Reflection

By reading the Vagina Monoluges, and having th oppurtunity to perform in the production open my eyes to a lot of things! One of Eve Enslers main purposes for writting The Vagina Monoluges was, in my opinion, to open p the mids of not only men, but a lot of women regarding female exuality. By reading all of the monoluges, and going through the emotional rollercoaster you experience throughout the book, I felt a sense of smpowernment, and a more undertanding of my body, mind, and soul. As a womam your expected to do all sorts of things, no questions asked , and when reading the stories in the book, you start to ask questions, and think outside the box. I believe thats exactly what Eve Ensler wanted to do to the audience. She wanted us to question, and re-think what we coinsidered to be 'norm'. While reading the Vagina Monoluges i even went as far as to writing down some changes that need to occur in the 'female universe'. Overall i felt as if reading the Vagina Monoluges is extremely educational, and it allows you, as the reader to explore new depths, and arrise with many interesting questions pertaining to sexuality, and gender social awareness.

My VAGINA is ANGRY

This semester, I had the oppurtuity to actually perform in Southern Connecticut State University's production of "TheVagina Monoluges" When I firs read about the auditions i had no idea what I was getting ino. Prior to that moment, I ha never een hard of the vagina monoluges and honestly wasnt even comfortable with freely screaming the word vagina. While readibg te monoluges the first thing that came to my mind was "d i really want my mother watching me perform this?" , there were many different types of monoluges, sad, happy, humorous, and all of them included an element of shock. The word vagina is so taboo and not something people like to say freely. I was given the part of "My Angry Vagina" and enjoyed playing the role. My monolouge dealt wth the annoying simple things women go through like tampons, and gyn visits. Performing in the vagina monoluges was indeed an excellent experience, and is something i think all women should do once in thier life.

My Vagina would wear ...

There are many different names for a vagina. “Coochie-snorcher, punani, pussy, cookie, and cunt” are examples. In The Vagina Monologues Ensler demonstrates this extremely well. What we call our body parts tell a lot about the person, for example, where we come from, and the type of person we are. If you’re more shy, and quiet, you would never use slang words such as ‘pussy’ you’d stick to the traditional ‘vagina’, if you’re loud and outspoken, it would be no problem for you to scream out ‘cunt’ like the woman in the monologue ‘Reclaiming Cunt.’ In the book, she also asks a lot of women what would their vagina wear, I believe she did this to show the different personalities, and age rankings of the women. Older women would say things like “Harry Winston Diamonds, Top hats, and elegant dresses” while younger women, like the monologue with the six year old girl said this like ‘mets caps worn backwards etc.” I believe Ensler was trying to add to the painting of the women’s personalities, by asking those questions.

The Vagina Monologues

In my opinion the reason why Ensler wanted the “Vagina monologues” performed was because vagina is such a taboo word. Not many women or people in general publically discuss their vaginas or the problems we face as women. I felt as if her reasoning to talk about vaginas is so that women can embrace themselves, break out of their shell, and let the world know that they are proud to be women. In a way show people the problems, triumphs, and obstacles women have to endure silently every day. Ensler wanted vaginas to have a physical sense through her writing, meaning the words she used, and the way she described them, the audience was able to imagine, and really get a better understanding of the vagina, without actually seeing it on stage.  When you watch, or perform in the vagina monologue, it gives you a sense of empowerment. By the last monologue you get a better understanding of what women go through all of their lives, the good, the bad, embarrassing, and the ugly. All of the monologues have different tones surrounding the same topic, and they all touch different topics. For example “The Flood” although humorous, it touches a serious topic, cancer, and embarrassment.  Woman are survivors, we survive no matter the situation, and that exactly what you get a sense of through the vagina monologues.

1937

Krik? Krak! Is a collection of short stories written by a Haitian American author Edwidge Danticat. The title of the book in itself is unique. In Haiti when a story is requested the story teller would say krik? , and the audience members, ready to receive the story, would respond with krak! In the book Danticat is telling a story of her culture, heartache, love, sadness, hope, and death; painting a picture of her soul and the souls of her people. Krik? Krak! Is a book composed of Haiti’s tortured history, and the political reason which led to many fleeing the country. Let’s take a look at the story “Nineteen-thirty seven” This story was filled with sadness, and then ultimately the idea of hope. I believe the author established the transition to hope, because although you’re suffering you have to have an air of hope, and optimism or else you’re going to succumb to depression. The story was about a young girl by the name of Josephine, and her mother being incarcerated unjustly, and being labeled as a witch. The title of the story acts as a reminder, in 1937 there was a massacre against the Haitians by the people of the Dominican Republic, Josephine’s mother, and many other women, called themselves the daughters of the water because they were the ones that survived. In a way I think this fact led them to believe they were somewhat invincible, because in the text when Josephine asked her mother if the allegations of her flying were true her mother responded with “Perhaps you don’t remember. All of the women who came with us to the river, they could go to the moon and back if that is what they wanted” In the story Josephine never wanted to cry, let alone talk to her mother. I believe this was because she wanted to appear strong, and show her mother that everything was going to be alright. At the same time, the Madonna statue that they had would cry, showing that suffering wasn’t gone, and although on the outside you may look strong, on the inside you can be tearing apart.

14 Varieties of Gazelle : "My Father and the Figtree"

One of the major topics in “14 Varieties of Gazelle” is family. The author Naomi Shihab Nye valued family quite highly, and it’s evident throughout her text. For example in the poem “My father and the fig tree” the reader is allowed an insight into the father as an individual and their family background and culture. Nye tells a story in this poem, painting a picture of not only her father’s personality and character, but his longing for going back to what once was, his ‘home’. Nye showed this by using the fig tree as a symbol; the tree was something significant to her father’s childhood and was an example of what he knew to be home. Since they lived in America, it was difficult for her father to label the foreign land as home. However, he was hopeful and confident in knowing that one day he’ll find a fig tree and finally feel at home, thus connecting two cultures.   

Promoting Peace Through Literature : Naomi Shihab Nye

Naomi Shihab Nye is the first author that we’re looking at this semester. Her book of poetry “14 Varieties of Gazelle” is not only inspirational, but it allows the reader to take a deeper look into the value and need to appreciate family. In her writing Nye creates a sense of understanding, and making it aware that change starts within the individual. The poems in “14 Varieties of Gazelle” allow readers to think deeper, and go beyond the text; it pushes us, as readers, to understand not only the people around us, but the situations that life hurls us in. While reading, you get a sense of Nye’s character, and can see that she has a non-violent outlook on life, and suggests that we promote that demeanor as well. Throughout a lot of her poems there is sense of calmness, and a tone promoting generosity versus hatred. When reading In her writings Nye encourages us to connect to other people and nations, with peace and harmony leading the way.