ipl-logo

Ignorance In Sodium Girls By D. W. Gregory

688 Words3 Pages

When danger lurks around every corner, is it truly best to turn away? The concept of "ignorance is bliss" is a popular phrase that suggests that ignorance can bring happiness by avoiding the burden of knowledge and responsibility. This idea is challenged in both D.W. Gregory's play, Radium Girls, and Lois Lowry's novel, The Giver. In Radium Girls, the story of young women who worked with radium and were unknowingly exposed to its harmful effects exemplifies the consequences of blind trust in authority figures and the dangers of ignorance. Similarly, in The Giver, the protagonist Jonas learns that the elimination of pain and suffering from society through ignorance comes at the cost of losing valuable emotions and experiences that make life …show more content…

Gregory illustrates the negative effects of ignorance and blind faith in authority figures in their play Radium Girls. This play demonstrates how important it is to pursue knowledge to stop injustices. The play's central theme emphasizes the importance of awareness, just as The Giver does, as the girls' ignorance of the poison they were facing led to many injustices. When the truth began to unfold, the United States Radium Corporation was forced into a web of lies and deception used to protect the ignorance of the working girls and the public. “He is concerned with the truth. He undertakes years of painstaking study to arrive at an understanding of intricate natural processes that most people could never presume to comprehend. You would do well to listen to science and ignore the nonsense that is printed in the newspapers. Because I can tell you right now - radium has nothing to do with what's ailing you.” (Gregory pg. 51-52) Deceived by the fake doctors’ words, the girls were told that radium had nothing to do with their illness. To the uneducated girls, they believed this. To go against the Company, took a lot of courage from the dying girls and forced them to reveal the truth, which broke free from the chains of ignorance. The play also highlights the power dynamics at play in society, where those in positions of authority are often seen as flawless and powerful, which ends the preservation of ignorance. The story illustrates that by seeking knowledge and challenging authority, one can expose the truth and bring about change, as opposed to living in ignorance and keeping quiet about the company’s

Show More
Related
1063 Words | 5 Pages

The Girls of Atomic City, by Denise Kiernan, the lives of woman whom worked in a secret city on a top-secret project at the peak of World War II. The city of Oak Ridge, near Knoxville, TN, was non-existent to all except those whom obtained jobs there. Young woman were brought from towns all over the South to work long days in factories without knowing any information about the work they were doing. Each woman’s story was told in addition to the theories of their work efforts. For example, 18-year-old Helen Ross, previously a diner-drugstore worker in Eagleville, TN was recruited to become a calutron cubicle operator.

Read More
1104 Words | 5 Pages

We as an audience must decide who to believe and what the truth is. The power of the play seems to stem from the community. They incite fear and chaos through the implementation of the mob mentality. They band together and create fear that most of the characters feel in the play such as Ms. Mahnaz when they threaten her.

Read More
1261 Words | 6 Pages

It is a complex and nuanced exploration of the issues that shape adolescence and identity, with its portrayal of a diverse group of young women offering powerful meditation on challenges growing up in contemporary society. One of the central themes of the play is the idea of privilege and how it affects the girls' lives. Several of the characters come from affluent backgrounds and are grappling with the guilt and responsibility that come with their privilege. Others struggle with the limitations imposed on them by their social and economic

Read More
251 Words | 2 Pages

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This new weapon was what brought the second world war to an end. In the book The Girls Of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan, It tells the story of the bomb's creation through the eyes of 9 women whom unknowingly helped create the most devastating instrument of war known to man. Each of these 9 women worked and lived in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (A city created for the project). This book really gave me a better understanding of all the work and effort put into The Project.

Read More
672 Words | 3 Pages

How society views others becomes a developing theme throughout the two pieces of literature, the play “The Crucible” written by Arthur Miller and Sam Roberts article, “Father Was a Spy”. The town of Salem in “The Crucible” undergoes a major quarrell throwing accusations at almost anyone, without proper information. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are thrown in jail and charged for conspiracy, however they claim no unlawful actions are taking place on behalf of them. In both situations reputations are destroyed resulting in a multitude of negative factors. Trust is lost, friends are afraid of each other, jobs are lost, and very commonly, death occurs.

Read More
1039 Words | 5 Pages

“Amelia Maggia passed away after years of pain in her jaw and teeth. Her condition was written off as syphilis.” (The Story of the Radium Girls). Roeder paid off the doctor to say in the report that radium wasn’t the cause because he was greedy. Later in the book, they got a real doctor, Martland, to look at Amelia to really see what it really was since they had suspicion.

