by the male characters and their primary goals tend to be materialistically influenced. The women on Sons of Anarchy are at times treated as objects, but certain female characters are the most authoritative on the show. One of these characters, named Gemma, is the mother of vice president of the club and the wife of the president of the club. For the most part, Gemma stays out of club affairs and does not attend their meetings. She does keep her finger on the pulse of the club’s major business, and provides subtle input. Like they said in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, “The men and the head of the house, but the women are the neck, and they can turn the head any direction they want.”

The villains on the show even recognize the power of the clubs queen. In season 2, the clubs competition captures Gemma to beat and rape her. Their hope is that she will run and tell the club, so that they will respond violently. Gemma realizes this, and chooses to keep the incident a secret until the time is right. Through out the 2nd season, she showcases so much leadership and you see how often the club members will turn to her for guidance.

Sons of Anarchy provides great examples of feminism, because the hegemony is being countered. SAMCRO counters the hegemony by trumping the local law enforcement and government officials, and Gemma counters the hegemony by being the behind the scenes leader of a predominantly masculine club.