Now that we’re back from vacation, I’m taking another week off from writing to catch up on my reader. So I’ve selected five posts from the archives using a sophisticated random selection system based on The Price is Right rules of play (or something like that). Here is the third oldie-but-goodie-but-now-I-think-everything-I-wrote-back-then-sucked-why-did-I-decide-to-commit-to-posting-every-day-this-summer-again?…Enjoy!
Sexism on the Railroad
originally posted March 18, 2009
I had a bit of a break from Thomas and Friends when Oliver turned two and decided that the locomotive characters were “scary.” We never did solve the mystery of how Thomas became frightening, but I assumed it had something to do with their freaky, human faces and rapid mood swings. One minute they’re happy – the next minute they’re crashing into mountains. It makes for very stressful viewing if you ask me…
Just recently, Oliver has gotten over his engine-related phobia, and Thomas has made a comeback in the Hood family DVD player. Chris and I are once again subjected to their little railroad dramas.
Not surprisingly, we’ve found ourselves enjoying some of the old Thomas-related jokes that made us laugh two years ago (this is a well known parental defense mechanism when it comes to annoying children’s programming: we learn to like it, as in, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em“).
My favorite of these involves the only female train, Emily:
According to Wikipedia, Emily is a Stirling 4-2-2 engine used for high speed express. She is painted dark green, and has large “driving wheels” that I assume have something to do with making her a fast train.
In one particularly gripping episode, Thomas and his friends hear that the Railway Inspector will be coming to see all of the engines and award a prize for the finest one.
Sweet little Thomas and Percy, both steam engines (or “steamies” as they are often called), exclaim over how wonderful it would be to win.
Thomas
Percy
Gordon says that “of course” an Express Engine will win.
Emily is quite confident that an engine with “big wheels” is the obvious choice.
And that upstart James thinks that his red paint gives him an edge.
And what kind of message does this send to our tiny home viewers? That girls need to rely on their “assets” to get what they want? Thomas and Percy plan to just clean up well because “a really useful engine can look as grand as any engine.” Big he-man Gordon claims superiority based on his status as the strongest of the trains. And James…well, James also relies on his looks… But then again, I always suspected that James might be gay, so he doesn’t count.
Right. So with the exception of gay James, all of the male engines plan to win based on their overall merit. While the one female engine thinks that her larger than normal wheels will mesmerize the Railway Inspector enough to win her a blue ribbon.
It’s sad. And typical. And ultimately, just another case of a fast girl relying on her big wheels to get ahead.
Wow, this is funny, Kate. I used to be a nanny and was subjected to some pretty boring programs and this was one of them. You are always insightful with a humorous spin….love it!
This is one of my favorites of yours!!
Glad you are enjoying your break! Love this post, hadn't seen it before!
I remember this post and I like it just as much reading it again!
Yes, what annechovie said. You are always insightful with a humorous spin. I remember this post, and remember thinking "she is so smart." As in writing-smart. And life-smart. :)