The Vagina Monologues

5)Audience reaction is crucial to Ensler’s overall project. Why? Why won’t she allow us to simply read without having a reaction, whether positive or negative? Why do you think she wants to push us out of our comfort zones? Which monologues resonate most strongly (positively or negatively) with you and why?

When starting this whole project, Eve Ensler must have known and anticipated that a topic such as vaginas would cause some sort of reaction. Publicly discussing a topic that many people find uncomfortable is going to cause some stir in the audience. I find it impossible for anyone to sit there and read from this book and not have any reaction at all. This project that started off as a few plays based off of interviews with women, became this phenomenon across college campuses, states, and even countries! It could not have progressed so far through our society and so fast, if it were not for the reactions of an audience. I do think that Ensler is pushing her audience and the world outside of our comfort zones to create thought provoking ideas. By making her audience read, silently or aloud, topics that make them feel uncomfortable; maybe after reading or talking about it enough it will become less uncomfortable. Ensler wants us to become informed of topics in this book such as rape and abuse, which are topics that people throw under the bus. Many people avoid talking about certain topics, such as the vaginas or rape or penises, because they find it awkward, inappropriate, and confusing. What I think that she is doing is forcing the public to recognize these topics and become accustomed to them; she doesn't want the audience to feel ashamed or embarrassed at the topic. These stories are sad, funny, sarcastic, informative, and so much more. You can find strong, powerful character voice  and emotion in stories such as My Village Was My Vagina, The Angry Vagina, and The Flood. If anyone asks you why or what about it makes you squirm, you may not be able to articulate an answer. Ensler’s book pulls the audience out of their comfort zone, to inform and challenge themselves to prepare for a better understanding of the topic. Each part of this book is filled with emotion and having a response is vital while reading them.