Machinal

Question 1

Describe Youg Woman’s character

Answer 1

• the dreamer of the expressionistic play/ told through her perspective to exaggerate hardship of women
• represents oppression of women living in a machine of life until she breaks free
• she shows that women can think for themselves but those around view her as sick

Question 2

Describe George H Jones’ character

Answer 2

• represents oppressive men who forces and controls the Young Women
• also represents capitalistic desires to invest in the latest machines “swiss watch” is the thing he most desires

Question 3

Describe Mother’s character

Answer 3

• shows past generations conformity to society
• wants her daughter to marry fror money and follow societal expectations

Question 4

Describe Richard Roe’s character

Answer 4

• gives her a taste of love and freedom
• he doesn’t conform to the rigid rules of society and is a free spirit
• he allows her to dream about a life beyond the constraints of domesticity and the oppression of women in society

Question 5

Describe Ensemble’s purpose

Answer 5

• allows for the contrast and comparison of the beahviour of the main characters to be highlighted
• in the first scene, their staccatto chatter creates the relentless pattern of society at work
• vital in showing how the individual can be overwhelmed by society
• the song of freedom one of the prisoners sings shows that a single voice of society was able to reach out to her ( the voice is then cut off and swamped by the outside world)

Question 6

Describe the play as a feminist piece

Answer 6

• set in a pre feminist society where women had set roles and many had the same life events (getting married, having a child, being a housewife etc)
• the characters are all subjugated by societal expectations (wider message of the right to be free from the all consuming machine of society, whatever your gender)= patriarchy has made it this way