“The Sisterhood’s” Elissa Strauss wrote an essay about Larry David’s character on Curb Your Enthusaism that I think needs consideration. In,”Larry David, Feminist Hero?” Strauss is willing to challenge what is and what isn’t feminism. Usually when we think of “The Sisterhood’s” feminism we think a little more along these lines, so Strauss gets points for being more creative.
Strauss notes,
Larry David is a feminist. There I said it. I know, I know, that jerk? Allow me to explain.
Yes he is arrogant and frequently offensive, but somewhere amid the solipsism and general buffoonery there is a man who treats women’s bodies and issues with a level of maturity, respect and a rather refreshing matter-of-factness rarely seen on television.
But as we can see in this scene, a feminist interpretation doesn’t always work for Larry. Perhaps Strauss can’t help identifying with Larry’s uber-Ashkenazi character, and is trying to justify that as a feminist? Because Larry is certainly very Jewish, even if unlike Strauss, he isn’t particularly loyal to tribe or feminism.
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