1)The genre of this piece of literature is drama, meaning that Ensler wrote these monologues to be performed. Why do you think she wants vaginas to be publicly performed? Why does she want vaginas to be physically embodied? What effect does this have on the way we see and think of vaginas?
I believe that the reason Ensler wrote these monologues was for them to be performed, because as a performance they are even more powerful than they are on paper. When one reads, the emotions that the writing is trying to portray isn't as strong as if it were performed in front of you. I know that when I am reading my voice and tone stays the same no matter what I am reading.
In a performance, there is a sense of suspense as the actors take a breath or pause for emphasis. Performances are so inspiring because the actors are so good at their jobs; they can show the emotions in a dialogue and make the audience empathize, sympathize, and relate to their character. Audiences pay much more attention to a live performance than if they had to read a couple of chapters. In a performance, you can process what you are hearing so much easier than processing words being read in your mind. Actors also emphasize words, have a different tone of voice for different phrases, and lessen the awkward tension especially on a topic such as vaginas. Being able to have this book performed is brilliant and smart on Ensler's behalf because it really helps with it's purpose. The purpose of this book is to inform the audience of women's struggles, as well as be an outlet for the women in these stories. Ensler makes the reader more aware of what goes on with women, and she seems to be trying to get the audience to break out of their shells by reading about this controversial topic. As an audience, the majority of people do not like to talk about rape, sex, sexual orientation, and vaginas. This book and these performances gives the audience the "OK" to go out and talk about these awkward topics. It helps the audience to break free of their old, conservative, judgmental thoughts to tackle bigger issues such as vaginas. These monologues have helps so many people open up about their own stories, by giving personality to the characters in the book and by showing confidence in the characters and stories, seeming someone play it out for you is very convincing. "My angry vagina," the performance was as captivating and strong as it was, was because the actress poured her soul into the character. The actor felt related to the character and got really into persuading the audience of what the character really was saying. When our classmate put on the performance of "My angry vagina," I was left with the hair on my arms still raises, she was that good. She was loud, proud, moving around, interesting, and convinced us as an author to start thinking what she was thinking. If I would only have seen the monologues performed, I would be interested to see "They beat the girl out of my boy...or so they tried." There are so many powerful lessons, and emotions in this story that a chapter in a book does not to it justice. These stories relay so much to the audience that is hard to pick up on if you are not just reading the book. I think that performing such a book is a great idea and inspiring.
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