Recently I was at home relaxing after work and I noticed the movie Pirates of the Caribbean was on Netflix. I was obsessed with the movie as a kid and hadn't seen it in a while, so I figured I would watch it for fun. As the film went on I couldn't help but make some observations about the film. I started to pay more attention to Elizabeth Swan, the Governor's daughter who is played by Keira Knightley, and her character through a feminist literary lens when you consider Elizabeth to be the main character of the story. It would make sense too when you consider how often the story follows her narrative. Keeping that in mind, I saw a lot of evidence that would contribute to the idea.
When the film first opens up we see Elizabeth as a young girl standing at the head of a ship singing a pirate shanty. Mid-song she is startled by a Mr. Gibbs who warns her about pirates sailing around the area they’re in. Elizabeth then remarks about how she said she would find meeting a pirate to be fascinating. Captain Norrington intrudes and states that piracy is a vile crime and that he intends to persecute any man who engages in such behavior. After a few minutes of the conversation, her father objects to continuing the conversation because he is concerned about the effect that subject upon her daughter. After the conversation ends and Elizabeth exclaims that there is a boy floating in the water. After they hoisted him onto the ship she was instructed to look after him and care for him while the men searched the wrecked Vessel.
From this scene I picked up a number of points. First, that she as a young girl is shown to take an interest in piracy, a subject that has been remarked by her father as unladylike by how he was concerned for her interest in it.This shows an aspect of her character that defies the normal gender roles of British culture at this time. Second, that Norrington projects himself onto the subject in an attempt to appear more masculine in order to impress her. He disapproves of her interest in the subject by trying to convince her admiration for pirates as misguided and childish. Third, that her father hovers over her and dictates what is good and bad for her, limiting her choices in life. And finally, after they pulled Will out of the water, she was put into a caretaker position because she was a woman. While all the men were busy she was expected to tend to the boys' needs, lowering her stature to a housewife. In the end, we see how she is oppressed and controlled by all the men surrounding her. Yet, in the end, she still makes her own choices and continues to pursue her interests.
Looking at her character, Elizabeth Swann is more than a capable young woman who is very perceptive, demonstrating that she is a quick thinker and adept problem solver. She is able to take control of most situations she is in a multitude of situations by applying what she knows and using proper leverage to her advantage. For example in the beginning of the film when she is captured she calls for Parlay, showing she knows enough about the rules of the pirate code to negotiate with it. Another good example is when the protagonists are being pursued by the Black Pearl. Elizabeth demonstrated her naval knowledge by suggesting to use the reef on their right side to slow the pearl down. From this she demonstrates that she is able to identify environmental aspects of the ocean and how they can be applied to their advantage. She even saves herself and Jack when they are stranded on the island by starting a giant fire with the rum left on the island and the plant life growing there. She was able to make a general observation about people around her and is able to use what little supplies she has to save them. When she is being held aboard Commodore Norrington’s ship she escapes, rows over to the Black Pearl, frees the crew, and figures out how to commandeer it. From this she shows initiative and a will to enter into a hostile environment, and still use her surroundings to her advantage, making it up as goes along. Throughout the movie Elizabeth proves herself to be perceptive and constantly aware of her surroundings.
On top of being smart we also see her as a very confrontational character. She is aggressive in getting what she wants, and is shown in charge of many situations when interacting with other characters. When she is captured and brought to the Black Pearl for the first time she demands that they leave the colony as she stands there unarmed and surrounded by Pirates. She uses the coin that she has as a bargaining chip, threatening to throw it overboard so she has proper leverage in the situation. Another time she takes charge is when she is brought to the Isle de Muerta to break the curse. After the ritual doesn't work and Barbarossa demands answers, she remains still glaring in silence and refusing to answer his questions. Even in the face of danger where she is no longer safe she still acts as if she has the upper hand and keeps a cool composure. Elizabeth Swann often acts with confidence when faced with overwhelming factors.
One final thing I wanted to talk about is what the act of piracy might mean for Elizabeth. We know that she is fascinated by the subject and has done research on it, but why? You have to remember though that the time period she lived in would have been very restricting for a woman’s freedom. She would have had few choices in her life, but alternatively, there were many famous woman pirates like Anne Bonny and Mary Read who lead their own lives and made their own choices. They lived adventurous lives without rules and wouldn't have had to comply with the social gender norms of the British culture at that time. What I concluded is that piracy is an option of escape for her. Elizabeth was so eager to meet a pirate because she was inspired by the woman at that time who broke away from civilization and determined the outcomes of their own lives. When her and Jack are stranded on the island alone, he explains how the Black Pearl isn't just a ship but the idea of freedom. Piracy in itself is a form of freedom for Elizabeth where she can choose her own path and control her own life.
At the end of the film Elizabeth makes her choice to stand by Will and Jack, defending them by accompanying herself with pirates. She denies her arranged marriage and chooses a man beneath her class which would have been unheard of at that time considering her stature. In the last ten minutes of the film, she decides her own fate and makes her own choices making her a strong female lead in the movie who has proven to be a true leader and hero for the story.
