Blog Activity: Vagina Monologues
Perspective and Sub-Text
Diderot’s Indiscreet Jewels and Ensler’s Vagina Monologues
The purpose of this activity is to compare two texts that address the same theme, and yet which were written several centuries apart and by authors of different gender. As you read these excerpts, I would like you to do the following:
(1) Compare and Contrast the two texts. Here are some questions to get you started, but you are by no means limited to these issues: Do they serve the same purpose (meaning, are they written as entertainment, Satire to correct social ills, informative news, etc.)? Do they invite the same type of reader? Do the authors share the same opinion about the subject matter? Stylistically, how do the two compare (look at the vocabulary, metaphors, grammar, voice, etc)? How does the gender of the author affect the style and content of the text? Do you feel each of these texts would be acceptable and useful in other centuries and cultures? Note the qualities that make them either “universal” or “limited.”
The Indiscreet Jewels by Denis Diderot (18th Century French Enlightenment male philosopher; written as a NOVEL)
Cucufa said, “I wish women to tell me of their amorous adventures past and present, and no more.” “But it is impossible,” said the genie, “to expect women to confess their adventures. That has never been and never shall be.” Then the genie said, “You see this ring? Put it on your finger, my son. Every woman toward whom you turn the stone will recount her intrigues in a loud, clear, and intelligible voice. But do not imagine that they speak through their mouths.” “From whence,” cried Mongogul, “shall they speak then?” “From the most honest part of them, and the best instructed in the things you desire to know, From their jewels.” “From their jewels!” repeated the sultan, bursting into laughter. “This is something new. Talking jewels! How preposterous!”…
First Test of the Ring: An emir consulted his mistress, Alcina, about the newspaper scandal of her reputed affairs with his mere squire. Alcina swore to him that the slander was the gossip of wretches who would have kept silent had they any reason to speak; furthermore, nothing had been done, and he was free to believe what he wanted. The sultan turned his ring toward her. A loud burst of laughter seized Alcina, and was suddenly syncopated by the workings of the ring. Immediately a murmuring noise was heard from beneath her petticoats: “Well, now I have a title. I am truly glad of it. There is nothing like having a station. Of course, if she had listened to my first advice, she could have found me something better than an emir. But still, an emir is better than nothing.” Silence fell and the jewel continued: “a husband must be an important guest, judging from the precautions taken to receive him. So many preparations! Two more weeks of this regimen would have been the end of me…in my opinion, the emir did not require such a fuss, although I understand my mistress’s prudence. She was preparing for the worst, and I was readied for the emir and his squire alike.” The sultan then turned his ring, the emir already having disappeared at the first words of his wife’s jewel, and Alcina, unabashed, feigned a fainting spell, then sat down to play cards as if her jewel had said nothing, or had said the nicest thing in the world.
The Big Taboo
The Vagina and Penis monologues serve the same purpose of drawing attention to the fact that both genders are uncomfortable speaking about their own genitalia. The Vagina Monologues point seems to find excuses why the parents did not teach girls about their organs. On the other hand, the Penis Monologues were quite hilarious and was for humor more than resentment. The female version expressed anger that the girl was teased by others and had no idea what the other children were saying about her. The male version agrees with the female version as it is stated that “We hear penis or dick a lot more than we hear vagina.” I think that both monologues invite the same type of reader even though the tone of each story is completely different. In reference to style, the female version uses more technical vocabulary for describing genitals. The male version just outright says it repeatedly and uses an array of puns to add to the comedy. The gender affects the type of work because women tend to be more secretive about their privates than men. Men constantly talk about their penis and are more open than women. I think that the female text would be useful in an older time period so it encourages mothers to teach their daughters about their body. The male version would be more acceptable in modern times for a younger audience because the jokes use modern slang, such as “head”, to convey certain points.
1 comment:
Do you think you're more comfortable with the word penis or vagina? Even as a woman I think I am more comfortable with penis. I guess it's because penis is more acceptable in society than vagina is. I wonder if that would ever change...?
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