A Midsummer Night's Dream

Act I

A Midsummer Night’s Dream starts out in Athens and there are a few characters that I want to mention. Egeus has a daughter named Hermia.  He has promised a man named Demetrius that Hermia will marry him, but problems arise when Hermia wants to marry a man named Lysander.  Therefore, Egeus brings his problems to Theseus, the duke of Athens, to complain about his daughter and tell her that she could be sent to a nunnery or put to death because of this.  Do you think that Egeus was just being a typical father for that day and age or do you think that he is overreacting?  I personally think that Egeus was doing what any father in Athens would do at that time.  When Egeus is explaining the problem to Theseus, Lysander steps in and points out that Demetrius did once loves Hermia’s friend, Helena but he bailed on her for Helena.  “The course of true love never did run smooth,” (I.i.134).  Do you think that Lysander has a point?  Why do you think Demetrius wants to marry Hermia if it is obvious that she dislikes him?  Already in the play I think that there is a lot of irony going on.  

*Done by Danielle Mumm*

TDS Feminist Analysis

In an analysis of "The Death of a Salesman" from a feminist view, the woman of the play are treated as less important then the men.  They are disrespected and are not held as high as the men.  One of the primary examples of this is Linda.  Throughout the play, Linda is patient, loving, and helpful, yet even these qualities are ignored by the men of the play. Her husband, Willy, treats her with complete disrespect. He constantly cuts her off and ignores her advice.  An example is when Willy says,

  “Willy: Why do you get American When I like Swiss?

  Linda: I just thought you’d like a change—

  Willy: I don’t want a change! I want Swiss cheese. Why am I      always being contradicted?” (Page 26).

He gets angry with her when she does not do as he commands.  He treats her as if she is there to serve him, and in return he provides for her.  Yet, Linda, with love and patience, puts up with him.  These same qualities are seen in her sons, Biff and Happy. They too cut Linda off and ignore her.  Another place where the mistreatment of women occur is in Biff and Happy's relationships with women.  The two boys seen to use women to their advantage and pleasure.  They often speak lower of women and how they are tools of pleasure. An example of this is when Happy states,

  Happy: Yeah, that was my first time—I think. Boy, there was a pig! They laugh, almost crudely. You taught me everything I know about women. Don’t forget that” (Page 29).

This shows their complete disrespect and mindset towards women.  Finally, there is the passive role Linda takes against all the abuse she is dealt. Linda is taken for granted constantly, yet she never retaliates, nor does she stand up for herself. She simply takes it and moves on. She seems to accept her role and position in the family.  For example, she shows this patience when willy yells at her, 

  “Willy: Why don’t you open a window in here, for God’s sake?

  Linda, with infinite patience: They’re all open, dear” (Page 26).

She is reliant on Willy for income, and in return she takes care of the house when he is gone. She then takes care of the men when they return home, who do not appreciate her for it. Linda, is the prime example of the feminist view in "The Death of a Salesman."