Princess Leia: Feminist Icon?

In a galaxy far, far away there was the creation of one of the most well known trilogies in the cinema world. Star Wars has become more than just movies, it has been transformed into a lifestyle, a franchise, an important piece of American culture.

It is easy to connect that the Empire could be the symbol of the manifestation of patriarchy, even in a galaxy far, far away. The Empire is severely male dominated, in the series you would be hard pressed to find one female leader or storm trooper on the dark side. However, within the Rebel Alliance you see many side female characters throughout the movie series. And of course, the woman with the highest political power: Princess Leia. She is independent, intelligent, driven and naturally, a leader.

And like so many movies that include a male dominate cast with the exception of one female to play the romantic interest, here is a female character that defies those connotations and rises above it to become one of the most admired female characters in cinematic history.

What about the gold bikini? What about Han Solo?

Both these instances are used as an argument against the idea of Princess Leia being a feminist icon. Well, what about the gold bikini? It is easy to see how this scene in Return of the Jedi turned her into a sex symbol within a fandom universe. However, sex symbol or not, she manages to slay Jabba the Hutt and help Luke destroy the Sail Barge within the same scene. Not only that, she was the one that started the entire rescue of Han Solo, coming to the aid of her ally and her true love. So what if she looked sexy while doing it? And since when does being sexy make you unfeminist? I think the true vision of feminism includes that women can dress how they want and it should not reflect on their abilities, their character or their accomplishments. As well, considering this was deemed the 'slave girl' outfit, she was forced to wear by Jabba the Hutt, this was not a wardrobe choice of her own free will. But regardless, you go girl, help save the day and look damn good doing it.

What about Han Solo, indeed. Many feminist critiques would say that when the romance became evident between the two characters, she was losing touch from the strong icon and merging into merely the weak romantic interest. Well, this could not be more wrong. Not once after the beginning of their romance in Empire Strikes Back does she appear weaker because of it. She is a human, like any other male or female, that is capable of feeling love. She does not become a wilting flower, dependent on her man's needs. She continues to fight against the Empire right to the end, until the final victory at the conclusion of Return of the Jedi.

Princess Leia, feminist icon? Hell yes. For children that grew up watching Star Wars, to those that continue to watch Star Wars to this day; it is evident that the strength and drive of her character is a force to be reckoned with. And for myself, growing up with the trilogy, watching them day after day, Princess Leia was a role model, an example and most definitely, an icon.