1. How does Caryl Churchill explore the culture and politics of the 1980s and relate this to ‘Top Girls’?

2. 1Culture of 1970s/80s All work no play Career was better than family Women were trying to raise their status in society People were very optimistic about the future ‘the 80s are going to be tremendous’

3. 2Politics of 1970s/80s Margaret Thatcher a triumph for feminists but her politics favoured men (all men in her Cabinet) ‘I’d give her a job’ Political correctness began in earnest as women fought for status Men played a prominent part in politics although Margaret Thatcher was in charge Emphasis on careers as strikes fought for more pay etc

4. 3Males+1980s Dominant, protector Went to work, no domestic duty Represented women and family Earned more like now but wider pay gap then Family supported man

5. 4Females+1980s Weaker, supporter Stayed at home, no career duty Earned less if had a career Looked after children, had children Man protected wife

6. 5Marlene+males Competitive with men as refuses to give job to colleague Howard Treats men as disposable, as she does Angie and her two unborn children she aborted She is ambitious and resents her place in society Annoyed with other women without that ambition e.g. Joyce, Angie, Howard’s wife Sees herself at work as a man

7. 6Joyce+females Sees herself as inferior to men Unmotivated as society accepts her but resents Marlene who has ambition and a ‘better’ life Resents her lot in life but cannot see how to change it Sees herself as a woman betrayed by her ex husband and is resigned to that Treats men as betrayers

8. 7Angie+expectations ‘She’ll never make it’ Is expected to get married as will be unsuccessful Is not seen by Marlene as a daughter because was unwanted and Angie has no ambition Contrast with Kit as Kit wants to be a nuclear scientist, therefore has ambition like Marlene Shows that society changed children’s expectations e.g. Joyce made Angie have less ambition, and so is not affected by Marlene’s ambition

9. 8Dominance+interruptions Isabella Bird and Lady Nijo are dominant and keep interrupting each other. Joan, Gret and Griselda are not dominant but each have one long speech at the end Marlene is not very dominant in the 1st scene but later on is Angie and Kit pretend to be dominant but in reality Kit is Joyce is not very dominant and neither is Howard’s wife when faced with Marlene

10. 9Top Girls+audience 1980s Shocked at the blood scene Would have seen Marlene as a ‘ball breaker’ Sympathise with Howard Surprised at Kit’s ambitions Disgusted at Marlene and her abortions for her career

11. 10Top Girls+audience now Disgusted at the blood scene Would have seen Marlene as independent Sympathise with Joyce Pleased with Kit’s ambitions Disgusted at abortions but would understand more

12. 11How attitudes have changed Women are accepted more in the world of work Girls are taught to ambitious Careers for women are seen as just as important as a family life Women are accepted in politics more thanks to Margaret Thatcher Women expected to go to university as much as men are

13. 12A shocking play now Murder for a petty reason Abuse of women/children Sex Drug abuse Torture

14. 13Conclusion Are we regressing or progressing? Top Girls still relevant today as women are still prosecuted a little Pay gap Relevant in education as education begins careers

15. 14Questions?