This term paper will show to what a great extent society is influenced by men. I suggest that in Marsha Norman´s play “Getting Out” her protagonist Arlene would never have faced so many problems in life, let alone would have become criminal, if men did not possess such a great power over society. Men being in power throughout the world was certainly the worst thing that could ever have happened in human history, Arlene being a representative of all the women living and having lived on earth, even if a very extreme one. But in favor of men, I claim that men are not really guilty either because society has become autonomous and cannot be controlled anymore.
The basis for my thesis is Gretchen Cline´s essay entitled “The Impossibility of Getting Out – The Psychopolitics of the family in Marsha Norman´s Getting Out” which contains feminist, psychoanalytic and existential frameworks to show Arlene Holsclaw´s oppression within a family that parallels the institutions that bind her. Cline herself uses Walter Davis´ theory of the “crypt” to analyze Arlene´s familial and the subsequent social scapegoating in order to show how women are shaped by a society in which the most moral institutions, such as family and religion, justify violation and oppression.
Table of Contents
1. TRAPPED INSIDE SOCIETY OR EVE – AN IMPROVED VERSION OF ADAM
Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the extent to which society and its patriarchal structures influence the protagonist Arlene in Marsha Norman's play "Getting Out." The central research question explores whether Arlene's criminal path and personal struggles are products of societal conditioning and the male-dominated environment she inhabits, ultimately questioning if true liberation from these societal "crypts" is possible.
- Feminist and psychoanalytic interpretation of character oppression
- The role of family and religion as societal institutions of control
- Analysis of the "crypt" theory in relation to female identity and trauma
- Social scapegoating of women as a means of preserving patriarchal power
- The cyclical nature of socialization and the limitations of individual agency
Excerpt from the Book
TRAPPED INSIDE SOCIETY OR EVE – AN IMPROVED VERSION OF ADAM
This term paper will show to what a great extent society is influenced by men. I suggest that in Marsha Norman´s play “Getting Out” her protagonist Arlene would never have faced so many problems in life, let alone would have become criminal, if men did not possess such a great power over society. Men being in power throughout the world was certainly the worst thing that could ever have happened in human history, Arlene being a representative of all the women living and having lived on earth, even if a very extreme one. But in favor of men, I claim that men are not really guilty either because society has become autonomous and cannot be controlled anymore.
The basis for my thesis is Gretchen Cline´s essay entitled “The Impossibility of Getting Out – The Psychopolitics of the family in Marsha Norman´s Getting Out” which contains feminist, psychoanalytic and existential frameworks to show Arlene Holsclaw´s oppression within a family that parallels the institutions that bind her. Cline herself uses Walter Davis´ theory of the “crypt” to analyze Arlene´s familial and the subsequent social scapegoating in order to show how women are shaped by a society in which the most moral institutions, such as family and religion, justify violation and oppression.
Summary of Chapters
1. TRAPPED INSIDE SOCIETY OR EVE – AN IMPROVED VERSION OF ADAM: This chapter establishes the thesis that Arlene acts as a representative figure for women oppressed by a patriarchal social order, utilizing the psychoanalytic theory of the "crypt" to explain her struggle against institutions that demand her conformity.
Keywords
Marsha Norman, Getting Out, Arlene Holsclaw, Feminism, Psychoanalysis, Social Scapegoating, Patriarchal Oppression, Crypt Theory, Socialization, Gender Roles, Institutional Control, Existentialism, Female Identity, Human Rights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates the influence of societal and patriarchal structures on the life and criminal behavior of Arlene, the protagonist of Marsha Norman's play "Getting Out."
What are the primary themes analyzed in the text?
Key themes include the institutional oppression of women, the psychoanalytic concept of "crypts," the role of family and religion in social control, and the systemic scapegoating of individuals who deviate from societal norms.
What is the central research question?
The paper seeks to determine if Arlene’s struggles and her history of criminal activity are inevitable consequences of a society that suppresses female desire and enforces male dominance, questioning the possibility of genuine liberation.
Which scientific methodology is employed in this study?
The author employs a combination of feminist, psychoanalytic, and existential frameworks, specifically utilizing Walter Davis’ theory of the "crypt" to interpret the dramatic developments within the play.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The body analyzes various character interactions—specifically Arlene’s relationships with Bennie and her mother—to demonstrate how social institutions reproduce themselves and force individuals into cycles of humiliation and conformity.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as patriarchy, psychoanalytic criticism, institutional oppression, female identity, and the systemic scapegoating of women.
How does the author interpret the significance of the "crypt" in Arlene's life?
The "crypt" is interpreted as a psychological defense mechanism where Arlene buries traumatic experiences (such as childhood abuse) to adapt to a society that effectively creates her delinquency by denying her genuine desires.
What conclusion is drawn regarding the "hopeful" ending of the play?
The author argues that while the title suggests a "getting out," true liberation is portrayed as nearly impossible, viewing the play’s ending as a potential product of societal pressure rather than a realistic resolution for the protagonist.
- Quote paper
- Stephanie Wössner (Author), 1999, Trapped inside society or Eve - an improved version of Adam, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1566
