Shakyra, Raissa Putri and Budiarsa, Yohanes Thianika (2026) A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF THE NEGOTIATION OF FEMININITY THROUGH SATIRE AND HYPER-FEMININE AESTHETICS IN SABRINA CARPENTER’S MANCHILD. Undergraduate thesis, FAKULTAS ILMU SOSIAL DAN ILMU POLITIK UNIVERSITAS DIPONEGORO.

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Abstract

The increasing popularity of postfeminist media has transformed the representation
of femininity in contemporary popular culture, where hyper-feminine aesthetics are
increasingly combined with themes of empowerment and female autonomy.
Sabrina Carpenter's Manchild music video presents this contradiction by
juxtaposing highly feminine appearances with satirical lyrics and the reversal of
traditional gender roles. This study aims to examine how hyper-feminine aesthetics
and satire negotiate femininity within the music video. Employing a qualitative
approach, the research applies Roland Barthes' semiotic theory to analyse
denotative, connotative, and myth meanings across thirteen selected scenes. Taking
viewpoints from Andrew Goodwin's music video theory combined with Brad
Osborn's contemporary perspectives on music videos and Laura Mulvey's concept
of the male gaze, supports the interpretation of audio-visual relationships and
gender portrayal. The findings reveal that the music video deconstructs
conventional myths of female fragility and male authority by portraying femininity
as compatible with competence, independence, and agency. However, these
representations simultaneously remain embedded within the commercial aesthetics
and beauty standards characteristic of postfeminist media culture. The study
concludes that Manchild negotiates rather than completely rejects traditional
femininity, illustrating how contemporary music videos function as contested
spaces where empowerment and commodification coexist.
Keywords: femininity, hyper-femininity, postfeminism, semiotics, music video,
Sabrina Carpenter
185 Ilmu Komunikasi 2026

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