24th Annual Student Research Conference
Porgy's Bess: The Timeless Dichotomy of a Woman
Jill K. Kuanfung
Dr. Linda Seidel, Faculty Mentor
Heyward's play, "Porgy", as well as the Gershwin's musical version, "Porgy and Bess", carries with it a number of thought provoking and controversial themes. Arguably one of the most interesting themes is the struggle of the character Bess, a woman who is ostracized by her community for how she chooses to express her sexuality. Pushing the boundaries of "right" and "wrong" gets Bess in trouble and earns her a negative portrayal in this famous literary work, but I would argue in Bess's favor. In my paper, I will analyze the transformation of the character of Bess, following the circumstances under which she is accepted and rejected, and exploring the realism and practicality behind the life choices Bess makes. Furthermore, I hope to explore society's view of the expression of a woman's sexuality--ways in which it constricted Bess's lifestyle, and whether or not this has changed at all for women today.
Keywords: Bess, ostracized, society, expression of sexuality, life choices, acceptance, rejection, controversial
Topic(s):English
Women's and Gender Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 15-2
Location: VH 1408
Time: 9:45