I found this work by Susan Glaspell very well written. Had I not known that she was a woman prior to reading her play, I would have assumed she was a man. If a man wrote this play he would be viewed as extremely sexist and demeaning to females, but because Glaspell wrote it, her sarcasm is brought out by these sexiest comments.
On page 989 Mrs. Hale says, "We live close together and we live far apart. We all go through the same things-it's all just a different kind of the same thing." Had a man written this, it would be perceived by audiences as simplifying women and making it seem as if they lack individuality and all have the same problems. Coming from Glaspell, it is an empowering statement. It relates back to the conversation we've continuously had in class about women criticizing other women. Glaspell is saying that we all have a lot in common. She is saying that we live physically near each other, but keep our hearts apart because we are too busy judging every women by her mistakes and her choices.
I really enjoyed this piece and Glaspell's discreet comedic relief throughout the play.
No comments:
Post a Comment