Mona Lisa Smile 1

Mona Lisa Smile portrays the time period of the 1950s as a time of male dominance. There were college courses that informed women on how to be good housewives. They were taught to satisfy the needs of their husbands rather than making a career of their own. The men could basically do whatever they wanted. In the movie, a teacher named Dunbar is able to get away with sleeping with the students. But when a teacher gives out a contraceptive to a student, she is immediately fired. The movie makes it seems as if everyone has significant other-even the anti-social nerds. It also shows that amidst this male dominance there are some that aren't willing to give in to society's pressure. Giselle is one of these rebels that doesn't conform. 

The setting also portrays the 1950s well. The house's and buildings are all very neat and orderly. It's very similar to the way the houses in Pleasantville looked.