Feminism On Stage

Proposal for Critical Feminist Studies Project

What interests me most about feminism is the ways in which feminism relates to and affects the self. The type of feminism that feels most urgent and important to me is the type Hélène Cixous writes about. I am also very interested in the way the relationship between feminism and the self manifests itself through art. And even more specifically, I would love to look at feminism and the self as it portrays itself through plays. Since I am not actually familiar with feminism in the theater, I asked my playwriting professor to suggest some texts that would be helpful (list at the end of the proposal). Through an analysis of several plays, I will be able to come to some greater conclusion about how the feminist self is portrayed on stage. Since art imitates life, looking at the self as it is created in art- particularly in an art form where the self is acted out and realized live on stage- should give insight into how feminists are viewing the self. Also, the problems and victories of feminism that have become ingrained in the psyche of modern feminists should be revealed. To respond to the topics previously listed, I would like to write a play that will give some insight. Also, with the play would come a commentary that explains my thinking and also explains how I feel my play is an appropriate realization of where feminism is headed.

As I read the texts I plan on asking myself the following questions:

1. How does the play define feminism? In what terms?
2. What commentary does it make on feminism in the world of the time period in which it was written?
3. What commentary does it make on the self in relation to feminism? Is the commentary positive or negative? Why is the commentary made at all / for what purpose?
4. Is the play optimistic, pessimistic or just realistic about feminism? What does this say about feminism in the play’s respective time period?
5. Does the play supply the answers to the problems it cites? That is to say, is there a proposal for how change feminism so that it can better the self?
6. Across the board, is there a general tone regarding feminism that is present in all the works?
7. How has feminism impacted the lives of the characters? For the better or worse? What does that say about feminism today?
8. Is there a frustration toward feminism present? Or is frustration present in the play because there is a lack of feminism regarding the characters’ situation? Which is more prevalent and what does either situation say about feminism in the play’s time period?
9. Can anything be discerned from looking comparatively at all the plays that is not readily available in the context of a single play? If so, what insight is shown?
10. How does a play portray aspects of feminism and the self that could not be portrayed as clearly as in other art forms? How does a medium that is meant to be live and in the moment affect how feminism is viewed and how commentary is made?
11. As the plays progress chronologically, are there any clear distinctions in feminism that occur? How are changes and progressions in feminism portrayed in the plays? What are they?

To answer these questions I will first have to create a notebook and record the answers to the questions as I come across them. Particularly because it will take me quite some time to read ten plays and I am sure I will not read them all in a close enough time period to remember specifics about all of them. All the plays are in the library so they will be readily available for me to read. Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is apparently the most classic feminist play and I’d like to start with it and then read the rest of the plays in chronological order. Using the trends found in my questions I should be able to see a kind of trend/arc in the plays that will allow me to write a play that portrays how feminism is portrayed presently and also where it is headed. I really do not wish to focus on any political aspects if it can be helped. I feel as if feminism and the self / psyche requires a lot of work and attention without dealing with any political aspects. Plus, I truly believe that feminism needs to start on a personal / psychological level before it should move into larger arenas of the world.

Essentially my project will be a one act play that portrays how feminism is being portrayed on stage in the world today and also where it is most likely headed. Along with the play, I’ll write a five-page commentary on how I used the plays I read to develop my thoughts about feminism as it is portrayed in the theatre. Also, the commentary will explain how my play is an appropriate representation and conclusion of my research.

I will use the following plays to assist my research:

• A Doll's House – Henrik Ibsen (1879)
• The Drag - Mae West (1927)
• Machinal – Sophie Treadwell (1928)
• The Children’s Hour - Lillian Hellman (1934)
• Uncommon Women and Others – Wendy Wasserstein (1978)
• Top Girls – Caryl Churchill (1984)
• Fefu and Her Friends – Maria Irene Fornes (1990)
• The Heidi Chronicles – Wendy Wasserstein (1990)
• For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf – Ntozake Shange (1996)
• Venus – Suzan-Lori Parks (1998)
• How I Learned to Drive – Paula Vogel (1998)
• In the Blood – Suzan-Lori Parks (2000)

If anyone has any suggestions to fill in the 40s, 50s and 60s gap I’d love to hear them.