The movie "Mona Lisa Smile" explores life through themes of feminism, marriage, and education lead by a modernist teacher at the end of a traditional era. This film explains the idea or women's liberation, which was about women being able to do what they want, when they wanted to. The thought is that women should be allowed to do anything. Choosing to be a housewife is perfectly acceptable but if a woman's dreams go beyond the household than she should be able to act upon them. Issues of questions dealing with uniformity and choosing the path that is right for each individual are also addressed. The film "Mona Lisa Smile" ultimately illustrates how certain expectations within gender roles, contraception, divorce, and marriage have changed over time, and some have remained the same.
             The movie begins by introducing the lead character, Katherine Watson, who is a free spirited art history teacher determined to make a difference at the prestigious Wellesley women's college. Very quickly it becomes apparent that Katherine is a non-conformist intellectual with a passion for art and education. Katherine's ambition and persistence prove to demonstrate that she is a professor ahead of her time. On the first day to teach class her students attempt to intimidate her by sarcasm and their own intelligence. Katherine leaves the school baffled by the girl's unkindness and realizes that she has her work cut out for her. Upon returning home the woman she is living with interrogates her about marriage. Despite her older age, Katherine has never been married which is hard for the women of Wellesley to understand. Katherine upholds marriage and understands the importance of family within society but she is also concerned with her career, helping others, and most of all, happiness. The women of Wellesley seem to believe marriage is the single most important aspect of a woman's life and K...