The name Nancy has always been an iconic representation of American culture. From everybody’s favorite sleuth, Nancy Drew of the 40s, to literal ice queen Nancy Kerrigan, the connotation of the name Nancy has changed time and time again in the eyes of the public. First, as a generation of girls grew up reading Caroline Keene’s classic mysteries, the name Nancy conveyed a picturesque image of a small-town girl solving crimes, an intelligent, lively detective. Later, after the 1994 scandal with Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, Nancy switched to an embodiment of innocence, a wronged victim with the whole world watching. While every Nancy has inspired, been sympathized with, conveyed a relatable image, no Nancy has had a greater impact on American pop culture than Nancy Wheeler.
As I was binge-watching the hit TV show Stranger Things (which has recently gained a cult following and propelled its actors to instant stardom), I felt a flash of recognition when I heard the name Nancy Wheeler, who is Mike’s sister. So I went upstairs to my purple bookcase and dug around until I found a certain battered book, my mother’s original copy- Judy Blume’s Are you there, God? It’s Me, Margaret. In the book, Nancy Wheeler is Margaret’s best friend and confidante. The contrast between the two Nancys highlights the changes in pop culture since 1970, when Are you there, God? was published.
In the book, Nancy Wheeler is no heroine. She is a superficial sixth-grader who cares about boys, bras, and little else. She keeps a “Boy Journal” where she writes the names of boys she likes, makes up a chant which supposedly increases bust size, and even lies about getting her period in order to seem more mature to her friends. All of this isn’t a statement against book Nancy. She is not a bad person, but simply an average one, subject to all the trials and tears of adolescence. Nancy Wheeler epitomizes the shallowness and selfishness seen in (pre)teen girls, which is why she is a relatable, if not necessarily lovable, character.
On the other end of the spectrum is Stranger Things’ Nancy Wheeler, portrayed by Natalia Dyer. In the show, Nancy gradually transforms from a typical teenager (boy troubles and worrying about classes) into a strong female character whose love for those around her (Barb, Mike) is evident in her desire to protect them. ST Nancy acts out of love, and she prioritizes her brother’s safety over her own. Although she is unsure of her feelings for Jonathon and Steve, her relationship status doesn’t define her, as she becomes a smart and independent character over the course of the first two seasons.
In this way, she is the complete opposite of book Nancy, often portrayed as whiny and selfish. But that’s not book Nancy’s fault. She was a product of an age where female characters were often shallow and one-dimensional. We still have so, so much to do before truly in-depth female characters become the norm, instead of outcasts or outliers, but we are way ahead of where we were 50 years ago. 50 years ago, every girl, real or fictional, had to have a boyfriend. 50 years ago, LGBTQ+ characters were practically unheard of in the mainstream media. 50 years ago, the scared, lonely, pretty girl would be dead after half an hour, the villain and/or monster laughing at her helplessness. And now?
Like the Nancy Wheeler of today, she has learned to fight back.
A part of me doesn't know what to say: You said it all! You're so right: representation has drastically improved since those times when all women were were insignificant plot points in the male hero's story. Considering how much things have improved since then, do you think that in another 50 years we'll have nearly eradicated the issue, or will it still linger? Even more interestingly, will it eventually shift the other way, leaving guys underrepresented, as impossible as it seems now? All very interesting things to consider. Either way, I loved the article!
ReplyDeleteI think it's taken hundreds of years for women to start being portrayed as significant characters. Based on the past, it will take hundreds more before we achieve true equality on the big screen and in every book. However, we are living in a time like no other, where overwhelmingly male-centric narratives are finally, finally being called out for being BS. We are making exponential progress toward equality in the entertainment industry. Therefore, I don't really know what to say. I think we are at a crossroads that could change the course of entertainment for centuries, if not millenia.
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