Final answer:
Lady Diana in 'The Sheik' represents the 'new woman' of the 1920s, reflecting the tensions between traditional and modern societal standards for women. Her flapper lifestyle and struggle within a male-dominated society illustrate the era's changing morals and the paradoxes faced by women seeking independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The character Lady Diana in the movie The Sheik epitomizes the complex figure of the 'new woman' of the 1920s, representing the tensions between traditional roles and the emerging modern femininity. As a 'flapper,' Lady Diana exhibits the era's shift towards more permissive social mores, characterized by her bold fashion and behavior that break from the previous generation's expectations. Her personality and actions in the film resonate with the broader struggle for women between adhering to traditional standards and embracing the modern societal and cultural norms that were evolving during the Jazz Age.
Lady Diana's behavior and the choices she makes in the narrative demonstrate the paradoxes and contradictions faced by women of that time: asserting independence while navigating a male-dominated society, seeking pleasure and personal fulfillment, yet often being judged by the double standard of the period. The tension in her character provides a vivid portrayal of this transformative era in women's history.