the narrative of the heroine

In "An Awful Struggle Between Love and Ambition" Shelley Stamp mentions The Perils of Pauline when pointing out the typical societal expectations of women. This genre of film was popular; the heroine who takes charge and adventures. The Perils of Pauline challenged the genre roles in this way. The film series went agains the grain of the 'lady-like' conventions and behaviors that were expected of female individuals during the times.

I believe this was empowering to women however, there are several aspects to the films that unraveled the 'good intentions' of having a female role. The films seemed to establish themes of  "the determinacy of familial ties, and the inevitability of marriage" (Stamp). The heroine always seems to be shrouded with undertones of their impending danger if these were not in the picture: "Women oriented plots offered alarmist tales in which independence is always circumscribed by the shadow of danger..." (Stamp).

Independence was a good thing for women however the motion pictures seemed to establish that with independence there comes risks if you are a female. Thus, the female narrative is enclosed in many expectations throughout film. For example Stamp goes on to mention legal guardians of the heroine missing or deceased, familial obligations, and genealogical ties.