Seinfeld is the hallmark American sitcom. With its diverse group of needy characters, coincidence-based comedy, and pervasive sexuality, the show is swarming with themes regarding gender norms. While gender norms are addressed by the show's plot, most of the characters do not care to fight norms. The characters, being primarily selfish and excessively opportunistic, prefer to take advantage of their own inherent gender traits in their busy and chaotic world.
In one classic episode titled "The Caddy" one of the several intertwining plots revolves around one of Elaine's old friends, Sue Allen Mishkie. When Elaine randomly encounters Sue Allen in the street, she is forced into conversation with her. Sue Allen invites Elaine to her birthday party, but Elaine, wishing not to go, says she will be too busy. To this, Sue Allen tells Elaine that she would still like a gift. Somewhat bewildered by this, Elaine finally concludes her conversation with Sue Allen.
Later on, Elaine meets with George and Jerry at Jerry's apartment. She explains that her grudge against Sue Allan is due to Sue Allan's refusal to ever wear a bra. "This woman has never, not once, as long as I have ever known her, worn a bra." George and Jerry love this, and are enticed by the story of the braless wonder. Elaine then tells the story of Sue Allen stealing her boyfriend from her at a party. This reveals that Elaine's grudge is rooted in jealousy. Jerry remarks that Sue Allen is Elaine's "Lex Luther". Elaine then unveils her gift for Sue Allen: a high quality, highly supportive bra.
A couple scenes later, Elaine receives a call in her office. Sue Allen has come to see her. There is no "gaze" camera technique required for Sue Allen's flamboyant entry into the office. Sue Allen is wearing the bra as a top, with only an open blazer on top of that. With Sue Allen's dazzling breasts more exposed than ever, Elaine is nearly speechless. Reading this, Sue Allen asks if everything is alright. Elaine then explains that the bra is not a top but a bra. To this, Sue Allen only says, "Oh, I know! Thanks again." and then departs from the office.
The plot intertwinement finally arrives when Kramer and Jerry are driving down the street and they notice Sue Allen rocking the brazier-blazer combo on the sidewalk. With Kramer behind the wheel, he becomes dangerously distracted by Sue Allen's captivating breasts. Naturally, he crashes into a light post.
Kramer, having been training for a golf tournament, is outraged. He is injured from the crash, and his swing is ruined. Elaine, Kramer, and his caddy agree that Sue Allen ought to be sued. Kramer's eccentric lawyer is more than happy to take up the case. As another plus, Sue Allen is the heir to the Oh Henry! candy bar fortune. Kramer's lawyer can hardly contain his excitement.
Jerry soon runs into Sue Allen as she is attempting to get into Kramer's apartment. Jerry then invites her into his apartment, only because of Sue Allen's incredible beauty and voluptuous breasts. This is an excellent example of objectification, as Sue Allen is annoying and arrogant, but Jerry still wants her. Jerry develops a fondness to Sue Allen, and he enters a battle with Kramer of sex versus money. On top of all this, Elaine's boss has also grown fond of Sue Allen's sexual swagger, and he now wants to market the bra as a top. This is an outstanding example of men taking advantage of female sexuality for the sake of profit.
When Kramer takes Sue Allen to court, Jerry is incredibly reluctant to admit that he saw Sue Allen in the bra on the street, revealing his attachment to her breasts. At the conclusion of the trial, with Kramer on the verge of winning the suit, the caddy suggests that Sue Allen try on the bra. When she agrees to this, the bra will not fit over her leotard, and Kramer loses the case.
This episode is heavily imbued with themes regarding sexism. Elaine is battling against a woman who, in her mind, is stepping too far outside of the feminine gender role. She is disgusted by Sue Allen's advantageous behavior which revolves only around her body. At the very same time, the male characters in the show do indeed become infatuated in Sue Allen, entirely because of her breasts. This can be seen in Kramer's distraction that leads to the car crash, Jerry's crush on the woman, and Elaine's boss trying to market her bra as a top. This episode presents modern sexism in a comedic, somewhat realistic way.
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