Lucy Burke
Digital Theatermaker Profile
Theater and Society III
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ATTRIBUTES
Language (or the lack of it)...
Glaspell worked hard to ensure women has a voice in society through the stage. She ensured that women were prominently featured in her shows and gave actresses a spotlight for fame and growth. [1] As a result of her strong-willed desire for female activism and a more “ideal” America, Glaspell believed America could be better and put this into her writings in hopes that this sentiment would affect the audience as well. [2] In addition to a more female-oriented theater, Glaspell wanted to show that creating a more unified America would need people to understand how the people around them felt. Therefore “solidarity becomes…. a source of empowerment resulting in collective improvement or self-realization”. [3] Another attribute as a theatermaker was the new way in which she used language in her plays. Many expressionist authors restricted the use of language, and consolidated what was said in order to show emotion through action more than directly telling the audience. This was evident in Glaspell’s plays as she often did not have women outwardly tell the audience how they feel about their position in society, but rather were much more reserved and thoughtful about their use of silence. [4] The well-made play was very popular at the time leading up to Glaspell’s career, but she rejected this format and used a much more nonlinear composition.
Footnotes:
1. Shafer, Yvonne. American Women Playwrights, 1900-1950.
2. Ibid
3. Jouve, Emeline. Susan Glaspell's Poetics and Politics of Rebellion. 177.
4. Burke, Sally. Feminist Playwrights: A Critical History.