Whether it is his feud with Megyn Kelly, his comments about Carly Fiorina's looks, or being disgusted that Hillary Clinton went to the bathroom during a debate, Donald Trump’s questionable view of women has made headlines throughout his campaign.
"Regardless of gender, they’re simply offensive and beneath the dignity of anyone running for any kind of office at any level,” Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn said on Boston Public Radio Tuesday.
A recent article in The Atlantic by Devony Looser, which explores Ang Lee and Emma Thompson's 1995 film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, may hold the key to helping Trump’s antiquated views of women.
“The pre-romantic era of Jane Austen’s time could teach Donald Trump about enlightenment and treating each other with honor respect and equality,” said Koehn.
According to Looser, the film updated its male characters to exhibit an “egalitarian attitude toward women, an affection for children, and emotional sensitivity.” These changes from the original text represent the new emerging ideals of manhood.
The film’s progressive changes are exemplified in a scene that does not exist in the book where Edward Ferrars played by Hugh Grant, teaches Margaret, played by Emilie Francois, how to fence.
Thompson, who acted in the film and wrote the script, won an Oscar for her screenplay. That same year, Braveheart won best picture. Sadly, 20 years later, the film's depiction of the proto-typical bloodthirsty male is still more relevant to our political process than Thompson and Austen’s view of the modern man.
