Women s Compromises

1. Women�s Compromises Top Girls By Caryl Churchill

3. What is the significance of women�s compromise in Top Girls? Central theme Women can have independence or emotional freedom (to love and be loved). Not both. Must choose one and sacrifice other. Churchill illustrates point through creating variety of women different decisions and different consequences carefully created through language and structure. Churchill does not judge, just presents situation.

4. Past and present. ALL women have made compromises. Timelessness of women�s plight. Marlene: �Oh God, why are we all so miserable?� (p. 18) Act 1: Representation of all women coming together in celebration of Marlene, a woman who appears to have not sacrificed for independence. = Irony. Men take for granted freedom which women celebrate. Emphasises compromises of Marlene and Joyce. Churchill historic characters accentuate modern day situation otherwise taken for granted. Audience is entertained by Act 1. Relate to Act 3

5. Characterisation Play must be engaging. Audience has to relate to character. Churchill creates diverse characters ->universal nature of women�s sacrifice -> Churchill characterises through language. Diction, syntax portrays character. Act 1: character created through story. Theme compromise shown through confusion. Many characters speak same time. Variety syntax and tones(p. 25 Griselda, Nijo, Joan, Isabella, Marlene). Act 3: Character created more through language. Churchill gives each character manner through choice of diction, syntax.

6. Joan and Griselda Joan and Griselda compromises = extreme examples of Marlene and Joyce compromises. True of most Act 1 characters. Example: Isabella talking about when she left home, �But I couldn�t stay in Scotland. I loathed the constant murk,� (p. 2). Echoes Marlene�s attitude toward leaving home.

7. Pope Joan Confident and business like. Shows intellectual freedom and status. Churchill shows through intelligent, careful language and conduct in conversation. States, rather than chats, �Death is the return of all creatures to God,� ( p.4). woman who actually became a �man� to be Pope. �I didn�t live a woman�s life. I don�t understand it,� (p. 24) Theme: sacrificing womanhood for men�s freedom. Joan: lost baby to fulfil role as Pope. Ultimate woman�s sacrifice. Churchill shows desperation of women for freedom.

8. Griselda Very different from Joan. Churchill shows no woman lives full, happy life. Portrayed as good-natured, forgiving, womanly.Language is na�ve and submissive, �Of course, I loved them,� (p. 25). Passive phrases, �I could see why��. Shows freedom of sentiment and gender. Griselda: gave up independence and many personal rights to be wife. �But of course a wife must obey her husband,� (p. 21) Gave up children to keep love of her husband.

9. Marlene and Joyce Through Marlene and Joyce Churchill brings the issue of women�s compromises into modern situation. Audience can better relate. Marlene and Joyce are sisters. Same situations. Different decisions. Both sacrifice. Audience cannot argue decision. Shows compromise for women is inevitable.

10. Marlene Brisk businesswoman, Churchill shows through language and response to others, commanding tone, �Stop getting at me then, you�re really boring,� (p. 76). Determined, pushy (success not easy) revealed though aggressive speech. Repetition. (p. 78 READ) Independence revealed through freedom of speech. Harsh diction suggests lack of sensitivity, �Don�t you fucking this fucking that fucking bitch�� (p. 79) Successful. Other women gathered to celebrate her. Other hand: gave up child (Angie). Left family. Resentful: �So, it�s just your mother is it�� (p. 78)

11. Clearly illustrates character compromises as well as physical. Marlene does not recognise value of others � not had opportunity to be with family, raise child. Wrapped up in fighting for self. �I left home, so what, I left home. People do leave home/ it is normal� (p. 78)

12. Joyce Poor, bitter, down-to-earth, but more mature and sensitive than Marlene. Reflected in calmer, more concerned language, �Will you be alright on the sofa?� (p. 76) Adopted Angie (Marlene�s baby) � giving up opportunity for professional success like Marlene.Lost own baby looking after Angie. However: has place in family, child and perhaps more honest to herself than Marlene. Talking about visiting mother: �How would I feel if I didn�t go,� (p. 79).

13. Children All 4 characters give up children! Joan: cannot admit pregnancy. Baby dies. Marlene: cannot keep baby and be independent. Baby goes to Joyce. Griselda: Must obey husband. Gives children up. Joyce: Exhausted looking after Angie, has miscarriage with own baby.

14. Children = a symbol of complete womanhood. Involve both love and independence, which no woman has. In play, no woman would voluntarily lose child. Forced to to retain their freedom. Marlene and Joan - striving for independence- cannot acknowledge their womanhood if they want to succeed in the men�s world. Griselda and Joyce- trying to hold traditional womanly roles -forced to give up themselves (their children) for the love of others.

15. Conclusion Churchill saying that all women must make a decision which results in the sacrifice of a vital aspect of their lives. Compromise independence for love and womanhood or vice versa. Illustrated through Joan and Marlene, and Griselda and Joyce. Compromises not only affect woman�s physical situation but change character. Marlene: successful and wealthy but is slightly cold and self-centred. Lost womanliness. Churchill saying women must behave like men to succeed.. Churchill does not judge: presents situations of harsh reality for the audience to draw conclusions.