Gen Z is unapologetic and has salvaged many things women have previously been shamed for, especially angst. This generation has taken female anger and frustration under its wing and wears these emotions with pride, using female rage edits on platforms like tiktok and instagram as a form of expression.
Creators and consumers of these edits are proudly reclaiming insanity, obsession and being unhinged.
Women snap, and they get it.
It is evident that madness and hiding your raw emotions are outdated concepts. With many seeking solace in these unhinged and frustrated women, the next step is to let this seep into society. Allowing women to express their true feelings, maybe not to the extent that are depicted in cinema, is on the checklist for Gen Z’s crusade.
A wider acceptance and acknowledgement of women’s mental health and ill thoughts can only surely have a positive impact. Cinema has depicted women in this light for decades, but now, instead of it being suppressive, it is empowering. Many can relate and feel consoled.
Female Rage in Mythology: Medusa
Medusa’s myth serves as a striking analogy for the suppression and weaponization of female rage. Blamed for her beauty and punished for her assault, Medusa’s story encapsulates a culture that demonizes women’s anger, independence, and sexuality. Her transformation into a monster symbolizes society’s attempt to silence and control powerful women by framing their strength as a threat.
This narrative resonates deeply with modern experiences, where women’s rage is often dismissed or vilified. Medusa’s punishment reflects the double bind women face today: expressing anger risks being labeled as dangerous or hysterical, while suppressing it reinforces societal expectations of passivity. In either case, female rage is deemed unacceptable, a challenge to the patriarchal order that must be subdued.
A feminist reinterpretation reclaims Medusa’s power, suggesting Athena’s actions were not a punishment but a gift. Stripped of the beauty that made her vulnerable, Medusa’s rage was externalized into a force of protection, turning her anger into a weapon against male entitlement. Her gaze became a metaphorical stand against those who sought to harm or control her.
Medusa’s story also highlights the endurance of the “angry woman” stereotype, often used to discredit female leaders. Figures like Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel, and Theresa May have been compared to Medusa, their authority reduced to monstrous imagery that reinforces patriarchal fears of women’s power. This demonization of female rage underscores the enduring discomfort with women who challenge societal norms.
Ultimately, Medusa embodies both the struggle and the potential of female rage. Her story speaks to the transformative power of anger when channeled into resistance and resilience. From a monster to a symbol of protection, Medusa’s legacy reminds us of the strength found in confronting and reclaiming what society seeks to suppress.
