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.
Vagina's and Penis's Cum together!!!
I enjoyed all 3 readings, especially the monologues done by Stephen Peace. It always interests me to hear what how guys feel and what they have to say about vaginas. When its spoken about playfully and in a slangish way its not as embarrassing but if you would ask either man or woman about it in a serious conversation, everyone is suddenly shy and not as responsive. What was really funny was when he talks about men grabbing their "things" in the street because I always notice when guys do that and sometimes they dont even try to hide it. It always happens the same way, they walk down the street and look straight ahead as to not cause any attention to their "thing", then they either move it around or scratch it. Guys are just animals. Im just writing about and it and still cant even write the word penis without having to refer to it as "thing". In my house vagina was called popola and penis was bing bing and in most families I bet they had their own set of nicknames just as I and Ensler did. The text related in one way for certain and that was the uncomfortableness of saying vagina and penis. People feel more comfortable saying excuse my language "Pussy" and "Dick", its so weird but as you can see from Diderot's monologue which was written in the 18th century all the way to Ensler's monologue that speaking of the vagina is just uncomfortable. The text also relate when speaking about woman not knowing as much about vaginas as men, both Ensler and Peace say the same thing. That just goes to show how much its not spoken about. I feel that they do invite the same type of readers because although people dont want to say the words aloud they are definitely thinking about it and interested in seeing what other people think about it.
1 comment:
You've said very interesting phrase: "guys are just animals". Did you make that conclusion just after seeing few guys touching their "things" on the street? What about women, are they same animals as guys or they are more human being? And, I agree, some people still shy to talk about their genitals in public, but there are definitely some women and men, who are open to talk about anything. A lot depends on where you grew up and family openness for such conversations.
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