“It is not simply the appearance and practice of male power which is most problematic, but rather the constant subversive denigration of feminine traits and their place in politics.  The result of such romanticized masculine power is the legitimation of dominance exerted over those embodying any hint of femininity.”
—Joseph Loyacono Bustos, Annalise Grigereit, Gabbie Pucciarelli, Lauren Robinson, Olivia Steveson

The Original House of Cards Promotional Poster

“Not only does Frank embody such a form of masculinity, but he utilizes its privilege to work his way up in the political sphere.  The character of Frank reinforces stereotypes of masculinity by being represented as manipulative and determined in his grab for power.”

The Original House of Cards Trailer

“Are the women actually comparable to the men in terms of power and influence?  Or as Rosenberg suggests, is the show too concerned with “insisting that all female journalists are sleeping their way to the top” to recognize real life discrepancies in male-female job ratios in the realm of politics and journalism?  This sexualization of women asserts the sexualized body as a crux of feminine power, reinforcing the inability of women to transcend their role as sexual objects.”

The Revised House of Cards Trailer

“Hegemonic structures insinuate that power must be both dominating and physical, and above all, exemplified by the domination of those less powerful than you.  Our goal was to highlight the arbitrary nature of such a power construct, portraying power that instead, is earned by hard work and intelligence.”