A Sociological View of Fried Green Tomatoes - Running head:...

Running head: A SOCIOLOGICAL VIEW OF FRIED GREEN TOMATOES 1
A Sociological View of Fried Green Tomatoes
Angela F Phelps
Great Falls College MSU

A SOCIOLOGICAL VIEW OF FRIED GREEN TOMATOES 2
Abstract
The contents of this paper discuss the movie Fried Green Tomatoes and its applications to a
sociological perspective. It will discuss the plot and characters of Fried Green Tomatoes and
how they relate to the concepts of sociology covered during this semester. The body describes
many sociological concepts including racism, sexism, feminism, domestic violence, lesbianism,
and ageism. It also touches on religion and the moral justification of murder. It will introduce
the developing friendship of two women as they come to terms with issues of aging, and
feminism while they explore the lives of two women from the past and their journey through
racism, domestic violence, and lesbianism. This paper will end by discussing the current state of
many of these sociological topics, as well as some of the much-needed changes still to be made.

A SOCIOLOGICAL VIEW OF FRIED GREEN TOMATOES 3
A Sociological View of Fried Green Tomatoes
I chose to use the movie Fried Green Tomatoes , which is based on the book Fried Green
Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café . This movie really stands out to me as a rich source of
sociological topics that were covered during this semester. The movie “[emphasizes] female
agency, single motherhood, supporting other women, surviving and triumphing over domestic
abuse, living unconventionally, maintaining one’s ambitions, fighting for legitimacy in the midst
of patriarchy, and changing the status quo” (Jennifer L. Schulz, 2009, p.179). It weaves together
a story that takes us through many of the chapters in our text book. I will describe how Fried
Green Tomatoes is a treasure trove of sociological concepts that are relatable on a personal level
for people from many walks of life.
Our story begins with Evelyn, a middle aged, menopausal woman who plays the typical
gender role for a female perfectly. She takes care of her home, and has dinner on the table when
her hard working, head of the home, husband walks through the door, in what is obviously a
patriarchal relationship. Macionis (2012) defines gender roles as “attitudes and activities that a
society links to each sex” (p. 323). This movie explores two story lines of women that push the
boundaries of these roles. Evelyn meets Ninny while visiting a family member in the nursing
home.