Before I dive into the analysis of the show I want to introduce those who may not know what I am talking about. The show New Girl first aired in 2011 with the shows finally in 2018. The show follows the main character Jessica Day played by Zooey Deschanel after she is cheated on in a long-term relationship and then moves into a loft with three guys. The show’s premise follows the roommates as they build long-lasting friendships and their difficulties or successes with romantic relationships.
For my analysis, I will focus on the main character Jessica or Jess. She is a bubbly schoolteacher who tries to navigate the world of men. Her personality is a joke in the show but adds another element of innocence that isn’t typically shown on television. There is typically a loveable borderline stupid side character or best friend most shows introduce to add some comedic relief. It is rare for the main character to be portrayed as a loveable ditz. However, Jessica may be seen as some “loveable idiot” but she does have some important feminist ideas. Her relationship with her friend Cece sheds light on one dynamic of women in different professions and how they are expected to act.
There is one episode where Jess calls out Cece for her friends being the stereotypical “dumb models” and thus because she has been hanging out with them she in turn has gotten more dumb. This then created conflict between the two friends where Jess had to apologize to Cece and explain she always believed Cece had more potential and could have been successful in a more traditional job. This was an interesting episode because it speaks to the nature of jobs held by women. Both of the women hold more feminine jobs yet there are still stereotypes they have to fight against. It is difficult at times for Jess to be taken seriously because of her personality and because her job has her doing different arts and crafts she takes home with her.
In another episode, she is told by her friend and roommate Nick she cannot take anything seriously and is not real. She is incredibly hurt by this comment but she does take it to heart. Nick makes this comment after having one too many drinks following a doctor’s visit that found a lump that could be problematic. He was drunk and feeling vulnerable while Jess was being her usual bubbly self trying to cheer him up. Jess took this opportunity to reflect on herself and realize that her armor of being the sweet bubbly girl was not what everyone else needed. Which I think is something that should have been dived into deeper into the show. Jess was told multiple times throughout the show how her “whole thing” is not what other people like. She however takes this all with a grain of salt and never lets it affect her for long.
This show is not just a nice comedic relief I can throw on in the background while I am trying to work, when I focus on watching the show there are more important themes I pick up on. Jess being the main character is something important not only for women who struggle with relationships but for those women society deems too bubbly and childish or too girly. She shows that women who don’t care what others think of them and embrace their more feminine or girly side can also have meaningful relationships and be serious. I think it is fair to say most men don’t want a woman who is going to be too girly and “annoying” but I think it is time we rise above the standard men have set and embrace every aspect of what it means to be a woman. I love to craft and sing and dance around my room or apartment and yeah that can be annoying to some people but who cares? Jessica Day may not be entirely squeaky clean if one were to do a deep feminist analysis but she shows us it’s okay to be innocent and whimsical and still be able to have strong and deep relationships.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 