A Patriotic Pin-Up

In Buszek’s book, she argues that although the gut feeling of the feminist is often to see pin-ups as exploitation instead of an embrace of controlled sexuality, the pin-up can be interpreted in a variety of ways, often changing with the waves of feminism. Buszek describes this as a paradox and argues that feminism should be approached “not as a singular feminism but as multiple feminisms”, which include space for sexuality. In her analysis, Buszek focused her argument on the nuances between subjects versus objects. For women to have power in their pin-up, they needed to be the subject of the piece, in charge of her own sexuality, not just an object for the male gaze.

            The pin-up at the side is one that emphasizes the sexuality of pin-ups in a way that does not undermine feminism. The woman is fully dressed (down to the wig) in patriotic, Uncle Sam garb. Though her outfit conforms to and emphasizes her curves in a sexual manner, her stance suggests she is strong and commanding. As Buszek delineates, the Varga Girl pin-ups depicted a World War II woman, strong and needed in the U.S. during this time. This idea is confirmed in the pin-up, as she literally encapsulates feminine patriotism: this pin-up says Uncle Sam needs/wants YOU, too, women. Thus, this woman is not an object under the male gaze, she is in complete control of her power and sexuality and the pin-up is actively speaking to that power.