Writing Assignment, Comedy, Culture and Truth.
200 words.
Examine the satirical play The Female of The Species by Joanna Murray-Smith. The play is about the second-wave feminist movement in the latter half of the 20th century, versus feminism today. (Hint: the main character of the play is reputedly based on feminist writer Germaine Greer.) As you read the play, keep an eye out for where you laugh, chuckle or smile. Put a little checkmark next to the moment. Then, when done reading the play, identify one, single, specific comic moment—a turn of events, a funny line—preferably a moment that makes you laugh—and identify what that moment says about feminism. A funny moment in a comedy is often an expression of some truth, and in a satirical play such as this one, it’s often a cultural truth—specifically, something about feminism. So, I identify the comic moment, and tell us what truth is behind it or what ir reveals.
