Problematizing Black Female Character as Mother Figure in Adaptation of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Abstract

This research examines how the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” constructs the character of Queenie as mammy stereotype and the accounts of her presence in this adaptation. By applying the semiotic theory of Roland Barthes, this research analyzes mise-en-scene examination to find the mammy stereotype constructed in the character Queenie by looking at the history of slavery in America. Then, in order to find the account of Queenie’s presence, this research uses the adaptation theory of Linda Hutcheon. Thus, this research finds that the movie constructs mammy stereotype, that has been ingrained in the history of slavery in America, in the character Queenie through mise-en-scene, specifically in the figure behavior of Queenie. Moreover, the presence of Queenie in the movie challenges the stereotype by showing the significant role of mammy in a parent's abandonment of a white child. The presence of Queenie makes this movie as a process and a product based on Hutcheon’s adaptation theory. As her presence telling the story in variation and paying tribute to the short story, the movie represents Queenie to contest the short story point of view towards black, especially a black woman.