Feminism in Sophie Treadwell's Machinal

Abstract

Sophie Treadwell's play Machinal, which was performed on September 7, 1929 , can be examined and interpreted within the framework of feminism. Generally speaking, feminism, as a theory, looks for the freedom and the independence of women in society. Besides, it calls for the elimination of differences between man and woman who are involved in social activities. In the play, Sophie Treadwell presented the dilemma of the Young Woman who lives in a society which is witnessing rapid scientific and industrial developments but these developments come at the expense of woman's freedom and her need to achieve her goals and to be treated as an equal partner in society rather than an inferior being in a society which is dominated by males. The mechanical society in which the Young Woman lives imposes its demands on her, therefore, she lives in a conflict between her personal freedom and the necessity to conform to the rules which are set by society. The young Woman submits to society which forces her first to work and to take care of her mother, then, to marry a rich man so that she and her mother will live a comfortable life. This marriage obliterates her personality and ambitions. After she marries her boss, the Young Woman feels that she is unable to adjust herself to her new marital life. First, because she does not have knowledge about marriage and sex , and second because her husband is a domineering and insensitive person who denies her the right to be a lone for sometime in order to be ready for her first night. This can be interpreted within a feminist context as a condemnation of males' domination over women and as a criticism of the marriage institution in which women have no rights to establish themselves as separate and independent beings.
 Sophie Treadwell examines and probes the character of the Young Woman depicting her confused understanding about her place in a society ruled by men and by materialistic values. This confusion leads the Young Woman to depression which is reflected in her rejection of her role as a dutiful wife and a mother. After giving birth to her baby, the Young Woman refuses to feed her baby because she is unable to accept her new role as a mother .
 Moreover, the Young Woman looks for passion which she finds in an adulterated relationship with a Young Man. After being emotionally involved in this relationship for a period of time, the Young Woman decides to kill her husband , an action which is interpreted by feminist critics as a way to escape from the confines of society and from a domineering husband whom she considered as her chief antagonist because he embodies her acquiescence to the ruling forces of social values and expectations. The play can be considered as a call for women's freedom and a change of the traditional and socially limited view about women. The success of the play can be attributed to the playwright's feminist attitudes which led her to write this play about a woman who looks for freedom and independence in a time of shifting attitudes towards the role of women in society.