Inara Serra
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Inara Serra |
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species: Human |
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Companion |
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from |
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| Encyclopedia of Female Characters |
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| Issues in characterization: Identities, representation, stereotypes |
| Indexes of female characters: notable female characters ... |
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Inara Serra is a character in "Firefly" and its follow-ups; in TV and film, the character was played by Morena Baccarin, and comic illustrations were modeled after her. Inara's character's profession is "Companion", a sort of sacred prostitute. According to one report,[1] Inara Serra was dying, although that had not yet been revealed in the show. If true, then this places Inara squarely in the "tragic courtesan/harlot" tradition, exemplified, for example, by Violetta Valéry in La Traviata.
- Historical antecedents
A number of possible historical antecedents have been suggested for "Companions":
- Shuyu in 19th century Shanghai[2]
- Hindi temple dancers[3]
- Geishas, in Japan[4]
- Courtesans in ancient Greece, 16th-18th century Europe
- Hookers in the US 19th century West; the character and profession simultaneously reference and subvert that role.[5]
References
- ↑ Morena Baccarin, on a panel, confirmed a fan's report that Joss Whedon had confirmed that the character was dying. See YouTube video, Oct. 1, 2008.
- ↑ http://aaru-tuesday.blogspot.com/2007/07/ill-be-in-my-bunk.html
- ↑ Constance, Deep Genre; see also FSFblog
- ↑ http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?showtopic=27495&st=0&start=0
- ↑ Esoteric Appeal, 2008/3/27
Further reading
- Databases
- "Inara Serra", Firefly & Serenity wiki
- Discussions, critiques, commentaries
- Firefly, Tallis_ryhope (LJ), 2008/4/14
- Dee Amy-Chinn, "‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore: Postfeminist Prostitution in Joss Whedon’s Firefly?", Feminist Media Studies, June 2006, v.6, n.2, pp.175-190 (available at slayage online)
See also
- The article about this character is a STUB, meaning it is tiny and needs lots of work. Help flesh it out.