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Heather Walter

Professor Flores

English Composition

2 March 2022

Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy”: The Female Point of View

Beyonce is one of the leading artists in the Pop-R&B music industry. Defined by her

confidence, poise, and beauty, Beyonce has been able transform a generation with her music.

The song “If I Were a Boy” debuted on her album “I am…Sasha Fierce” in 2008. However, the

song was originally written by BC Jean and Toby Gad that same year but was not picked up by

Jean’s team. (Kristobak) After Beyonce’s official music video for the song it grew vastly in

popularity. In 2013 the Fox musical drama television series aired its fifth season which “If I

Were a Boy” had a cameo in. Both versions of the song are displayed through an on-screen

performance. Each video addresses unique circumstances a woman may experience. Bringing

attention to these topics ignites an important conversation among people. The videos promote

different issues with equal opportunity for positive awareness among the viewers. The two

performances of the song “If I Were a Boy” represent individual areas of women’s rights that

must be discussed to further support people with justice and positivity.

“Intimacy, honesty, commitment… you, me, us.” The opening scene of Beyonce’s music

video for “If I Were a Boy” presents the main characters in a zoomed-in point of view. The

entire video was published in black and white as well. This detail in videography supports the

philosophical appeals in that “people only see in black and white”. The premise of the video is

centered around the relationship between Beyonce and her significant other. The female
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character is a police officer, and her boyfriend works in an office. While getting ready in the

morning, Beyonce’s character rushes through breakfast and does not engage with her significant

other. As both characters begin their days at work, the viewer gains perspective on what is going

on in the relationship. The female character has a male coworker who is partnered with her.

Throughout the daily interactions the two officers experience, there is a developing sexual

tension between them. It seems to be light flirting at first but then develops into boundaries being

crossed. Beyonce’s boyfriend can sense the distance between them and decides to buy a gift for

her to attempt at rekindling their romance. He even turns down his own coworkers at the end of

the day to be with his significant other. The couple goes to an event together which has fellow

police officers in attendance... including Beyonce’s partner. At the rising action of the plot,

Beyonce’s character is dancing with her partner, but her boyfriend is watching from across the

room. The couple leaves together with emotions spinning. In the final moments of the video, the

plot is revealed: The roles are reversed. The first scene of the video is replicated during breakfast

with the couple getting ready for work. However, now the boyfriend is portrayed as the police

officer acting the same way as originally described. The video concludes with a focused

viewpoint of Beyonce singing the final lines of the song.

The official music video for the song “If I Were a Boy” has sprinkles of rhetorical

appeals all throughout the performance. Commonly known as the appeal to credibility, Ethos can

be developed in many ways. (stlcc.edu) Beyonce is a credible artist, dancer, and performer in the

music industry. Her role in the film supports aspects of Ethos. Attributes of reason and logic

reside under the rhetorical appeal Logos. The presence of factual evidence such as numbers or

graphs do not make an appearance, however there is still logical reasoning behind the content of

the video. Unfortunately, gender inequalities do exist in the work force and often are more of a
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detriment to the female involved. Societal constructs have supported this notion for many years.

Beyonce’s approach of portraying this concept does justify those who may resonate with the on-

screen events that were captured. It is reasonable to conclude from the performance that one may

feel validated in their experiences. For other viewers, the logical takeaway would encourage

reflection and acknowledgment for those who have been negatively affected. Pathos represents

the emotion. Out of all the rhetorical appeals, Pathos is the easiest to identify and attempt to

connect with. Depending on the audience there are different emotions to be experienced. Brave,

fearless, and dignified are three emotions that can be attributed to the overall perspective of the

content. There are no restraints on the kind of person who can be a member of the audience to

this video. All people can find symbolism, meaning, and mindfulness when viewing Beyonce’s

video. The main idea of “If I Were a Boy” official music video is to be aware of all perspectives

and the effect one may have on another individual. Double standards and inequalities of gender

deserve a just conversation within society.

The second version of the song is from Season five in the TV show “Glee”. The main

character, a female transgender student, enters the men’s restroom. She is confronted by a few

different young men who are antagonizing her about her hair, appearance, and identification.

