Modern Shakespeare, Wednesday, Period 1 & 2

[glacial_queen]

"We briefly touched on feminism in our last class," Karla said, handing out summaries of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew as well as a very basic introduction to the concept of feminism. "This play has vexed feminists and feminist scholars for years with its depiction of the relationship between the two main characters and the change in Kate from the beginning of the play-within-a-play to the end of it. While you're watching today's movie, I want you to keep that in mind. Is the relationship in the movie better than the one in the play? Do you believe in Kate's transformation--and what do you think of it? How do you feel about her father's rules?"

as always, there was popcorn to be had while the movie played, and comfortable chairs and beanbags for the students to sprawl out on. Karla, of course, had very strong feelings about both the movie and the play that inspired it, but then, she was from a matriarchy. She looked forward to hearing what her students had to say about it.

Comments

Discussion Question 1

[glacial_queen]

How do you feel about Kate's father's rules? How would you react if your parents or guardians declared something similar?

Re: Discussion Question 1

[intotheout]

"Um." Tip said. "My mom kind of . . . forgot to do rules? For most of my life. So when she finally got around to it, it didn't really go well." If you could call running away to Saturn 'not going well'. "So I know I would just kinda -- not listen. But it's probably different for someone who's used to having parents set their boundaries."

Re: Discussion Question 1

[glacial_queen]

"That's the trouble with any position of power," Karla said wryly, Queen and mother both. "You're only in power for as long as everyone else agrees you're in power. Once they stop agreeing, you either lose it or find another way to hold onto it. And those ways are generally unpleasant."

Re: Discussion Question 1

[intotheout]

"Yeah, I kinda always mostly pretended she was in power," Tip agreed. She'd done a lot of humoring her mother's whims in her early years, and then cleaning up the messes in the background.

It was entirely possible Tip had done her mother's taxes at least once.

Re: Discussion Question 1

[glacial_queen]

"So you grew up independent and now resent your mother's attempts to act like she's in charge," Karla said. "Why should she bother now when she didn't do so before?"

Re: Discussion Question 1

[intotheout]

"Exactly. And I've more than proved by now that I can take care of myself." They had this argument back home all the time. It was a big part of why Tip was now here. "I mean, don't get me wrong. My mom's really great. Just not, you know, at the life management stuff."

Tip's mom had actually proven herself to be very capable of handling the life management stuff over the last couple years. Tip just hadn't gotten past the first 11, when she was terrible at it.