Which of the two characters is stronger Essay Example
Which of the two characters is stronger Essay Example

Which of the two characters is stronger Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1276 words)
  • Published: October 24, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Great Britain's dominion is swiftly growing.

Despite being the most advanced, wealthy, and powerful state in the world with colonies like India, we had a primitive view of sexual equality during Queen Victoria's reign. Even though our Monarch was a woman, she was known for saying 'we are not amused' and labeling unmarried actresses as 'the line between entertainment and a whore, a line which is often crossed.' People in everyday middle to upper-class life lived by the notion that women were inferior to men in all respects. British literature like Oliver Twist depicted heroic women like 'Nancy' and the suffragette movement gained momentum as women fought to be seen as equals. The Stronger, written by Swedish author August Strindberg, was met with varying degrees of acceptance by those who still held chauvinistic views.

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The play consists of a monologue piece with two characters but just one speaker.

Both actresses, one married and one unmarried, are featured in this interesting mix. At the time, unmarried actresses were viewed as 'whores', adding to the intrigue. Miss Y is seen drinking from a beer bottle in public, defying typical female behavior of the time. She is reading an illustrated paper when Mrs. X appears, suggesting that Strindberg may have still been adhering to traditional views. Mrs. X is surprised to see Miss Y alone and asks why she is there.

What X fails to grasp is that by exploiting the loneliness of Miss. Y, she is being hypocritical, since she too is alone. Despite the hurt caused, Miss. Y refrains from retaliating and emerges as the stronger one in the altercation with the immature X. X gains an advantage by

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feigning concern over Miss. Y's solitary state on Christmas Eve in a cafe, thus preying on her vulnerability and leveraging her sole advantage of loneliness.

After knocking Y, Mrs. X indulges in bragging to feel superior by flaunting her money and details of a lavish wedding in a Paris cafe, showcasing her trip to Paris. Although Mrs. X appears to be the stronger one, her interruption of Y's defense shows her weakness when Y attempts to speak. Furthermore, she also ridicules the solitary cafe dweller in Miss.

It becomes awkward when the regular customer of the cafe discovers Mrs. Y's usual order, a hot chocolate, without her having ordered it. Mrs. Y, being an actress, manages to hide her discomfort and feign ignorance. Mrs. X now thinks she has the advantage.

'As I previously mentioned,' Mrs. X exhibits a somewhat self-absorbed demeanor as she asserts her superiority over Y, reminding others of her correctness. Adhering strictly to societal conventions, she scorns Y's choices and belittles her with remarks such as 'You'd have done a lot better to have stuck to him,' and 'Well dear, home is best, then theatre, then children but you wouldn't realise that.' Despite her criticizing Y's life choices, it is evident that Mrs. X's underlying weakness and insecurity as an insecure bully remains.

The tide shifts when Miss Y gives a disdainful gaze, prompting Mrs. X to launch an aggressive assault. Mrs. X flaunts her riches, exemplifying that in those times wealth equated to joy, by presenting Christmas gifts to her family and displaying them to the visibly less fortunate Y.

X, either being wealthy or having more people to buy for, is the only moment

in my opinion where she truly outshines Y in the script. X aims the pop-gun at Y and shoots it, possibly fulfilling some twisted desire to eliminate 'Y.' Afterwards, X attempts to downplay this act with self-mocking humor, stating "If you tried to shoot kill me - that wouldn't be at all surprising!" Although using humor to poke fun at one's quirks can demonstrate inner strength and confidence, in this instance it reveals a sense of vulnerability and fragility.

The power dynamic has shifted as Y has become stronger, assuming complete control. By addressing her spouse as "Lord and Master," X conforms to the traditional role of a Victorian woman. Y begins to reminisce about the past.

X imitates numerous amusing remarks made by Bob, whom Y is evidently familiar with. One of the things X mimics is "Weather like this!" But then, X embarks on a prolonged introspective and self-deprecating rant. "I'm aware he's loyal - so you don't need to laugh," she asserts, indicating that she was previously in denial. It's perplexing why Bob (her spouse) confided in X about rejecting women despite being known for being a ladies' man.

As Y gains complete control, X starts to feel condescending in an attempt to prove that Y poses no harm. When Y curiously observes Mrs. X, she feels a tinge of pity towards her.

After cementing her strength over Mrs. X, the speaker contemplates using it for good to help X, but only up until the point of X's potential downfall. Reflecting on their odd acquaintance, the speaker admits to having been afraid of X from the beginning. However, the bombshell drops when the speaker reveals

that Y and Bob initially despised each other until Y became engaged and mysteriously began to like Bob. Mrs. X is left to process this shocking revelation.

X initially suspected a hidden relationship between two individuals and decided to put them to the test by having them share a kiss at a christening. However, their discomfort was not due to being in a committed relationship, but rather feeling tested while performing a private act in public. This realization caused X to become anxious and hasten her actions.

Simultaneously, she experiences significant realizations, including her accusation towards Y for being silent. Nevertheless, she finds fault in herself as she did not allow Y to speak in her defense, disregarding Y's perspective. Despite this, Y remains resolute. X also inquires about the reason for the broken engagement and acknowledges Bob's genuine love for Miss Y. X recognizes that Bob shapes her into a replica of Y by instructing her to carry out similar tasks.

'Because of you, I had to endure working with those detestable tulips on his slippers - the same ones you love! Because of your aversion to salt water, we vacation at Lake Malarn during the summer. Our son's name is Eskil, following the tradition of your father's name. In addition, I am obligated to wear your favourite colours, read your preferred authors, eat your preferred food, and even drink your cherished beverages - like chocolate! You have imposed every aspect of your being upon me - even dictating our preferences in intimate matters.' Bob transformed Mrs. X into a replica of his lost love, without disclosing why.

After departing, X exits with force, leaving Y equally strong.

Y is left weakened by Amelia's unforgettable words: "Thank you, Amelia, for teaching me and my husband how to love."

X has come to the realization that despite being forced to live under the rules of Y, she has gained something valuable - Bob. Despite Y's dominance throughout the play, X recognizes that she has benefited from her current situation and is now heading home to show her love to Bob.

Despite X's tendency to be petty and childish by hurling insults and taking advantage of Y's loneliness, Y manages to remain strong throughout most of the plot. However, in the final two lines, X does something unexpected: she acknowledges her weakness, and uses Y to advance her own interests. As a result, X experiences a significant growth and development during the play, ultimately emerging as the stronger of the two characters.

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