Feminist theory.

This project examines the modern perception of ancient women, specifically
through the creative (and often anachronistic) lens of film. All three women examined,
Cleopatra VII, Livia Augusta, and Servilia Caepionis, all exemplify the modern influence
on interpreting historical sources, resulting in all three becoming agents of feminism in
their own times. Each woman did not culminate the probable influence they had in
Roman society, but they are instead reflective of the patriarchal paradigms understood by
20th and 21st century audiences. The burgeoning feminist ideologies of the 20th century
would influence the depictions of each character in an anachronistic fashion, distorting
the actual control such figures had in history. While Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra
capitalized on youth and sexuality as tools of powers, Siân Phillips’ Livia emphasized
age and experience to advance in patriarchal Rome. Servilia, however, was an older matron who had both the experience and the sexuality to control those around her.
Whileeach figure approached it in very distinct methods, their common goal of changing
Roman politics was reflective of the continued (and relatively unchanged) perception of
ancient Roman women: as intelligent, yet dangerous, figures that served to derail
patriarchal Roman politics.

This research provides a feminist perspective on the lowest paid sector of the United States long-term care industry, Certified Nursing Assistants. This research adds to current feminist scholarship on the modern professional caregiving industry by focusing on the perspective of the workers. As the population of older adults requiring care is expected to increase over the coming decades, the demand for paid caregivers will increase as well. Historically, care work was an expected duty done freely by the women of the family, but today much of the vital intimate caring labor is relegated to paid caregivers. I examine how alternative social, political and economic frameworks can transform United States society’s attitude towards the increasingly relevant issue of caring labor. I argue that incorporating a feminist perspective will be helpful in developing a sustainable model for caring labor that acknowledges the dignity of both patients and their caregivers.