Chachula

Lauren Chachula
Prof. Beadle
English 115
15 October 2015
From Normal to Heroine
Through time we are progressively leaning towards a more equalized society on the basis
of gender expectations and what that term initially entails. In the comic Ms. Marvel by G.
Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona, the protagonist Kamala challenges this ideal when she
gains super powers and becomes a super hero, a character commonly represented by a male
figure. But, by becoming a super hero does that mean that Kamala is breaking the barrier of
female inferiority or just merely scratching the surface on trying to be seen as a strong woman?
This question can be argued in several ways but the one Id like to focus on is the idea that
Kamala is breaking the norm of female expectations by attaining super powers. This is due to the
fact that she is still seen as weak but proves those who view her as lesser based on her gender
wrong, the aspect that she is able to become the protector rather than the protected, that she
attacks the idea that women should not be seen as weak compared to men only when she has
her super powers, and that she breaks societies ideal woman focus. Thus, I agree that Kamala
does in fact transgress gender norms by attaining super powers.
In the comic, it is evident that Kamala is required to stay within a small box of female
expectation in order to be secure. This idea of women not being able to go out due to others fear
of them getting hurt, can be seen when Abu tells Kamala that Its not safe for a young girl to
be out late at night with strange boys (Wilson 4). In which Kamala replies that If [Kamala]
were a boy [Abu] would let [Kamala] got to the party (Wilson & Alphona 4). Abus remark

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brought up the point that women are viewed as too frail compared to men, thus women must be
safe and men can do whatever they want. Abu tends to have this reoccurring theme of trying to
keep Kamala submissive which can also be seen when Kamalas father exclaims [the
fathers] precious Kamala has suddenly become a reckless, disobedient girl [the father] barely
recognizes (Wilson & Alphona 37). By stating this the father is unintentionally showing that he
views women to be obedient and safe at all times. Although it might not have been his intention
one can view it as a strike on gender expectations and what he expects of women. By Kamala
gaining super powers she is not only able to protect herself but others as well rather than relying
on a strong protective male character to keep her out of harms way like the men in her family.
Such as on pages 28-31 where Kamala saves Zoe because the male character, being Josh, is
under the influence.
This same ideal that submissiveness starts in the family is visible in Hegemonic
Masculinity and Black Gender Ideology by Patricia Hill Collins when it is written that The
theme of female submissiveness also shapes private, domestic sphere activities of family and
community. (Collins 234). Female submissiveness starts in the family thus by the father
making that remark, he is adding to the societal issue of women being seen as weak and inferior
to the brute-ness of man. And the idea that women are suppose to act in that way in order to be
accepted. But, what if the roles were to be reversed?
Kamala is seen as starting to take on a role mostly portrayed as manly, being a
protector. It is common knowledge that when in a dangerous situation, the man or men are the
ones to be strong and protect a woman if need be. Even if the man is afraid himself, he must put
it aside because of not only societal expectation, but also the womens expectation of the man.
This can be seen on pages 28-31 when Kamala saves Zoe because the male character, being Josh,

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is under the influence and thus cannot perform the act himself. Kamala challenged this when she
says [Bruno] protect[ed] [Kamala] from stuff all the time but now [Kamala] is the stronger
one and [Kamala] is going to protect [Bruno] and that totally freaks [Bruno] out (Wilson &
Alphona 74). Kamala is aware of her new found strength and thus feels as though now it is her
turn to crawl from the lower part of the societal hierarchy to take the place of a man. This idea of
a man more accurately defined as being analytical, responsible, willing to exert authority, all
qualities that women seemingly lack (Collins 226). By gaining super powers Kamala feels
empowered and that now since she is strong enough to assume a mans role and protect anyone
who needs it, such as Bruno and her friends. By gaining super powers it is showing that men are
supposedly the ones with super powers not literally but figuratively and women are seen as
inferior or not capable of meeting that generalized male stature. Since Kamala gains super
powers she is able to be seen as capable of a mans duty that, without the super powers, she
would not be able to. She becomes stronger but just a strong woman.
Kamala becomes a stronger being but isnt viewed as such due to her gender. This is
seen when the inventor crosses Kamalas path and due to her physique and gender he sees her
as a less capable opponent but due to this misstep of societal expectation he is proven wrong to
assume and base his view off of societal categorization of gender roles. This can be seen when
Doyle states that theres no back exit bendy girl. The only way out of here is through me and
my kitties (Wilson & Alphona 95). By stating this, Doyle is nonchalantly stating that he simply
views Kamala as a bendy girl and his casual remark that they must fight makes a slight jab at
how that, since she is a girl, he views her as less competition compared to him. It is not unknown
that when a man and woman are put in a fighting situation, most expect the man to win due to
their strong physique, brutal tendencies, and violent behavior where as women are viewed as

