Both Vagina Monologues by Ensler and Indiscreet Jewels by Diderot address the same theme of exposing female genitalia. However, the fact that they were written two centuries apart significantly impacts the style and the language of the texts. Furthermore, the gender of the writers comes into play as well.
Vagina Monologues is written as a play performed by one actor. It is considered controversial even for the twentieth century. The author emphasizes that little education is given to the girls about their bodies either in school or by their mothers. Eve Ensler points out that people have “popular belief that men … knew more about women’s bodies than women did”. By these monologues she is trying to educate public about existing female problems in our society. She stresses that the reason girls are “unprotected against the shaming words and dirty jokes of the school yard” is because people feel very uncomfortable talking about the subject. By speaking openly about vagina Ensler invites others to follow her and not to be ashamed of talking to others about it. Vagina Monologues target a wide range of audience, male and female, teens and grown-ups.
Unlike Vagina Monologues, Indiscreet Jewels is written by a man in a form of a novel. Moreover, it was published anonymously which reinforces the shameful matter of the subject in the 18th century. In his novel Diderot expressed the desire of every man to know about women’s “amorous adventures past and present”. And he gives the answer to that too: “this has never been and never shall be”. The novel is written mostly for entertainment of men, backing up their beliefs of female indecent behaviors and lies. You can feel men’s point of view even in the words of the Alcina’s vagina itself.
Both Diderot and Ensler use talking vagina as their main theme. However, while Diderot’s “jewel” only talks about its “adventures”, Ensler shows much more angles to the story, such as sex, relationships, and violence against women. The use of language differs greatly as well. Ensler is more straightforward in her piece using such words as “vagina’, “clitoris”, and vagina’s expressions like “slow down – stay home”, “yum, yum – let’s play”, etc. Diderot, on the other hand, uses “jewels” and “amorous adventures” instead of “vagina” and “sex”, and expressions like “precautions taken to receive a husband” or “preparations”. I think, Diderot’s language is more universal and can be accepted in different centuries and countries, whereas Ensler’s Monologues is limited to a specific culture at a specific period of time. Even though it raised a lot of eyebrows even in democratic America, it was still accepted. However, I can’t imagine the reaction at the time it would produce in other countries, such as post-Soviet Union, for example.
P.S. Penis Monologues is a mere response from men to Vagina Monologues, which only emphasizes the importance of the latter. Stephen Peace criticizes Ensler saying that "if we talk about something then we demystify it". The piece is written in an ironic tone, and even though it raises a question about circumcision, it doesn't have the same effect as the Vagina's Monologues.
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.
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.
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