Womens Suffragist: who is and who isn't?

The connotation, emotional response or association, with a word sometimes can hold greater meaning to it than the actual definition itself. Comparing both Iron Jawed Angels and Mary Poppins it is easy to see how many different reactions the word suffragist can evoke. In Mary Poppins the women’s suffragist is Mrs. Banks, a wife and mother to the Banks children. In this movie’s representation, the word suffragist is seen in a comedic light almost to the point of satire. Mrs. Banks is a strong supporter of the movement but is portrayed at times as aloof and nonsensical. In Iron Jawed Angels the word suffragist has two kinds of connotations: one being the connotative feelings of the characters in the movie based on the society of the time, and the connotative feelings the movie itself is arising to its audience. The society that Paul and Burns, the main characters of the movie based on real life activists, face is strikingly antagonistic to their cause and holds the word suffragist in the same manner we would hold some racial epithets today. The movie however, is clear in the positive reinforcement of the word to its audience, who are the protagonists. While both main characters are active suffragists, the extent and manner that they remain active are completely different. Alice Paul dedicates her life to the cause, which leads her inevitably, to most of the challenges she faces. Mrs. Banks on the other hand, is active in rallies and marches of the sort in her best wear. She speaks to others about the wonderful women who head up the rallies and get arrested, but ultimately remains free and goes home to her wealthy estate unwilling to sacrifice as much as her admired leaders. Although, a whimsical portrayal of a woman suffragist, I do believe Mrs. Banks was an accurate portrayal of one type of woman suffragist. While Paul reflects the serious and painful side of the struggle, Mrs. Banks represents the women who didn’t sacrifice anything for the movement but stood ready to accept the benefits. Like the women that oppose Paul as a “radical” in the National American Woman Suffrage Association, Mrs. Banks would rather been SEEN at the rallies than actually fight for what she hopes they will produce. Mrs. Banks also portrays female stereotypes of the time by being obviously concerned with her appearance and set on the singing and marching aspect of the movement rather than the less appealing parts. Alice Paul on the other hand struggles through the stereotypes of the day to prove herself as a serious suffragist, and overall human being. Male relationships to the women suffragist are both relatively avoided. Alice has a positive relationship in the beginning of the movie but is cut short due to her commitment. Most other males in the film are in oppressive roles, where as in Mary Poppins, her husband is shown as neglectful rather than oppressive. I believe both women are suffragists, in the aspect of supporting women’s rights and remain so throughout the movie, although Mrs. Banks does want to spend more time with her children doesn’t mean she still doesn’t support the cause. Society connotatively alters words according to the climate of the time. Women suffragist could be compared to any other civil rights movement of the time and we are lucky to be standing on their shoulders today.