Judith Butlers Representation of Gender Performativity theory implies three main idea:
1. The idea that identity is performatively constructed by "expressions" that are said to be its result (it is manufacture through a set of acts.
2. The idea that there is no gender identity behind the expressions of gender.
3.The idea that performativity is not a singular acts, but a repetition and a ritual.
I think that the point that is most evident throughout Zoella's Website, and her overall representation on her YouTube channel and social media platforms is the third idea, which is the idea that performativity is not a singular acts, but a repetition and a ritual. I think this idea is most evident, as throughout her website, she uses heavily constructs the representation of feminist and women. One way in which this is done, is the models and images used throughout the articles. In many of the articles that are centred around typically feminine interests, such as in the lifestyle page. On this page, the main image and the main article on this page is of a model who conforms to western beauty standards. This is constructed, as we see a white woman with long blonde hair. Furthermore, she also wears typically feminine clothing that also conforms to these hegemonic ideas, such as a short skirt and high heels. Moreover, this idea may also link to one of the ways in which women are represented throughout Zoella's website, being women as aspirational figures. This is reinforced by the title of the article "How to Recreate Matilda Djerf's Iconic Autumn/Winter Wardrobe". as it suggests that women should attempt to look like this, inferring that this is the ideal, and is what you should look like. This idea of aspirational figures is evident here, as she is a woman that other woman can aspire to look like. This idea links to Butler's theory, as when women are attempting to mirror the actions of other women, attempting to achieve a similar look to them, they are conforming to the gendered beauty standards set on women, and due to the large audience she has who may all be attempting top do this, this shows that it is not a singular act and many women will do this to achieve the "ideal". However, this may also links to Butler's pints about gender being a performance, as it implies that these women are following this dogma that has been reinforced by the media. In addition, this may also link to her second point that there is no gender identity behind these expressions of gender, as women in Zoella's page are adopting these expressions, and she is reinforcing them onto her audience.
Moreover, another idea of Butler's which may be present in Zoella's website is the shop sections. In these sections, we see items that are traditionally associated with femininity, such as candles, makeup items and also clothing, which is all things that women should be stereotypically interested in, conforming to consumerist ideas. This conforms to Butler's idea that identity is performatively constructed by the expressions that are said to be its result. This section reinforces Butler's ideas, as it implies that in order for a woman to be her best self and to improve, they must adopt these expressions of gender, and conform to these ideals of femininity. This is also reinforced in the beauty and lifestyle sections that tell women what they need,
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