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Questions and Answers
What is the occasion for Marlene's dinner party?
Who are the guests at Marlene's dinner party?
What is Isabella Bird known for?
What is the common thread among the women's stories at the dinner party?
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What is Patient Griselda known for?
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What is Marlene's profession?
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What is the name of the woman Marlene interviews at the Top Girls Employment Agency?
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What is Lady Nijo's backstory?
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What is the tone of the dinner party?
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What is Dull Gret known for?
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What is Jeanine planning to save money for?
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What is Marlene's new position at the Top Girls Employment Agency?
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What does Angie reveal she wants to do to her mother?
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Why does Mrs. Kidd visit Marlene's office?
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What does Angie do after picking up a brick?
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What is Shona caught lying about during her interview?
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What does Marlene think Angie will end up doing?
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What happens to Howard Kidd after Marlene is promoted?
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Why does Angie go to London?
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What does Marlene bring for Angie and Joyce when she visits?
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What does Angie find in one of the parcels?
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What does Marlene reveal that she did earlier in the day?
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Why is Joyce upset with Marlene?
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What does Marlene believe will happen to her in the coming years?
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What is the name of the prime minister that Marlene mentions?
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Why does Marlene and Joyce's argument end?
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What is Angie doing when she comes downstairs in a daze?
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What is Joyce's attitude towards Angie?
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What does Joyce prepare for Marlene to sleep on?
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What is Angie's repetitive response to Marlene?
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What is the central theme explored in the play Top Girls?
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What is the significance of the dinner party in the play?
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What is Marlene's character driven by in the play?
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What is the underlying message of the play regarding women's stories?
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What is the impact of Marlene's sacrifices on her personal life?
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What is the broader implication of the play's exploration of women's stories?
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What is the time period in which the story is set?
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What is Marlene's view on motherhood?
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What is the theme that is explored through the character of Marlene?
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Who is the famous figure mentioned in the text?
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What is the context of the story in relation to Margaret Thatcher's quote?
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Study Notes
Top Girls Play Summary
- The play Top Girls, written by Caryl Churchill, explores the lives of women in a patriarchal society.
- The story begins with Marlene, a successful London businesswoman, hosting a dinner party to celebrate her promotion.
- The guests at the dinner party are not friends, family, or coworkers, but rather women from history, art, and myth, including Isabella Bird, Lady Nijo, Dull Gret, Pope Joan, and Patient Griselda.
Characters and Their Stories
- Marlene, the protagonist, is a powerful businesswoman who has achieved success in a male-dominated world.
- Angie, Marlene's niece, appears to be desperate to escape her mundane life and seeks adventure in London.
- Joyce, Marlene's sister, is portrayed as a working-class woman who is unhappy with her life and feels stuck in her situation.
- Howard Kidd, a coworker of Marlene's, is passed over for a promotion, which leads to tension between him and Marlene.
Themes
- Life Under the Patriarchy: The play explores the struggles women face in a society dominated by men.
- Women's Stories: The play showcases the importance of women's stories and experiences, highlighting their range, vitality, and necessity.
- Power, Success, and Individualism: Marlene's character represents the sacrifices one must make to achieve success in a patriarchal society.
- Motherhood: The play explores different types of mothers and their experiences, with Marlene's story specifically highlighting the burden of motherhood in a patriarchal society.
Setting
- The play is set in the early 1980s, during the era of Margaret Thatcher's prime ministership.
- The story takes place in London and a small town in the countryside.
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Description
Marlene hosts a dinner party with a unique guest list featuring women from history, art, and myth. Who are the notable women attending this exclusive gathering? Test your knowledge of historical figures and cultural icons!
