women violence snd

point

aggression in the plays not purely targeted at the female protagonists -it is a widespread, normalised force used to control and silence women across the social spectrum.

See the ubiquity of violence against women

Stella - scene 3

“Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh” SD -SND violence repeatedly used as an act of punishment especially towards women

-Resorts to sexual violence when Stella defies him

“It makes me so mad when he does that in front of people” Stella - Further highlights how corrupt the setting has become as domestic violence is commonplace in the home - public acts tolerated

“She backs out of sight. He advances and disappears” SD - Reminding us it is a tragedy by the us of the Greek tragic conventions where all deaths happened off stage

• highlights the destructive nature of their relationship, encapsulating the cycle of control and submission.

Eunice - scene 5

“Eunice’s voice shouts in a terrible wrath”

“(Shrieking)” “You hit me” “angry roar”

Ubiquity of violence in this world - omnipresence

external world encroaching on internal - influencing

even though living wit domestic violence they are protected and less vulnerable as a woman when with them - lack of autonomy women had

ao3

Domestic violence was often dismissed or hidden.

• rise in domestic violence reflect this post-war crisis of masculinity, where men re-establish control through physical power, sexual ownership, and emotional suppression.

• Stella’s acceptance of Stanley’s abuse reflects the cultural silencing of women and the normalisation of abuse in marriage.

ao5

The violence that Stella endures is a product of the social structure she inhabits, where male aggression is not just tolerated, but celebrated.”
— Deborah E. Barker
🡒 This quote draws attention to the wider acceptance of violence in the play, showing that Stella’s submission to Stanley’s violence is part of the social order. Male aggression is not only accepted but even expected in her social sphere, emphasizing how violence extends beyond the individual act and is interwoven into the fabric of the social structure.

comparison

Public nature of this abuse contrasts Malfi - Duchess is subjected to abuse and torment but in private hidden by her brothers

In darkness “This darkness suits you well” - perhaps to help with guilt?