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Jean Stapleton believed that Edith Bunker was a reflection of women everywhere in the 1970s
"I knew Edith had to move fast to be real," said Stapleton.
While at first glance, people might view Edith Bunker as a mild-mannered, meek character, people like Jean Stapleton knew better. Certainly, Edith Bunker was a tolerant and long-suffering character during the beginning of All in the Family. But as the series progressed, the character found her own voice and was able to stand on her own two feet, sometimes even against her husband.
After leaving the series in 1979, Stapleton told the Associated Press that Edith Bunker was simply another role in her career. "When you finish a role, you're done with it. There's no deep, spooky connection with the parts you play." But in a 1978 interview, when asked whether Edith affected her own personality, Stapleton had a different response.
"Yes, and vice versa," said Stapleton during an interview with the Austin American-Statesman. "Edith is growing, as women are growing."
All in the Family was popular because so many elements of the series were rooted in real life. Stapleton may not have felt that her character held a deep connection to her personally, but she did seem to think that Edith was deeply connected to all women of the time period.
The 1970s found many women working hard to achieve the respect they so deserved. In later episodes of All in the Family, Edith mirrors the mission that so many women were fighting for in real life. Episodes like "Edith Versus the Bank" showed how far the character had come, as she was determined to fight against injustice.
"I knew Edith had to move fast to be real," said Stapleton. "That she must run. The show is set in New York, which moves fast, and she was a woman catering to a husband."
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