Buffy's Halloween: Gender Analysis

Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, released in March 1997, has been acclaimed to be ahead of its time with topics of gender and putting a new twist on typical horror that we've come to love. Season 2 Episode 6, Halloween, is a perfect example. The episode takes place around Halloween, obviously, with several decorations around the school and the town of Sunnydale. Buffy's school is doing a volunteer opportunity to take little kids trick-or-treating. Well, mostly volunteer till Buffy's principal, Principal Snider, makes Buffy, Willow, and Xander sign up for the event. This is an example of a man abusing his power, but I'll discuss that later. All of the "volunteers" must wear a costume that night for the event. Xander gets his manhood crushed, again, and we see relationship drama with Buffy and Angel. After some costume shopping, it's time for the big show. The teens take the kids out on the town while a curse is put on them. Whatever costume people are wearing, they inhabit not only the personality but the form of the costumed character. Willow becomes a real ghost, Xander becomes a soldier, and Buffy becomes a princess. Yes, a princess.

Gender Analysis

Principal Snider

Snider's comment to Buffy before Trick-or-Treating

One of the first aspects of gender is quite early in the episode. Less than five minutes into the show, Principal Snider sees Buffy in the hallway he calls her a "juvenile delinquent" He talks to her like a criminal, accusing her of loving Halloween for the reason of rebelling. He goes into detail about how she would do things a bully would do, like throwing eggs at someone's house or keying someone's car. He uses his language, saying that these acts are cries for help, yet he shoves the clipboard and pen into Buffy's hand, giving her no choice. Like I said in the intro, this is a prime example of a man abusing his power to manipulate a young girl. Buffy can fight back because he is the principal, and if she fights back, it would just be worse. This is also an interesting scene because Principal Snider, taking away Buffy's choice, represents how women's right of choice and is taken away in situations like today. In media and politics today, women's rights are still challenged, and often, our opinion is also silenced or even ignored. I won't go into much more detail to prevent any political biases. However, if you need an example, a women's abortion rights should explain this enough on its own. 

The Costume Shop

Willow (right) feeling uncomfortable about her "sexy" costume

When you think of the typical Halloween costume frequently, what pops into our heads is the stereotypical sexy female costumes. While Willow and Buffy are shopping for their Halloween costumes, Willow picks out a simple and spooky ghost. Buffy actually leans into the trope by saying that Halloween is a time to not be yourself but also be who you want to be. Willow is very uncomfortable but threw friendly peer pressure, she gives into Buffy eventually for a short while. I'm not going to lie. Willow looks fantastic in her costume, but you can tell she is not as excited as I was. The idea of a sexy Halloween costume is simply to please men. How often do you see men on Halloween in a "sexy doctor" costume compared to the female "sexy nurse." Heck! Even popular horror villains have become a part of the sexy Halloween trend. 

Sexy Fred Krugger Costume

Conclusion 

So, even though Buffy tended to lean into the tropes that I thought she was quite against and how much I hate Snider, I actually really liked this episode. I was raised on modesty, and to see a character that is a teenager that is not a fan of the sexy appeal that is engraved in female Halloween costumes is quite lovely. So, remember all you guys, gals, and non-binary pals to pick your next costume wisely. You don't want to dress "slutty" and turn to an actual "slut". I'm joking. Be who you want to be, and thank you for reading my blog.