Sophie Treadwell- Machinal Theatrical Play Quiz

1.

How do you think Helen feels in Episode 4?

2.

Note how you could potentially stage this, try to take inspiration from theatre you've watched during the course.

3.

Do you feel the Nurse is as trapped as Helen?

4.

We know this Episode is about Helen's incapability of being a mother, but what is it really about?

A.

1920's Society expecting women to all be perfect mothers
B.

Postnatal depression and anxiety (which sadly wasn't a researched illness in the 20's)
C.

Men (the Doctor and George) interfering with female issues and intrufing individual experience.
D.

The censorship of female voices
E.

All of the above

Correct Answer
E. All of the above

Explanation
The correct answer is "All of the above." This means that the episode is not only about Helen's incapability of being a mother, but also encompasses the societal expectations placed on women to be perfect mothers in the 1920s, the lack of understanding and research on postnatal depression and anxiety during that time, the interference of men in female issues and individual experiences, and the censorship of female voices.

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5.

At the time of writing Machinal, what was Treadwells status?

A.

Married
B.

Divorced
C.

Married with kids
D.

Widowed

Correct Answer
A. Married

Explanation
Sophie Treadwell Married her Husband in 1910, their marriage was said to be independent and accepting of each other's differences. (A very modern marriage of their time) Her beloved William O. McGeehan was certainly NOT the inspiration for Machinal. Nor Episode 4.

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6.

True or false? "Helen just doesn't want to be a mother"

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
Helen is unsure and feels rushed to become a mother. If you read the text, you will notice that all questions she's asked in this scene are asked for her. This is what I meant by the censorship of female voices. This is a man's world and Helen finds herself voiceless in it. We cannot tell if she genuinely despises her daughter or is just afraid. One thing for certain is she is visably suffering from her bad experiences.

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7.

Who does Helen challenge in her Monoluge at the end of the episode?

A.

George (Her Husband)
B.

The Doctors
C.

The Nurse
D.

God

Correct Answer
D. God

Explanation
When the two doctors and the nurse leave, Helen finally speaks. Her words are dissociative and strange, including the following fragmented phrases: “Let me alone—let me alone—let me alone—I’ve submitted to enough—I won’t submit to anymore”; “everybody loves God—they’ve got to—got to—got to love God—God is love—even if he’s bad they got to love him—even if he’s got fat hands”; “Let me rest—now I can rest—the weight is gone—inside the weight is gone—it’s only outside—outside—all around—weight—I’m under it”; “I’ll not submit any more—I’ll not submit—I’ll not submit—.” When the lights go out, the riveting sound swells in the darkness and blends with the notes of an electric piano. - Sourced from https://www.litcharts.com/lit/machinal/episode-4-maternal

In her world, George is much like God; a powerful male figure whose word is seemingly law.

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8.

Which of the following quotes present a strong change in Helen's meek character? (Click all that apply)

A.

"I’ve submitted to enough—I won’t submit to any more"
B.

"I’ll rest—I’ll lie down"
C.

“Aren’t you glad it’s a girl?...You’re not! Oh, my! That’s no way to talk! Men want boys—women ought to want girls.”
D.

“I smell everything then.”
E.

“I’ll not submit any more—I’ll not submit—I’ll not submit—.”

Correct Answer(s)
A. "I’ve submitted to enough—I won’t submit to any more"
E. “I’ll not submit any more—I’ll not submit—I’ll not submit—.”

Explanation
The quotes "I’ve submitted to enough—I won’t submit to any more" and "I’ll not submit any more—I’ll not submit—I’ll not submit—." present a strong change in Helen's meek character. These quotes demonstrate her refusal to continue submitting or obeying others, indicating a newfound assertiveness and determination to stand up for herself.

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9.

True or False? "Due to the fact she had no children, Sophie Treadwell had no clue or experience in motherhood. This episode of the play is just a radical feminist statement on society"

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
Yes...But NO. Treadwell at this point in her life had loads of experience in journalism. She was raised solely by her mother with few visits to her father. She had seen fragile, trapped, and frightened women struggle to meet the expectations of men. Although she, herself, was in a happy and stable marriage full of love and freedom, she knew fully well what a broken home and a broken mother looked like.

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