The Controversial Monologues About Women

The Vagina Monologues can be hilariously entertaining and disgustingly offensive.  It can be a source of fundraising for women’s anti-violence groups and a source of endless heated disputes.  Without question it is a complex topic with many angles and viewpoints. 

Personally I found “I Was Twelve, My Mother Slapped Me”, “My Angry Vagina”, and “The Flood” extremely funny.  A few women performed “I Was Twelve…” which described different reactions to the first menstrual period as experienced by girls and young women of varying ages.  Wrongs against the vagina were rattled off in “My Angry Vagina”.  The wrongs included things such as metal speculums, tampons, and douches.  These two pieces were entertaining to me because I could relate to certain aspects of each.  However, I enjoyed “The Flood” for a different reason.  This piece was about an older woman that stated she closed off access to “down there” after a humiliating incident she experienced as a young girl on a date with a boy.  I couldn’t relate to this woman’s experience at all, but the lack of connection coupled with the delivery of this story made it enjoyable.  Although, in retrospect, it’s frustrating that she would allow one incident to control such an important aspect of her life.

Now flipping to the other side of the coin; “The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could” was offensive and a disservice to the homosexual community.  If an underlying reason of this piece was to draw attention to homosexual issues, then it was done in extremely poor taste.  This event was a one night stand, but even if this encounter developed into a long term commitment the action is still not justified.   The monologue recounts multiple sexually traumatic incidents a young girl experienced during childhood.  The woman relays her first sexual experience, at the age of sixteen, with an older woman.  Although the monologue speaks of this event in a positive and consensual light it doesn’t escape the fact that it was statutory rape and involved the intoxication of a minor.  Statutory rape occurs between same sex individuals and heterosexuals, but the point is these actions are not typical or representative of either community at large.  This teen has a history of sexual attacks by males, but suddenly it’s presumed acceptable when she’s violated by a successful woman with an air of “don’t fret over the age technicality”.  The older woman goes on to instruct the teen in masturbation as an alternative to reliance on a man for sexual pleasure.  The implication of this “lesson” is that heterosexuality and masturbation are the norm for sexual pleasure while homosexuality is abnormal and taboo.  It’s reprehensible!

The complexity of The Vagina Monologues is easily noted by anyone that has ever watched it.  In one light, the audience can find a connection to the women represented on stage which makes it difficult to light the torches and bring out the pitchforks, especially, when proceeds of this show aid a very worthy cause.  In another light, it can be one more offensive weapon forged in the fires ignorance and bias.  The contention continues.