English essay on women's roles

I don't quite understand my English essay topics.
1. 1-2 page explanation of what we learn about the role of women in the 1950s (using a movie called Far From Heaven).
2. 1-2 page explanation of how expectations of how women's roles could change with future (using a movie called Aliens).


Could someone explain these topics and the term "role"? And possibly some examples please.