Read More
612 Words | 3 Pages

After a close reading and synthesis of The Crucible it has come to my attention the similarities in how themes present in the play affect our seemingly modern society. Themes like hysteria and intolerance are prevalent in many current situations the same way they were in The Crucible, in a way blurring the line between past and present. “Bodies, and the subconscious, have their own language, rooted in the patients’ individual life experiences. Bodies can express things when words fail. ”(Bynum 2).

Read More
1233 Words | 5 Pages

The Crucible provides a commentary on group mentality and the ability that persuasion has to change someone’s views and morals completely. These points are extremely relevant to today’s society. Many events that have taken place in history mirror the events that take place in this play,

Read More
638 Words | 3 Pages

The play ‘’The Crucible’’ by Arthur Miller displays the importance of one taking responsibility for one’s action. It expresses in great detail how the inability of one person to stand up to their own mistakes can lead to deadly circumstances. Also just how much lies,deceit and pure evil can result in such terrible situations. In this play, Abigail Williams is very much to blame for many tragic deaths which is demonstrated by her many cruel actions, reminding the audience that one person can destroy an entire society. Abigail’s choice to cast a spell to kill Goody Proctor demonstrates her irrational love for Proctor which leads to the demise of the community.

Read More
695 Words | 3 Pages

In Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible”, power is a central issue, and characters' increasing or decreasing possession of it moves the story considerably. The play explores how people in power can experience megalomania, and consequently fail to resolve the issues at hand. The root of the problem is the unchecked power of the Puritan leaders, who are able to use their authority to manipulate and control the beliefs and behaviors of the people. When the young girls of Salem begin to act strangely and accuse others of witchcraft, the community is thrown into chaos, and the court officials are given a platform to assert their power. The girls are able to wield their accusations as a weapon, and the officials use the opportunity to further

Read More
961 Words | 4 Pages

The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a play which contains a multitude of complex characters . In the play, the characters’ motivations and inner processes are explored. Because of the historical setting, the characters live in a society of judgement and extreme religious devotion. This is a factor that places any of the characters’ choices and morals in a public balance to be judged by others. Abigail Williams is the main character of the play and acts with an utter selfishness and obsession.

Read More
1158 Words | 5 Pages

The play illustrates how hysteria can lead to the breakdown of social order and how individuals can be swept up in the madness, losing sight of reality. The abuse of power is also demonstrated through the actions of characters such as Judge Danforth, who use their positions of authority to manipulate and control others. The concept of truth is also explored, as the characters grapple with the difficulty of discerning what is true in a world where lies and deception abound. Miller's play serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked hysteria and the corrupting influence of power. By examining the Salem Witch Trials, Miller highlights the potential for individuals and societies to succumb to irrationality and the devastating consequences that can result.

Read More
751 Words | 4 Pages

Thus demonstrating how mob mentality can impact an individual and ultimately drive the action of the play. This shows us how one person who starts

Read More
1410 Words | 6 Pages

The social pattern of patriarchy and woman subordination has pervaded much of history, and consequently, has found itself as a timeless theme in literature. The portrayal of women in literature has also been a constant debate throughout time, and many female characters in literature either promote negative stereotypes, encourage the transcendence of patriarchy, or a blend of both. Such is the case for Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, wherein Miller’s portrayal of female characters, such as Abigail Williams, can certainly be viewed as one-sided and offensive Yet, the depiction of women in the play is not exclusively oppressive, for example, Elizabeth Proctor, who is clearly transcendent of the madness of Salem society. The women of the play are also frequently looked down upon and objectified by male characters, namely by John Proctor, which could also be a statement on the seemingly timeless struggle for women to gain societal equity.

Read More
1506 Words | 7 Pages

The psychological impacts of a patriarchal society are seen throughout the production. Paulina is not only the victim of a crime, but also the victim of a society that has acted in a misogynistic way toward her. An interesting idea that Dorfman explores is whether this victimisation has served Paulina a significant disadvantage. Gender inequality seems prevalent throughout the play, particularly demonstrated through the relationship between Gerardo and Paulina. When Gerardo returns home in the first act, Paulina questions him regarding the truth commission leading to the revelation Gerardo has accepted a job that deals directly with the assault she faced without asking her beforehand.

Read More

More about Ignorance In Sodium Girls By D. W. Gregory

Related Topics

Open Document