Mona Lisa Smiles (2003)
The film “Mona Lisa Smiles” was released in 2003, it was a throwback to the 1950s where
there was a harsh environment for women. In this film, we explore the cultural and societal
environment of the characters which were very conservative and unequal for women. It is the story of
Katherine Ann Watson, a forward-thinking, progressive-minded, “bohemian”, and professor in art
history that came to this environment to not only look for a self that she longs for yet also address the
narrow pathway that many of her students have been stepping into and help them to see the world
through open and new eyes. Furthermore, this film will give us different perspectives that will
deepen our comprehension of the freedom that was fought for and is currently been achieved.
The narrative follows a linear structure with a clear start, middle, and finale, unfolding the
story and the impact that Katherine had to a group of students at Wellesley College. We begin the
story with Katherine Ann Watson, someone from California who came to Wellesley College, a
college strictly for women, to teach Art History. She single-mindedly pursed to teach there for that
she wished to make a difference. Once she set foot in Wellesley for the first time, the milieu was
different from that of were she came. It was a traditional, conservative, and authoritarian. Conformity
is the norm, and everyone must obey the traditional gender roles expected by society during that
time. The women enrolled at Wellesley, as well as the faculty, were expected to obey the school
administration which is suported and funded by the alumnae and its investors. The middle narrative
gains momentum as Katherine develops a bond with some students of her art history classes, mainly
Betty, Joan, Giselle, and Connie, all 4 represent the types of women found during the 1950s. All 4
girls came from affluent families, especially Betty whose mother was president of the alumnae.
Through Katherine’s art history classes, she expose the students to diverse perspectives by using
unorthodox teaching methods, disobeying the syllabus, and challenging them to analyze art further
beyond the conventional interpretations by encouraging her students to self-expression and
exploration of the self. Betty, while observing and comprehending the teachings of Katherine, is
hesitant and showing feign ignorance to her teachings. She is a conformist to her mother’s teachings,
for that her mother believes that a woman’s role is to get married and conceive children for their
husbands, for which she obeyed. Betty gradually questions her preconceived notions of womanhood,
divorcing her husband for adultery, and finding her passion for architecture. Joan, who is torn
between ambition and conforming to societal expectations, finds the courage to test herself for the
admission test to Yale Law School for which she passed, yet decided to settle down with the man she
loved for that is what she wished. Giselle, who was rebellious, learns her worth beyond the
promiscuity and vices, embracing self-control and independence. Connie, the shy and uncertain girl,
gains confidence and eventually challenges her family's conservative values. At the finale, Katherine
is seen as subversive to the establishment that has slowly been in odds with her unorthodox teachings
and progressive type of thinking. Sooner or later, she left the institution and went to Europe to travel.
The themes of the story is mainstream feminism, individuality, personal liberty, and the pursue of
personal fulfillment in contrast to the conservative values of 1950s, traditional expectations of
women whose socioeconomic backgroud is that of the affluent, as well as the strict gender roles and
limited opportunities for women.
In conclusion, the analysis of the story present a compelling exploration of the transformative
power of education and the pursuit of personal fulfillment in the face of societal expectations.
Through the character of Katherine Ann Watson, we witness the clash between traditional,
conservative values and the desire for individuality and self-expression. Themes of feminism,
individuality, personal liberty, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment shine through in contrast to the
conservative values and limited opportunities of the 1950s. The characters' journeys show the
importance of challenging norms and embracing one's true self. To conclude this analysis, the film
“Mona Lisa Smiles” serves as a powerful reminder of the potential we all carry to transform and
challenge the norm to create a life that is worthy and have no regrets.
