The Quest for Social Justice against Oppression in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Arden City

Abstract

This study explores the quest for social justice against oppression in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Arden City, a contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Through Iris Marion Young’s theory of structural injustice, the study explores how Wertenbaker dramatizes systemic inequality and also gendered oppression within a modern urban context. The protagonist's journey - from displacement and cross-dressing to personal and political consciousness - reflects Young’s perspective, revealing how oppression continues their existence every day. Based on Young’s categorization of oppression, the play demonstrates how Wertenbaker critiques patriarchal structures and advocates inclusive participation. Within the context of playwright’s feminist discourse, Arden City encourages young audiences to reflect on ongoing inequalities and motivates them to take responsibility. Wertenbaker does not offer a readily prepared reply to gender-based issues; instead, she reconstructs the theatrical narrative within a pedagogical and political framework, presenting a space oriented toward both the present and the future. As a result, this study brings together Wertenbaker’s feminist perspective and Young’s structural criticism within the context of the youth theatre play, scrutinizing contemporary reflections of social justice/injustice in a sociopolitical context.

Keywords

• Social justice
• Oppression
• Iris Marion Young
• Timberlake Wertenbaker
• Arden City

Timberlake Wertenbaker’ın Arden Şehri Oyununda Baskıya Karşı Sosyal Adalet Arayışı

Abstract

Bu araştırma, Timberlake Wertenbaker’ın Shakespeare’in Nasıl Hoşunuza Giderse eserinin çağdaş bir yeniden yorumu olan Arden Şehri oyununda, baskıya karşı sosyal adalet arayışını irdelemektedir. Araştırma, Iris Marion Young’un yapısal adaletsizlik kuramı aracılığıyla, Wertenbaker’ın modern bir şehir bağlamında sistematik eşitsizliği ve ayrıca toplumsal cinsiyete dayalı baskıyı teatral bağlamda nasıl değerlendirdiğini incelemektedir. Başkahramanın – yerinden edilme ve kılık değiştirmeden, kişisel ve politik farkındalığa uzanan – yolculuğu, Young’un bakış açısı çerçevesinde baskının günlük yaşamda hâlâ nasıl varlığını sürdürdüğünü ortaya koymaktadır. Young’un baskı kavramının sınıflandırmasını esas alan incelemede, söz konusu tiyatro oyunu Wertenbaker’ın ataerkil yapılara yönelik eleştirilerini ve kapsayıcı katılıma yönelik desteğinin altını çizmektedir. Yazarın ağırlıklı olarak feminist söylem içeren dramaturjisinde Arden Şehri, genç izleyicileri süregelen eşitsizlikler üzerine düşünmeye yönelterek sorumluluk üstlenmelerine teşvik etmektedir. Cinsiyet temelli sorunlara hazır bir yanıt sunmayan Wertenbaker, teatral anlatıyı pedagojik ve politik bağlamda yeniden kurgulayarak günümüz ve geleceğe yönelik bir uzam sunmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, bu araştırma hem Wertenbaker’ın feminist bakış açısını hem de Young’un yapısal eleştirisini gençlik tiyatrosu oyunu bağlamında bir araya getirerek sosyal adalet/sizlik kavramının çağdaş yansımaları sosyopolitik bağlamda değerlendirilmiştir.

Keywords

• Sosyal adalet
• Baskı
• Iris Marion Young
• Timberlake Wertenbaker
• Arden Şehri

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