“East West, Home’s Best”: Feminist Politics of Sue Townsend in Bazaar and Rummage

Yıl 2021, Cilt: 22 Sayı: 2, 19 - 33, 04.01.2022

Özlem Özmen Akdoğan

Öz

This paper discusses the social reasons for agoraphobia as a psychological disorder as observed in the women characters of British playwright Sue Townsend’s issue-based play Bazaar and Rummage (1982). The depiction of three agoraphobic women in a context characterised by patriarchal dominion constitutes the core of Townsend’s play. Although their problematic condition is presented rather comically, from their accounts, it seems apt to argue that societal oppression is the reason for their long-lasting seclusion and constant fear of the outside world. The play offers a rummage sale as an opportunity for women to step outside and conquer their fear. Accordingly, in terms of presenting the psychological condition of women characters and associating the possible solution to their problem with a market occasion, Townsend’s play illustrates an example of feminist criticism. In this study, the play’s analysis is based on the 1980s context dominated by Thatcher politics, and Townsend’s portrayal of agoraphobia is discussed as a criticism of her society in which patriarchal hegemony plays a central role in women’s forced confinement.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Sue Townsend, Bazaar and Rummage, issue-based play, agoraphobia, patriarchal oppression, feminist criticism, Thatcher

Kaynakça

• "Agoraphobia." (1900). The British Medical Journal 1. 2037: 98. JSTOR. Web. 28 Jul. 2015. https://www.jstor.org/stable/20263132
• "Agoraphobia." (1974). The British Medical Journal 4.5938: 177-78. JSTOR. Web. 28 Jul. 2015. https://www.jstor.org/stable/20470844
• Bekker, M. (1996). “Agoraphobia and Gender: A Review.” Clinical Psychology Review 16. 2: 129-146.
• Campbell, B. (2015). “Margaret Thatcher: To be or not to be a Woman.” British Politics 10: 41-51.
• Carlson, S. (1991). Women and Comedy. Michigan: Michigan UP.
• Chambless, D. L. and Mason, J. (1986). Sex, Sex-role Stereotyping and Agoraphobia: Behaviour Research and Therapy. 24. 2: 231–235.
• Coveney, M. (1982). Review of Sue Townsend’s Bazaar and Rummage. Financial Times. In London Theatre Record. 6-19 May: 239.
• Davidson, J. (2003). Phobic Geographies: The Phenomenology and Spatiality of Identity. Aldershot: Ashgate.
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV. (1994). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
• Foa, E., G. Steketee, and M. Young. (1984). “Agoraphobia: Phenomenological Aspects Associated Characteristics and Theoretical Considerations.” Clinical Psychology Review 4: 431-457.
• Gournay, K. (1989). “Agoraphobia: A Woman’s Problem? The Sex-Role
• Perspective.” Agoraphobia: Current Perspectives on Theory and Treatment. Ed. Kevin Gournay. London and New York: Routledge: 209-226.
• Hudson, B. L. (1989). “Social Factors and the Role of Social Workers.” Agoraphobia: Current Perspectives on Theory and Treatment. Ed. Kevin Gournay. London and New York: Routledge: 60-84.
• Mathews, A. M., Michael G. G., and Derek W. J. (1981). Agoraphobia: Nature and Treatment. London and New York: Tavistock.
• McDowell, Linda. (1989). “Women in Thatcher’s Britain.” The Political Geography of Contemporary Britain. Ed. John Mohan. London: Macmillan: 172-187.
• Nicholls, T. (2014). Theatre West Four: So Far as I Can Remember. Vol.2. N.p: Paragon.
• Peacock, D. Keith. (1999). Thatcher’s Theatre: British Theatre and Drama in the Eighties. London: Greenwood.
• Townsend, S. (1984a). Bazaar and Rummage, Groping for Words, Womberang. London: Methuen.
• Townsend, S. (1984b). Introduction. Bazaar and Rummage, Groping for Words, Womberang. London: Methuen. i-v.
• Wyllie, A. (2009). Sex on Stage: Gender and Sexuality in Post-War British Theatre. Bristol, GBR: Intellect Ltd.