Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Stevens, Ashley.pdf (684.67 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

American Society, Stereotypical Roles, and Asian Characters in M*A*S*H

Stevens, Ashley Marie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1459520345

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, History.
M*A*S*H is an iconic, eleven season (1972-1983), American television series that was produced on the tail end of the Vietnam War during a period of upheaval for the American public. Set in Korea during the Korean War, M*A*S*H was a satire on the war in Vietnam. As a result, M*A*S*H presents numerous Asian (Korean) characters throughout the series, but often in limited, stereotypical roles. Despite producing America's most watched final season episode; "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen," and being granted several Emmy nominations and awards, M*A*S*H has all but evaded lengthy academic study. This thesis primarily uses newspapers, both local and national, to understand how Asian stereotypes are presented in M*A*S*H with relationship to American society. Through the analysis of seven Asian-centered character roles, including; farmer/villager, houseboy/housekeeper, prostitute, war bride, peddler/hustler, orphan, and enemy, I explore the foundations of these stereotypes as well as how they were being utilized to reassure Americans of their own communal, Cold War, beliefs in a time of distress. I explore how these roles change and adapt over the course of the series and what may be motivating these changes, such as the Asian-American, Civil Rights and women's rights movements, and changing Cold War ideologies and objectives.
Michael Brooks, Dr. (Advisor)
Kristen Rudisill, Dr. (Committee Member)
111 p.
American History; Asian American Studies; Asian Studies; Folklore; Mass Communications; Military History
MASH television; Asian Stereotypes; Korean War; Vietnam War; houseboy; moose; war orphan; war bride; Korean; Vietnamese; Gook; Gook Complex; Mobile Army Surgical Hospital; MASH; Cold War; friendly fire; American Television; military prostitution; History

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Stevens, A. M. (2016). American Society, Stereotypical Roles, and Asian Characters in M*A*S*H [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1459520345

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Stevens, Ashley. American Society, Stereotypical Roles, and Asian Characters in M*A*S*H. 2016. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1459520345.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Stevens, Ashley. "American Society, Stereotypical Roles, and Asian Characters in M*A*S*H." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1459520345

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1459520345
3,379
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.