Elaan of Troyius - Analysis

Analysis

According to author, professor, and director of the cinema department at San Francisco State University, Daniel Leonard Bernardi in his book, Star Trek and History: Race-ing Toward a White Future: "'Elaan of Troyius' brings into play stereotypes of the Asian female--the manipulative dragon lady and the submissive female slave. Elaan is both irrational and primitive. She throws temper tantrums, eats with her hands, and drinks from the bottle. Kirk tells her, “Nobody's told you that you're an uncivilized savage, a vicious child in a woman's body, an arrogant monster." Bernardi says: "Captain Kirk, the "white knight" of Star Trek, articulates his and the Federation's moral superiority and authority over the Asian-alien and her people through sexual conquestIndeed, it is only after the captain physically and sexually dominates her that she respects and eventually falls in love with himAfter giving in to Kirk's power, Elaan, like the cunning and manipulative dragon lady of classical Hollywood cinema, returns the favor by capturing his heart. The Asian-alien's tears contain a bio-chemical agent that, when touched by a man (even aliens like Kirk), forces him to fall deeply in love with her. After she manipulates Kirk into desiring her, Elaan becomes submissive, gentle, loyal, even willing to die with him, by his side, as the Klingons ruthlessly attack the Enterprise. It is at this point in the narrative that the other stereotype of the Asian female comes into play—that of the submissive Asian slave. In the end, Elaan does anything Captain Kirk requests, politely and adoringly obeying his demands and orders. Her dragon lady tactics were only used so that she could assume a position she truly desired: the submissive mistress of a white knight."