Thesis (M.A.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Arts - Department of English

This thesis mainly focuses on the idea of docile bodies in three selected plays. Docility means that individuals are dominated by a particular power. It leads to their oppression and submissiveness.The main argument of the thesis is to show the negative impact of docility on people and how it brings about abuse and subordination. It also examines the strategies of power and control that are imposed to dominate them.The social and cultural pressures and the strict laws manipulated in societies are considered effective ways of control and domination.Therefore, the thesis attempts an analysis of three selected plays namely, Body Indian (1980) by the Native American Hanay Geogamah, The Dance and the Railroad (1981) by the Chinese-American David Henry Hwang and Miriam{u2019}s Flowers (1992) by the Chicana dramatist Migdalia Cruz. The thesis also attempts to explore the various modes of resistance employed by the characters against docility and exploitation. It investigates body rituals, performances and physical practices as effective tools of resistance and means to articulate the individuals{u201F} suffering and oppression

Issued also as CD