The treatment of Women in the History of the United States as portrayed American Drama
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Do we have the ability to control our destiny - Death of Salesman.
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Arthur Miller’s Death Of A Salesman
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To what extent, and in what ways, would you describe any TWO or THREE of the following as feminist plays: Overtones, Trifles, A Man's World, Machinal? Throughout the early and mid 20th century, Feminism played an important factor in the readings of many literary works, mainly those written by leading women writers. The female cannon of Modern American Drama contributes to those feminist readings with leading authors such as Sophie Treadwell, Susan Glaspell and Alice Gerstenberg. Their literary work such as, 'Trifles', 'Machinal' and 'Overtones', are just three plays that express feminist ideologies; all of which feature female protagonists or female characters that "struggle for autonomy...in a male dominated society."1 The form of Expressionism and the use of Language, stage directions and names are all approached in a feminist way to go to the extent of providing awareness to the troubles of women in their society. Sophie Treadwell's 'Machinal' contains a central reading of feminism. Critics of her literary work often claim that her "Partisanship of Feminism" marks the majority of her works."² Within the play this "Partisanship" or devotion to feminism is clearly seen through the female protagonist Helen, otherwise known as 'Young Woman', "an ordinary young woman, any woman,"³ and the other women within 'Machinal'. Even just through this choice of character name, 'The
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Death of a Salesman By Arthur Miller
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