What defines a true “Badass?” » Most will agree that this label applies to a tough, rebellious individual who goes his own way. However, this term is inherently masculine as it implies crude qualities associated with a powerful man. In Jack Katz's analysis in "Ways of the Badass", he refers only to men when deconstructing this strong character's personality. Despite this ingrained conception, can a woman be considered tough if she possesses the associated qualities? In Quentin Tarantino's action film Kill Bill Volume 1, the main character seeking revenge through numerous brutal murders is not a man, but a strong and dominant woman. Using Katz's three levels of badass mannerisms, this badass female character can be proven through the tenacity, detachment, and aggressiveness portrayed by her character. As the title suggests, the main plot of Tarantino's film revolves around Bill's murder; despite the brutality of the title, the film goes beyond simply focusing on this single event. The unnamed main character, given the titles "The Bride" and "Black Mamba", narrates the story, guiding the audience from her past experiences and background knowledge, through her present actions. The plot begins with the murder of the main character at the most important moment of his life: his wedding day. Her previous ties to the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and its leader, Bill, catch up with her when she decides to escape her past and start a new life. However, during this bloody wedding, she is the only one to survive, remaining in a coma for four years. After waking up and realizing the brutal events of her wedding day, she later realizes that something more important than her structured life has been taken away from her: her unborn baby... in the middle of a paper... such as a real female badass? The answer to this once controversial question is "yes", as the once stereotypical vulnerable female character of the Bride transforms to represent the epitome of badass through her alternate persona, Black Mamba. She subverts the assumption that real badasses are men by depicting every aspect of Katz's badass levels. Black Mamba shows his tenacity through his physical appearance and through his knowledge of offensive combat and martial arts, sports generally dominated by men. The process of becoming independent and detached develops from her broken past, which portrays her alien personality. With these two qualities, she becomes mean and displays little sympathy for her victims. From her breaking point in the hospital until the end, she maintains those badass qualities, proving that she, as a woman, is a true badass..