As for an “about” section, you can find it under the banner on the home page. I document there the reasons for why I started this blog.

In my own life, I came to feminism thusly — I grew up in a feminist-friendly household and had some empowered girlfriends. I began cultivating my beliefs during college, specifically by getting involved in a university feminist organization and having my own college radio show. From there, I got a master’s degree in media studies and kept developing as a feminist and scholar alongside a rad group of people, many of whom are also feminists. I’m hoping to get into a PhD program in the not-too-distant future, but am enjoying the time off for the moment.

Thanks for reading!

I’m glad I asked you this question because your response got me thinking about my definition of intelligence. When I say Quinn and Brittney are as smart as Daria, I was mainly talking about awareness. I think both Quinn and Brittney know the social order of Lawndale High, and they active choose what category they want to be associated with.

Although, your response broaden my definition of intelligence. You’re right! Consistently keeping up with the latest trends and maintaining their social status requires extensive research and analysis. However, I also believe Daria is capable of gaining the image of Lawndale’s standard of femininity if she put effort into doing so. Actually, her social status, “the brain,” is just as superficial as Quinn and Brittney’s social status. The episode titled “Quinn the Brain” proves this point. In this episode, Quinn gets one “A” on her essay, and all of a sudden she has the same label as her sister.

About your Third-wave feminist comment…Quinn participates in each of those events that you have listed. Brittney never abandons her feminine persona though. I think this is due to Brittney’s family background. Brittney isn’t as fortunate as Quinn because Quinn has her sister and even her mother to test out different aspects of her intelligence (personality too).

I looked up some quick facts on Third-wave feminism, and the information I found provided a broad description of this movement. Third-wave feminism seems to include everyone. It makes me wonder if this is the final form of feminism for human-kind.
Whoa! I wrote too much. Anyway, I enjoyed reading your blog and your opinions on female intelligence in this show.

As to whether they are as smart as Daria, I’d posit to say that all three girls are smart but have different values that inform their personae. I’d point out that being fluent in fashion, beauty, and Lawndale’s social world takes a brain too, and that these are talents that I’m not sure if Daria knows how to cultivate or cares to learn. So I think Quinn and Brittney’s ability to conform to female stereotypes to gain popularity and male attention could either speak to Daria’s inability to do these things or a lack of interest in acquiring that ability. I’d wager it’s the latter, as Daria is above all else a conscious objector. But I also think that Daria is not able to play the part of the popular girl and thus cultivates a less normative persona that is more comfortable and “natural” to her.

But I’d also be curious, upon revisiting, if/when Quinn and Brittney reject these normative markers of femininity, utilize them knowingly for personal gain, abandon them briefly to return to them later, or relish in them for personal pleasure. I’m also interested in finding those moments when Daria isn’t in such stark opposition to Quinn and Brittney. If these moments occur over the series (and I feel like they do), it might suggest the complex, reflexive, fragmented, discursive nature of being female during the era of third-wave feminism.

I think this cartoon serves as a witty parody and a genuine highschool story, which is not easy to do. This has to be one of the only animated comedies where the characters are intricate and captivating.

Now I must get your opinion. I truly believe Quinn and Brittney are just as intelligent as Daria. However, they choose to hide (or forfeit in Brittney’s case) their intelligence in order to conform to female stereotypes. By doing this, they gain popularity and male attention. What do you think about this statement? (I posted this comment on Youtube, but it’ll be nice to an insightful perspective on the subject matter.