The Play Miss Julie - Research Paper Example

Miss Julie Introduction: The play under the title “Miss Julie” serves as a beautiful naturalistic drama created by Swedish playwright August Strindberg in 1888. The theme of the play reflects the social norms and cultural values prevailing during the last quarter of nineteenth century under Victorian period. It was the era when society used to observe moral values in different spheres and extra marital sexual union used to be a strict taboo. Consequently, the adulterous advancements made by the members of both the sexes were looked down upon. Similarly, the play also elucidates the existence of class culture in society, where the mixing and development of intimate relationships on the part of the individuals belonging to elite stratum of society with the members of lower classes were viewed to be awkward and contrary to the traditions and conventions had been in vogue in nineteenth century Europe. It was the era when plots had started being replaced with characters. In other words, it were character(s) not the plot actually that were being concentrated upon; the reflection of which could be observed in the early twentieth century literature producing absurd theatre, stream of consciousness and other modern styles. The play under investigation not only maintains these traits of modern drama, but also elements of feminism could also be traced in its theme and scope. Character Analysis of Julie: Miss Julie is the protagonist character of the play under examination, where all the play revolves round her character. She is a young, enthusiastic and graceful girl of twenty five years, though her actions reveal her to be a foolish girl, who does not analyze any state of affairs in a critical manner. Consequently, her haste decisions and making immediate beliefs in the words of others portray her as a girl with extreme simplicity, artlessness and superficial intelligence. This potholed situation looks the outcome of the socialization process she had experienced under the supervision of her commanding mother, who not only abhorred the male folk, but also trained Julie by teaching her to keep the males under her command and sway in one way or the other. It was under the same influence that her engagements had witnessed a gloomy ending. Actually she had ordered her fiancé to jump over the horse whip in such a manner as she had trained her dog. However, his refusal to comply with her silly command led towards the termination of engagement, and break up of relationship between the two. Being the daughter of the Count, Julie enjoys a privileged status within her social fabric, and is revered and regarded as the member of esteemed ranking. Part I of the play demonstrates her emotional trauma in the wake of the breaking of her engagement, through the discussion being made between her father’s servant Jean and the cook named Kristin. Since social values prevailing those days did not recommend termination of engagements and marriages, the mishap of engagement-break appeared to be disgusting and disgraceful for the girls of high esteem. It is therefore Jean declares her mental condition to be unsteady and round the bend. Jean’s disclosure of enjoying dance bouts in the company of her mistress Miss Julie appears to be startling for Kristin, who would not believe that her lady could step down in such a manner that she has made an offer of dance to an ordinary servant at the ball. Somehow, her repeating the same act of dance offer in Kristin’s presence confirms the validity of statement Jean has already made. Since Jean has not obtained any opportunity of dancing with a girl of elite class, his fervor and delight seek no bounds. Nevertheless, Julie is unaware of the feelings her servant witnesses; nor does she realizes that such advancements of her could put the good name and reputation of her father at stake. Thus, her coquettes and flirting advancements towards Jean portray her to be mere a slave of her wishes that does not have any respect for the moral values, social norms as well as family traditions associated with his father. Apparently, Julie is commanding and authoritative towards the individuals in her service; however, in reality she has been portrayed as the girl has been unconsciously trapped into the directions cunningly made by Jean. It is therefore she looks ready to elope with him without applying mind and intellect altogether. Another noticeable evidence in support of the manifest shallowness of the protagonist includes her credulous nature and contemptuous disposition. Consequently, she is such type of an innocent and naïve girl that she can submit to even the false tales without observing least suspicion (Part II). It is therefore she has developed trust in the fake story spun by Jean regarding his love for the girl since her early childhood. Thus, such a silly girl like her could be fooled by anyone in her acquaintance. Julie’s character, as drawn out by Strindberg, not only proves her a tactless lady possessing child-like simplicity and naivety, but also her disposition and immature behavior turn her to be a haughty girl. Since lustful carnal desires tempt her to enter into immoral relationship and dissipation with the man far lower than her prestigious status, it looks that lack of fulfillment of her physical desires can force her to touch even the bottom. Her irresponsible behavior and absence of decorum attributed to the young ladies of her class make her the slave to sexual appetite, where she can easily choose a sex partner for her without taking the social and physical phenomena existing all around her (Part III). Julie does not ponder upon the words delivered from the mouth of her servant in respect of visiting the entire world and rendering his services as cook. Instead, she mistakenly takes these statements to be true feelings revealing Jean’s ambitions in life. Consequently, she encourages Jean’s thoughts, and makes an offer of providing him with the capital for turning his (false) dreams into reality by establishing a hotel for him in some peaceful land. Julie does not hesitate in devising a scheme of stealing her father’s money that could sufficient and supportive with regards to their elopement and establishing a hotel subsequently. Julie is a girl with shallow thoughtfulness and superficial intelligence. She does not look at the consequences of any of the actions she intends to take and perform. Neither she takes her decision of terminating relations with her fiancé into least consideration, nor does she feel any disgrace in making lustful advances towards her servant. In addition, her scheme of stealing her father’s cashes and wealth exhibits her moral decline, as she does not ponder upon the moral and ethical consequences of such a condemnable offence on her part. To conclude, it becomes evident that Julie appears to be a simple, naïve and tactless girl that can easily be tempted and trusted in. Being an artless young lady, she does not have any concern with the social status and prestige. On the contrary, she takes all people as her equivalent, and treats her servants in polite manners and sophistication without demonstrating slightest pride or snobbish behavior towards them, which is completely opposite of the character of Belinda portrayed by Pope in her magnificent Rape of the Lock. She is credulous, foolish and lustful girl, where lack of adequate training has turned her to be the submissive to the physical pleasures and dissipation. It is therefore, she would neither hesitate in stealing her father’s accounts, nor would feel any degradation while managing an elopement with her servant, the same scornful act that was conducted by Lydia Bennet in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Since the protagonist has not developed the habit of analyzing the words and situations, she appears to get ready to commit suicide out of sudden provocations made by the crooked, opportunist and immoral adulterer i.e. Jean (Part V). Thus, the play depicts the changing social and cultural patterns that would take place in future decades during twentieth century onward, by putting the morality and grace in a certain and grave jeopardy. Work Cited Strindberg, August Miss Julie 1888 Retrieved from http://archive.org/stream/missjulieotherpl00striiala/missjulieotherpl00striiala_djvu.txt Accessed on 03-06-2013 Read More