I believe that both texts are written for the entertaining purpose as well as to evoke response since people are usually unwilling to discuss the topics raised in the readings. Due to resemblance of the main idea I would assume that "Vagina Monologue" and "Penis Monologue" invite the same "type of reader" and almost any type of reader since the topics discussed concern pretty much any of us.
Worth mentioning that "Vagina Monologue" is easier perceived rather that "Penis Monologue" due to a pinch of aggressiveness involved in the former. However such difference is not accidental. Women are tend to be less hostile than men in real life, therefore such dissimilarity is sensed in both texts.
I think these readings could be found entertaining in earlier centuries, because of the issues discussed during those times, maybe just not as openly as now. For example, in "The Indiscreet Jewels" Denis Diderot writes about the same topic as Eve Ensler did. It just Diderot uses more flowery terms to express himself. Taking all said above into consideration, these two texts could be universal since they are both pretty simple and evoke people to discuss about the things they are interested in, but still ashamed to talk about.
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.
Friday, November 14, 2008
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1 comment:
Julia, I don't quite agree with you on the part that Vagina and Penis Monologues are universal. True, they do invite almost any type of reader. However, i don't think our ancestors would find them "entertaining". On the contrary, I believe, they would see them as shameful and inappropriate. Can you imagine an actor on a stage of the 18th century theater talking about "vaginas" and "penises"? Or how it would "stick out" in their pants? Both the style and the language are strictly limited, I would say, to the last fifty years, if not less. And even today not all the cultures would accept this kind of language.
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