Friday, July 19, 2019
Investigate notions of sisters and sisterhood within Top Girls :: English Literature
Investigate notions of sisters and sisterhood within Top Girls In Act 1 the women at the dinner party, speak of their suffering in the past, but they all relate to Marlene and to each other as a sisterhood of the present, even though the women represent contemporary figures supposedly alive in the early 1980ââ¬â¢s in England. Lady Nijo and Pope Joan are similar in that they both had babies in difficult situations, and both stood up for their rights as women. The portrayal of these women contrasts with the traditional and ââ¬Ëclassicalââ¬â¢ representation of women in plays. In the past women characters have been presented as dependent on men and limited by the conversations of a male dominates world. A typical example of this is seen in Hamlet by William Shakespeare, with both Gertrude and Ophelia saying ââ¬ËI will obey my lordââ¬â¢ however in Top Girls the characters think independently and believe in themselves and show support for their sisters. The characters are individualised which is dramatically interesting as they open to a new experience on the stage. The modern women is shown in Top Girls to be living in the time of shifting priorities and expectations, challenging the female ââ¬Ërolesââ¬â¢. An example of this is Louise in act 2 saying, ââ¬ËShe has a different style, sheââ¬â¢s a new kindâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬â¢ Many themes that run throughout Top Girls relate to the time when the play was written. An example of this and also an example of sisters in the play is the argument between Joyce and Marlene. Marlene is an individualistic and through her own determination and effort has managed to lift herself out of working class environment to middle class. Class structure, as seen by Marlene, is the cause of oppression and the row between the sisters is exaggerated and simplified with Marlene saying ââ¬ËI hat the working classââ¬â¢ and Joy replying ââ¬Ë I spit when I see a Rolls Royce.ââ¬â¢ Marlene shows support for Thatcher saying ââ¬ËSheââ¬â¢s a tough lady, Maggieâ⬠¦. Certainly gets my vote.ââ¬â¢ Which can be interpreted as, her own success could have been due to the encouragement and initiative of an individual. Act 3 reveals aspects of Marleneââ¬â¢s life that could be questioned. She left home at the age of 17, she cut herself of from all family ties, she hasnââ¬â¢t been home for 6 years and Angieââ¬â¢s arrival in the office is a complete inconvenience to her. In many respects Joyce can be interpreted as a failure too, she is worn out, let down by her husband and has a mixed success to look after Angie. The history of the sisterââ¬â¢s social and family background is grim.
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