It is the man of the family’s job to work and provide, while the woman has always been expected to stay behind and take care of the house-related needs.  Bitch Planet exaggerates this sexist idea through the use of “the Fathers” and their degrading actions towards Penelope.  The comic reveals to us the extreme patriarchy of the Fathers, and how women are looked at with such high expectations.  Women should be looked at exactly how men are, no less.  In Kelly Sue DeConnick’s thought-provoking comic, Bitch Planet, the outdated idea of women’s role in society is explored through amplification through simplification, which the reader will use to relate to Penelope’s story.

The word “bitch” is generally conveyed with the meaning of being weak and unlikeable.   This word is a derogative term used mainly towards women with the purpose of lowering their self-esteem.  In the comic, Bitch Planet, this word is used precisely in this way.  Bitch Planet is where women are sent to be imprisoned when they do not fit into society’s “norms”.   Women are expected to be skinny, look pretty, have nice hair, and act obedient to men.  This place is run by a group of white men called “the Fathers”, who hold the job of “helping” the women sent here.  The Fathers are a representation of an extreme patriarchy.  These men feel superior to all women, just as most men do in the real world.  The Fathers use their sense of entitlement to look down upon women and manipulate them. Within the first scene of this story, we can see how the Fathers begin manipulating Penelope with the following statements: “You’re being given a chance, Penelope.  A ‘thank you’ would be nice.”, “Penelope, your fathers love you.  It pains us to see you like this.”, and lastly, “All we want to do is help you” (DeConnick 178).  These statements are false; Penelope strays away from their norms.  She is violent, aggressive, taller than usual, and African-American.  She does not meet their expectations; therefore, she must be sent away.  

The issue of equality for women extends far beyond the pages of this comic.  Throughout history women have always been subordinate to men.  Until recent centuries, most women were not given the opportunity to work, but instead they were expected to stay at home and care for their family.  Women did not receive the right to vote until 96 years ago.  The issue of sexism is still present in today’s world.  Women do not receive equal pay wages as men, even if they are completing the same job.  These obvious issues are only part of the problem.  

The views society, but mostly men, have of women have become increasingly out of reach.  Women are expected to be thin, have perfect skin, dress nice, and look up to men with respect.  These traits are not entirely realistic in today’s age, due to the progress women have made with themselves in society.  Men are stuck in this outdated mindset, which leads to women still feeling inferior.  Bitch Planet conveys this as its main message.  Women are not to be told to look a certain way, or be someone.  Penelope is different, and that is the only thing considered wrong with her.  The Fathers do not like her attitude, because she does not act submissive to them; they are threatened by this female who holds her own sense of entitlement.  From the flashback scene of Penelope baking in the kitchen with her grandmother, we are able to see her understanding of women from a young age.  Her grandmother says, “You keep working as hard as you do and you’ll be as big and strong as an oak, like your daddy” (DeConnick 179).  Penelope uses the short response, “My mom is strong” (DeConnick 179).  This shows us how she has not thought anything different of women and men yet.  This scene as a whole has a completely different mood than the rest of the story.  She is in the kitchen baking with her grandmother, which is a very matriarchal event.  She seems to be happy and acting like herself, not worried about anyone else’s opinion.  She is innocent and sheltered from the sexism she will later understand and the expectations that will soon be demanded of her.

The obstacles that Penelope experiences are harsher than those we experience in our world, but they are similar in certain ways.  Any women can easily relate to Penelope’s story by putting themselves into her shoes and thinking of a time they felt inferior to men.  Kelly Sue DeConnick makes it even easier to relate through her writing style of comic panels.  The readers are able to fully understand the emotion Penelope is experiencing through the pictures drawn.  Only a few words are needed for each panel in order for us to grasp the plot and the emotions.  DeConnick also made this story easier to follow by adding in flashbacks.  These were obvious to follow, due to the sepia colored pages.  The flashbacks helped the audience gain a deeper understanding of Penelope’s childhood and past, which was helpful when trying to follow her current life.  Lastly, DeConnick’s use of amplification through simplification truly allowed the readers to relate to this.  She drew the fathers to look like very average, middle-aged men.  This idea lets the readers relate these men more universally and relate them with the men in their life who make them feel inferior.

All men are looked at as above women, and they all have more power than women do.   Women constantly must fight for their rights of equality.  Bitch Planet is an outstanding metaphor for the ridiculous struggles that women experience.  It is not quite as obvious in our society as it is in Bitch Planet, but the author’s point is for us to notice.  Her use of amplification through simplification pushed her readers to relate to Penelope’s story even further.