After snatching her wig and throwing it in the toilet, the other students leave the restroom. The

video transitions into a heartfelt performance in front of her choir class. As the main character

expresses her experience through the lyrics, her fellow peers can feel the passion and only

imagine how it feels to be in her situation. When compared to the official music video, this

version of “If I Were a Boy” brings light to a different topic. Because those students viewed her

as a boy, and the school did not allow her in the female restroom, she was subject to their

discrimination. As she struggles with identity, acceptance, and societal influences, her
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experiences coincide with Beyonce’s words. The videography leads the audience to reflect on the

main characters hardships while simultaneously allowing the singer to shine through her

performance. With the support of her teacher, peers, and confidence within herself, she can move

past what happened and look forward towards new experiences. The final moment from the

scene depicts one of her classmates stating, “We need some names.” In their efforts to show their

support, they are insinuating to take physical action against the bullies. The main character

reassures them that it will not help anything and may even make the situation worse.

Rhetorical appeals help to navigate the audience towards the main idea of the content.

Regarding the version of “If I Were a Boy” performed in Season five of “Glee”, one can

experience these aspects. Often a firsthand encounter can be the best supporting evidence to

one’s credibility. Ethos is used to demonstrate this authority. The main character experienced

discrimination and prejudice because of her identity. Her narration of these interactions supports

the authenticity of the main idea. Logos does not explicitly appear in the video; however,

examples can be found through the underlying message. The audience is aware of how the

bullies affect the main character in that vulnerable of a position. The logical conclusion of the

viewer would be to stand up against people who spread hate. Unfortunately, sexual orientation

and concepts of identity are involved politically in society. Sometimes the person behind those

stigmas is forgotten about. People must remember to treat others with dignity and respect. It is

the right thing to do. Pathos has a strong presence in this version of “If I Were a Boy”. The main

character’s performance amplifies how much of an effect that situation can have on an

individual. Transgender people are often mistreated just for being different. Minority group

members of the community are especially at risk for depression, targeting, and discrimination.

Any person can be a member of the audience for this video.

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Reflecting on both versions of Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy” brings light to the

similarities and differences between the two. The most common idea throughout both videos is

the presence of Pathos and appeals to the audience’s emotion. Each version addresses topics of

concern among women’s rights and activism. Transgender equality and the social stigma among

men and women of all kinds must be discussed to promote a positive world for the future. Both

videos present a strong female lead with powerful vocal ability. A visual difference between the

two versions starts with the content. The official music video was published in black and white

and shows scenes from many different areas of the characters daily lives. The version from

“Glee” is done in color and primarily focuses on the main characters performance in front of the

class. The topic choices for the two videos are related to women’s rights but have unique focus

points. Logos and Ethos are present in both as well but are utilized best as supporting factors for

the Pathos appeals.

In the everchanging society lived in today, one must maintain the best interest for those

around them. No matter an individual’s political view, sexual orientation, or freedom of choice,

people must choose happiness and equality. Women’s rights and activism towards a more

understanding society promotes these qualities. In no way is this idea a way to criticize men, but

to bring attention to what must be discussed. Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy” is an anthem of

empowerment and honesty. The experiences portrayed in both versions of the song bring

attention to this conversion. The rhetorical appeals assist the audience in experiencing the

message to the fullest potential. All people deserve to experience life as their truest, most

authentic self.
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Works Cited

Beyonce. “Beyonce – If I Were a Boy”. Youtube.com. Accessed Feb. 2022. Published Oct. 2009.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWpsOqh8q0M

Kristobak, Ryan. “25 Famous Songs You Never Knew Were Covers”. Theculturetrip.com.

Accessed Feb. 2022. Published Oct. 2017.

https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/articles/25-famous-songs-you-never-knew-

were-covers/

Madebymaegan. “Glee S05E05 If I Were A Boy (Scene)”. Youtube.com. Accessed Feb. 2022.

Published May 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdNCpshq-Hc

Rotten Tomatoes. “The End of Twerk”. Rottentomatoes.com. Accessed Feb. 2022. Copyright

Fandango. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/glee/s05/e05

St. Louis Community College. “Pathos, Logos, and Ethos”. Stlcc.edu. Accessed Feb. 2022.

Copyright 2022. https://stlcc.edu/student-support/academic-success-and-tutoring/writing-

center/writing-resources/pathos-logos-and-ethos.aspx