Feminism and Feminisms: An Analysis of Paula Vogel and Toni Morrison’s Feminist Play Appropriations of Othello

Abstract

Numerous critics analysed Vogel and Morrison's plays using general feminist principles, i.e. general principles that feminists agree on, such as a focus on women and a critique of the patriarchal system. However, this general notion of feminism does not do justice to the multitude of feminist theories. Critics have not looked at these differing feminist theories that are portrayed by Vogel and Morrison’s plays. This thesis shall present an analysis of these plays through which it will become clear that Vogel’s play is in harmony with postmodern and lesbian feminist theories and that Morrison’s play is in agreement with transnational and black feminism. Moreover, this analysis of distinctive feminist principles shows that the plays are in conflict with each other. Vogel’s appropriation, and thus postmodern and lesbian feminism, emphasises the differences between women and the difficulty of forming a sisterhood. On the contrary, Morrison’s Desdemona, and transnational and black feminism, focuses on the potential for sisterhood to transcend the differences between women. This play also empowers men, which is in line with the black feminist principle to empower oppressed men and women, while Vogel’s play does not give a voice to the male characters. In sum, this thesis shall argue that if a general notion of feminism is used, as is seen in scholarly works, the conflicting feminist principles of these plays are overlooked.