"Rory Gilmore and Faux Feminism: An Ivy League Education and Intellectual Banter Does Not a Feminist Make" (Molly McCaffrey)

Notes:
Lorelai embodies the values of a third-wave feminist: a feminine feminist
Rory represents a dangerous "faux feminism" because her "Romantic relationships are marked by dysfunction and inequality, her life decisions are often shaped by patriarchal influences, and her lifestyle becomes more and more dependent upon money and privilege. In this way Rory represents the many women today who claim to be feminist but actually exhibit qualities that are in opposition to feminist ideals, making one wonder if, as feminist scholar Toril Moi asserts, feminism today really is 'languishing'" (36).
Apparently Rory is the ultimate "woman in waiting", she acts like a "kept mistress" to Logan
According to McCaffrey, because Rory never initiates nor ends relationships she has no real sense of agency... obviously this fails to account for EVERY OTHER decision that she actively makes in her life that have nothing to do with men... am I to believe here that it is only her relationship to men which can grant her or deprive her of agency?

Response:

To be frank, I found this essay both offensive in content and appalling in form... I don't remember the last time I had such a visceral reaction to an "academic" piece of writing (I use the term loosely). First of all the author makes sweeping statements that are based upon unfounded claims and short-sighted thoughts and second, her approach seems frighteningly limited. According to McCaffrey, Rory is a "faux feminist" in that she consistently defines herself by the traditional standards of patriarchy... she makes the claim that because Rory defines herself in terms of her romantic relationships, she is an anti-feminist. Ironically, the author falls into the same trap that she accuses Rory of... the entirety of the essay details Rory's romantic relationships. Thus, the author (a self-declared feminist on at least every other page) likewise insists upon limiting Rory to the same patriarchal standards she is judging her for adhering to. Her analysis of Rory's wardrobe proved equally absurd- apparently there exists a link between "fashion forward" females and a willingness to submit to oppression. The only thing that seems as trite then, is an analysis, done by a feminist with a capital F, of a filmic text in which fashion and sex are apparently the only grounds upon which to examine a female character...