With close reference to the text you have studied, examine ways in which the writer presents characters in a sociological/historical context. Consider the changes in the structure and values of society and the position of women in society.
Women’s ability to determine their own future is a fairly new concept. Some feminist’s would argue that the extent of women’s freedom in the 21st century is still limited by the oppression of men. However studies of their lives and behaviours have always formed a large part of literature throughout history, despite it being male dominated and women either being idealised for their beauty, obedience and patience or demonised and blamed for misfortune of men. Nevertheless with the increased involvement of the writing and producing of literature and theatre by women, their perception and role on stage has evolved. This assignment will examine the ways in which the writer presents characters in a sociological/historical context in the play Top Girls. With close reference to the text it will consider the changes in the structure and values of society and the position of women in society.
(Dorney 2008) states that Top Girls was first performed at the Royal Theatre in London on the 28th August 1982. Churchill the female writer of the play was already an established writer for radio, stage and television. She had a good reputation for producing work that examined contemporary issues such as gender and sexuality, capitalism and the changing social relations in Britain in an interesting and provocative way. The all female cast of Top girls examines the place of women in the world in particular the workplace at the beginning of the 1980’s when conservative leader Margaret Thatcher had just become the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom a year earlier in 1979. Main character Marlene admires the values of individual ambition at the expense of others promoted by Thatcher, which is summed up by her telling her sister Joyce “I don’t believe in class. Anyone can do anything if they’ve got what it takes” (Churchill, C. 1991, pg.86)
“In the first act Churchill juxtaposes characters from different social backgrounds and historical eras in order to demonstrate the diversity of womankind.” (Dorney, K. 2008 pg. 53) Churchill offer’s no explanation as to how these historical and fictional women are able to gather together and leads the audience to speculate on what is exactly going on and to come to terms with the fact that the play will not be in the realist tradition and non-naturalistic due to it being impossible for deceased women from various eras socialising together, although it is naturalistic due to it dealing with realistic issues women face. The audience must also get used to the innovative presentation of overlapping dialogue. Which gives the play a very realistic feel and the conversation between the women weaves up and down and fast and slow like a piece of orchestrated music that reaches climaxes with all the women talking over each other and laughing and then comes crashing down with dramatic pauses for example when Joan states “They took me by my feet and dragged me out of town and stoned me to death” (Churchill, C. 1991. pg.17).
The historical figures in Act 1 provide an overview of the struggle against traditional notions of femininity, marriage and motherhood, themes that run throughout the play. It seems that Marlene is the latest in a long line of women to have achieved a degree of success or personal fulfilment. Marlene reinforces this idea with her toast “we’ve all come along way. To our courage and the way we changed our lives and our extraordinary achievements” (Churchill, C. 1991.pg.13). The arrival of Patient Griselda sets in motion a change in the flow of the dinner party. Her tale of obedience to her husband and her commitment to “always obey him in everything” (Churchill, C. 1991. pg.21)
identities of the female protagonists in ‘A Streetcar named Desire’ and ‘Top Girls’ Williams and Churchill present the past as a haunting spectre that threatens the characters progress in their future life. Both playwrights construct the past as an emerging chain that, parasitic like, has clinged onto the protagonists’ present and immobilised the characters ability to function and progress. The retroactive structure of Top Girls reinforces…
The main themes in both Top Girls and The Handmaid’s Tale are feminism, politics and women’s role in society. Top Girls is based on social realism and political drama. Churchill once said “Playwrights don’t give answers, they ask questions”.[1] It could be said that Churchill is asking the audience to acknowledge how much a woman has to sacrifice in order to succeed in the stereotypically male dominant workplace. However, it could also be said that she could be asking the audience to acknowledge…
advertisement. The layout starts with four pictures of girls at different ages using three quarters of the page. The pictures are laid out in a progressive manner from a baby to young child. The pictures are separated with white lines. The pictures start from a baby to young child as if the pictures were taken over time. In all the pictures the girls are laughing or have a large grin on their face. On the top left picture above the youngest girl there is a statement saying “from YOUR BABY”. In the…
young girls in his store also allows him to grow up and separate himself from the sheep like people of society and become a non-conformist. Sammy is simply a boy with an appreciation of beauty that is erotic but also artistic and intellectual. He will not end up like his checker friend Stokesie "married with two babies chalked up on his fuselage already" at the age of 21, but will instead lead him to end up lonely and with nowhere to go but the natural world. (2). Sammy describes the girls, “With…
is struggling in her job. She is the team leader for a group of girls but many of them don’t stay in the job very long, some even leaving after a few hours of work, Carver highlighting to the reader the idea of disaffection among the girls. The story "A&P," narrated by Sammy, a young cashier at the supermarket A & P. One day, three girls in bathing suits stop in to buy some snacks. Sammy is immediately struck by a “chunky” girl with a “sweet broad soft-looking can.” He is so attracted to her…
Being On Top for the Competition The genre of reality TV burst into the homes of Americans over a decade ago and is picking up momentum with competition-based programing leading the way. Many shows have attempted success, but only a few attained the prosperity of permanence amongst the brutal Nielsen ratings. America’s Next Top Model and Bravo’s Top Chef are two groundbreaking reality shows that have stood the test of time. Six-figure cash prizes, automobiles and lavish gifts along with the excitement…
yo funds up you mad? DMC you will not RUN US . sunnie heart is on lock , so you will neva cuff her these girls so lame , these girls so weak x3 they try to knock me while im climbin to the top but you know ill neva FALLX7 YOU KNOW I'LL NEVA FALLX7 Round two lemme tell you what im all about im bout my paper and im stackin up with out a doubt these girls mad cause they'll never fit into my crowd bossed up , RACKED out , all nighters in the town what i get you are…
three teenage girls enter an ordinary, reserved grocery store, wearing nothing but their revealing bathing suits. With the detailed descriptions that Sammy provides of the bathing suits, the additional customers’ reactions to the girls, and the manager of the grocery store in the 1950’s feedback, Updike portrays how extrinsic the girls’ rebellion was in such an ordinary place, making a typical day, into the irregular. The characterization that Sammy contributes of what the three girls were wearing…
low cut, halter top, one-piece swimsuit, which makes her breasts look as if they are going to fall out of her swimsuit. The bright yellow enhances her bronze skin color. Next, she has her arms out to her sides, dipping her manicured fingers in the pristine water. Her legs are together and laying to her left side with a slight bent at the knee. Strapped to her feet are big stiletto heels which are covered in lip prints. The lip prints remind the reader about their product. . A top her head, Nikki…
