Which of the following is considered to be a standard narrative used by the media to construct women who commit very serious crimes?

The choice of mythical monsters as a standard narrative used by the media to depict women who commit serious crimes has deep roots in societal perceptions of female deviants. This narrative portrays women who break societal norms as fundamentally different or "other," often attributing monstrous or sinister characteristics to their actions. By framing these women as mythical monsters, the media emphasizes their deviation from expected behavior and moral norms, reinforcing stereotypes of femininity that regard women as nurturing and passive.

In contrast to this conception, alternatives like good wives or beautiful damsels typically signify roles that embody traditional femininity, which starkly contrasts with the portrayal of women in monstrous narratives. These other options present women in more sympathetic or idealized lights, whereas the mythical monster narrative serves to demonize and sensationalize female criminality, creating a more dramatic and fear-inducing story for audiences. This approach often seeks to explain violent or serious crimes committed by women in ways that underscore societal fears and challenges about female empowerment and agency in deviance.