The Vagina Monologues

Emily Klein’s essay, Antiwar Activism and Structures of Trauma in the Plays of Even Ensler and Kathryn Blume, encapsulates the process of social change in response to the theatrical pieces by Ensler and Blume and the development of the shows to reflect the increasing trauma present in society due to the Iraq War. The author discusses the stages of trauma and the feelings the playwrights tried to resonate to the audience like absence, repetition and memory. Klein also debates the changes in the style of writing before the war in relation to the country’s aura post-war. One of the purposes of the plays The Vagina Monologues, The Lysistrata Project, The Accidental Activist, and The Treatment is to create a sense of community in the audience and across the nation as the shows act as a way to share ownership for the trauma experienced by the soldiers and other people in the world. These shows were each created in their own unique way to meet the needs of the community and their need to be heard in order to inspire social change. The article ends with a dialogue that …show more content…
While activism has no limit, neither does the causes of the pain and suffering. The world is constantly getting worse and the effects of plays like Ensler’s and Blume’s seem to be lost in the shadow of suffering. However, the idea of the impossible task is noted and used as a tactic to still inspire action within the article. There will always be unfinished business but that is no reason to stop the good work being done today. The ripple effect will continue to spread, especially when aided by theatre and a visual of the trauma that needs to be addressed. Klein’s essay allows the reader to see a glimpse of what other people are trying to educate others about and in turn encourages the reader to learn about social change and how they can