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weak, fragile, and peaceful beings. Thus, due to this lens, it is a common misconception that
women are less likely to win due to unfair circumstance. This misconception is initially
brought up at a young age in children due to parental interactions. In from Women, Men, and
Society by Claire Renzetti and Daniel Curran it is stated that in a study, researchers found that
adults tended to respond to boys when they forced attention by being aggressive where
as similar attempts by girls were usually ignored (Renzetti & Curran 78). By reacting this way,
it creates a disconnect between the two genders by creating a gender expectation which both
Kamala, and Doyle portray in this scene. Kamala is seen as lesser due to being a girl and being
more gentle where as Doyle being a white male, views himself as better based on societies
perception of the two opponents and thus acts as though he is superior to Kamala. When it comes
to societies view on women, appearance plays a large role.
Likewise, Kamala attacks societies portrayal of what a beautiful woman is, being
[a] young wom[a]n, with milky white skin, long blonde hair, and slimed figures [which] were
deemed to be the most beautiful (Collins 232). On page 42 the male officer describes Ms.
Marvel as .. Tall, blonde, with the bigpowers (Wilson & Alphona 42). Thus emphasizing the
appeal in appearance of Ms. Marvel by drawing out the big aspect insinuating that he was
going to say something perhaps vulgar. Kamala breaks this ideal through time, one cant say
initially because on page 20 she is seen as just that, a tall, slim blonde. But, as the story
progresses, she abandons this alter ego and resembles herself rather then what society deems
acceptable. This is shown on page 50 where as instead of being seen as her usual tall blonde self,
she still looks like herself, meaning she still sports her normal brown hair, plumper figure and
shorter height as oppose to her shape-shifting blonde self. She also denies societies exploitation
of women by changing her once promiscuous costume to a more body covering outfit. As Collins

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states, femininity isfocused on womens bodies (Collins 232). Thus, it is only natural for
Kamalas initial costume to be more scandalous then most getups, which is seen on page 20
where she is wearing a skin-tight leotard, thigh high heeled boots, and a cape around her waist.
This outfit is viewed as risqu which is emphasized when Kamala encounters a homeless man
who tells her to put some pants on (Wilson & Alphona 34). Kamala changes her costume on
page 50 to a more suitable and rational fight-crime outfit where she has a fanny pack, leggings,
combat boots, long sleeve shirt and a dress. This new change is much more reasonable for
someone trying to fight wrong doers where as the other seemed irrational and ineffective.
Kamala herself states that the boots pinch and the leotard is giving [Kamala] an epic
wedgie (Wilson & Alphona 33). By achieving super powers Kamala transgresses societies idea
of a perfect woman where as, if she did not achieve them, she would most likely not have
intervened. Although, some may argue that Kamalas shape shifting into a tall, blonde, slim
woman in the beginning causes one to view her atonement of super powers to be more obedient
to society rather than transgressive, one can argue that due to her changing this image later on,
she does in-fact breach that gender expectation and perseveres beyond it.
Society has a tendency to reflect on others values by warping their perception and forcing
the idea that gender must act a certain way in order to be an accepted member in ones society
and community whether it be general, or racial. Most tend to turn a blind eye to this effect rather
than face it for what it is and challenge the ideas and reasoning behind certain gender
categorizations. These aspects can be seen in both from Women, Men, and Society by Claire
Renzetti and Daniel Curran and Hegemonic Masculinity and Black Gender Ideology by Patricia
Hill Collins. Moreover, in the comic Ms. Marvel, the protagonist Kamala Khan does this by
infringing upon general gender expectations through the gaining of super powers. She does so

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by proving those who view her as lesser based on her gender wrong, by becoming the protector
rather than the protected, by advancing the idea that women should not be viewed as inferior, and
by breaking societies ideal woman focus. It is not wrong to view Kamala Khans transgression
as exemplary and brave but, one must think, why do we live in a society where the only way to
bypass gender norms is to achieve something that, realistically is unachievable? We as a whole
must change our ethics on gender roles in order to progress past the close-mindedness that
plaques our lives. Kamala Khan in a fictional story was able to do so, so why not make that
fantasy, a reality?

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Works Cited
Collins, Patricia Hill. "Hegemonic Masculinity and Black Gender Ideology." Composing
Gender. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2014. 222-38. Print. Bedford Spotlight Reader Ser.

Renzetti, Claire. "From Women, Men and Society." Composing Gender. Ed. Daniel Curran.
Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2014. 76-83. Print. Bedford Spotlight Reader Ser. Wilson, G.

Willow, Adrian Alphona, Ian Herring, and Joe Caramagna. Ms. Marvel. Vol. 1. New York:
MARVEL WORLDWIDE, 2015. Print.