Does Moonraker (Novel) dispell any notion Bond Novels are misogynistic
perdogg
Posts: 432MI6 Agent
I am listening to the MR audiobook and it quite clear that Gala Brand is more than any sex object.
1. She is a policewoman. Capable of operating in the field. In Fact, Bond's initial reaction to her was different from his reaction to Vesper Lynd.
2. She is resourceful. She was able to get through the captivity of Drax and Krebbs with poise.
3. She is obviously capable of working in the scientific field and extremely adaptable.
1. She is a policewoman. Capable of operating in the field. In Fact, Bond's initial reaction to her was different from his reaction to Vesper Lynd.
2. She is resourceful. She was able to get through the captivity of Drax and Krebbs with poise.
3. She is obviously capable of working in the scientific field and extremely adaptable.
"And if I told you that I'm from the Ministry of Defence?" James Bond - The Property of a Lady
Comments
Yes they might need Bond's help, but they were all very modern women
for their time. It was the films that made them sex objects, and toning
down their independence, to make Bond more of a " Knight in shining armour" .
You have to remember that Kissy Suzuki became the sexual aggressor in YOLT. Had Bond done what Suzuki did, people would be calling for the novels to be banned.
Bond had lost his Memory though, so it was more of a Case of Kissy taking Advantage of him.
Fleming wrote a lot of his Women as strong Characters. Gala Brand, Tiffany Case, Pussy Galore, etc.
It might be more accurate to say that Bond's view of women changed pretty quickly. Remember that in Casino Royale Bond didn't want Vesper working with him and complained that women got in the way of work. Later when Vesper gets kidnapped, Bond goes into a rage and says women should just stay home. Now, this is partly irony on Fleming's part, because, far from being incompetent, Vesper has arranged her own kidnapping and made a fool of Bond.
The realization of that might account for why Bond has no objections to working with Gala, whose competence seems doubly assuring. It's a tribute to her character that she still seems up-to-date. Unfortunately, Fleming's best female characters have rarely been given their due by hostile critics and academics.