Who is the protagonist of Miss Julie?
Jean and Julie are both protagonist and antagonist in this story of a young aristocratic man-hating girl who is nevertheless driven to satisfy her uncontrollable sensuality abandoning herself to her father’s valet.
How did Miss Julie try to commit suicide?
As her “womb [cries] out for [Jean’s] sperm” (43), Miss Julie naturally cannot control herself and, along with her impulsive and naïve nature, she “throws herself at [Jean]” (27). After her sexual encounter, Miss Julie loses her control over Jean and commits suicide because of this loss of control.
What is the conflict in Miss Julie?
The root of contention over the play stemmed from its frank portrayal of sex. Not only does Miss Julie contain a sexual encounter between a lower-class servant and an upper-class aristocrat (in itself outrageous for the times), the play clearly describes the sex act as something apart from the concept of love.
What is the scandal in Miss Julie?
Miss Julie takes a break from dancing with her servants, which is scandal enough, to flirt with Jean and have a few drinks in the kitchen. An overt display of sexuality and mutual seduction culminates in sex, after which Jean proposes they run away together and open a hotel.
Why is Miss Julie controversial?
But what made Miss Julie so controversial when it debuted—a casual attitude toward sex and class boundaries—is hardly shocking to a modern audience. Shaking the Tree’s production attempts to assert the play’s relevance with contemporary staging.
Why is Miss Julie considered a naturalist play?
The play uses aspects of naturalism, such as the realistic stage setting, behaviour, and dialogue, ‘vivacious in its naturalness,’ (p. 6). The Father is led by ‘wretched needs,’ (p. 24) implying he was a slave to his instincts, driven by the animalistic motives suggested in naturalist philosophy.
Who is Christine in Miss Julie?
A relatively minor character, Christine is the manor’s thirty-five-year-old cook and Jean’s fiancé. Sharing in Jean’s gossip over Miss Julie’s “wild” nature, she seems to be a pious and petty hypocrite. She clings fiercely to a sense of social hierarchy.