Gracie Hart in the movie “Miss Congeniality” is a female character portrayed as being entirely masculine according to her characteristics from the Bem Sex Role Inventory. As stated by the men on her police squad, Gracie is “practically a dude”. She eats sloppily, doesn’t brush her hair, and wears “manly shoes”. She is an aggressive person. When Gracie messes up a case, she goes home and kicks around the boxes and clothes in her room and releases anger by hitting a punching bag. This use of the punching bag is one instance throughout the film that displays Gracie’s athleticism. While arguing with Officer Eric Matthews about whether or not she should go under cover at the Miss USA pageant, Gracie resorts to physically wrestling Matthews. Onlookers place bets on who will win the fight, stating that Gracie should not be underestimated because “she’s got a lot of rage”.
According to Gracie’s pageant coach, Victor Melling, her only positive traits are sarcasm and a sense of humor – two mechanisms she has developed in order to keep people from getting close to her. She is a self reliant, individualistic person who has been alone for years because she “prefers it that way”.
Shared by: Riley Schwahn
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