Machinal’s Representation of Gender

The representation of gender particularly in the then(prenominal) has been strongly manifested in theater, music, dance, and other performance practices. Most of the time, these performances aim to research gender dissimilitude which is one of the nearly contr everyplacesial political dos in history especially during the early 20th century. The issue of gender inequality seems to be an unending concern that is still highly debated in the present-day(a) world. Humans cultural, religious, and social orientation differences make this subject timeless. A womans social role in history is imprisoned and regimented to home, motherhood, and sexual partner.In the past, these constructed social roles given to women used to prevent them from being involved in politics and many social activities which, as a result, hindered them to fully explore their potentials and capability. The dissolution Machinal written by Sophie Treadwell is more thanover one of the literary pieces that subtly illustrate how women were treated and approached in history. Helen, the chief(prenominal) protagonist of the play, is trapped in a male dominated federation bound by the trend of forced marriage were love is considered unnecessary.The play principal(prenominal)ly features a woman who, after seeing the reality of her situation, is encourage to perform wickedness. Machinal is a tragedy and drama which presents the events from the point of view of a young woman. The first episode of the play with the office as the main setting shows the authentic personality of the young woman. Her lack of interest and centralize in an office work manifested in her tardiness shows that she feels subdued by her work. She cannot radix the stifling crowd in the subway who seem to enjoy their routinary job.The sounds of gondola going, which continue throughout the scene intentionally illustrate the machine- identical quality of the environ (Treadwell 1). Office or secretarial work given to women s ymbolizes their lack of chance in career world. The sound of clattering typewriters, adding machines, and ringing telephones metaphorically depicts the confined and heavy world of women during 1920s. They were perceived as the inferior gender not honourable physically but intellectually, limiting their chances to engage in a more competitive and challenging job.However, as a young woman caliber for newly kind adventure, love, and life, Helen does not fit in such a constricted work environment. The character of Helen depicts the emergence of modern American women who make up woken up to the reality that women are more than how the rules of order perceives them. At that time, women like Helen were starting to unconsciously establish a mentality that they convey much to offer beyond the confines of home and motherhood. Demoralized in her new role as a mother, Helens discouragement from the birth of her miss in episode four is only one of the consequences highlighted in a marri age devoid of emotion.Her total dependency on her husband financially forced her to stay in a loveless marriage and at last made her conform to the given roles. Thus, this episode suggests that, just like most women in the early 20th century, Helen married for the purpose of financial protective covering and position. Most women at that time were willing participants or victims who totally conformed to the societys standard. However, when Helen met a man who introduced her to the new experience of momentary passion, she in the long run realized how society has confined her and how her husband, George, has unconsciously dominated her every decision.With her feelings of hopelessness, Helen headstrong to murder her husband to free herself from the constraints of the society. The story or play was created during 1920s when there was already an emergence of womens movement by the assort of feminists in the U. S. that sought for equality with men. The abstract presentation and discus sion over womens status that started from 1846 encouraged different kinds of literature to explore the issue of gender inequality (Imbornoni). The character of Helen presents a subtle reality in the past that inspires and reminds contemporary women that they must enjoy a wider freedom they have right now.