A Few Good Women: Break Through Roles in Three War Plays

Author

Bobby Ellis Pelts, University of Mississippi

Date of Award

1-1-2009

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

First Advisor

Colby Kullman

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

A Few Good Women: Break Through Roles in Three War Plays (Under the direction of Colby Kullman)

This thesis explores the roles played by women in three war plays: Lysistrata by Aristophanes, Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht, and A Piece ofMy Heart by Shirley Lauro. The thesis describes the ways in which the characters of each of these plays defy traditional social expectations of women in wartime. These characters challenge the ideals of femininity and "proper" behavior while defying the typical roles of wife, mother, and nurse in war. The thesis argues that the context of war allows the characters of the plays to develop new standards of womanhood and accepted "feminine" behavior. Finally, the thesis explores the plays as antiwar literature as well as feminist works and looks forward to expanding roles for women in wartime as well as in peace operations.

Recommended Citation

Pelts, Bobby Ellis, "A Few Good Women: Break Through Roles in Three War Plays" (2009). Honors Theses. 2787.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2787

Accessibility Status

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