Section 1

Miss Julie is a tragic drama by Swedish playwright August Strindberg, first performed in 1889.
Miss Julie is a play set on Midsummer's Eve in the kitchen of the Count's manor. The Count's
daughter, Miss Julie, flirts with Jean, a valet. The play explores power dynamics between Julie,
an aristocrat, and Jean, her servant. They challenge and mimic each other's authority based on
their social positions and gender roles. The story tackles gender roles in society. We see this
when Jean tells Miss Julie, «Look here, I could change you into a countess, but you could never
make me into a count!» ( 92 ) We see that despite Julie's privileged status, her societal constraints
as a woman leave her vulnerable to Jean's power. Strindberg also enforces a backward way of
thinking by making Kristin say, "Well, she's got her monthly now; then she always acts this
strange." (75). This quote is misogynistic because stating that Miss Julie is menstruating during
the action of the play is supposed to serve as an excuse for her acting "crazy." By doing this, the
play perpetuates prejudiced beliefs about women. Also, making another woman say this shows
how misogynistic beliefs can manifest in anyone, no matter their gender.

In modern society, gender roles persist as influential factors in power dynamics. Despite progress
toward gender equality, stereotypes and expectations associated with masculinity and femininity
still influence how individuals are perceived and treated. The workplace, relationships, and
societal expectations often reflect deeply ingrained norms. Challenges to traditional gender roles
are ongoing, with movements advocating for greater inclusivity and breaking free from
restrictive expectations. However, the impact of historical norms can still be observed, revealing
an ongoing struggle for a more equitable and diverse understanding of gender roles in the
modern world. In this quote, “ What horrible power drew me to you? (96) Being a woman, Miss
Julie loses her power as an aristocrat after her romantic involvement with Jean, reflecting
women's vulnerability in the social hierarchy. As Miss Julie succumbs to Jean's manipulations,
the power dynamic shifts, showing how a woman can lose her status after defying societal
norms.

Figure 1: Harris, Jenée, Women´s March, Vox.

In Miss Julie, Strindberg crafts a narrative that unveils the topic of social inequality through the
interactions between Miss Julie and Jean. One moment that highlights this theme is when Miss
Julie commands Jean, "Bravo, now finish things off properly, and kiss my shoe as well!" (78).
This line reflects the social hierarchy, where the higher social class has power over their servants.
Miss Julie's demand for Jean to kiss her shoe not only showcases her entitlement but also
reinforces the dehumanizing nature of class distinctions. Furthermore, Miss Julie's saying, "It
must be a tremendous misfortune to be poor" (83) illustrates the ignorant mindset of the upper
class. This quote reflects a condescending perspective that perceives poverty as a personal failure
rather than a systemic issue. Miss Julie's remark on poor people highlights the belief that one's
economic status determines one's worth.
This quote, “My taste is so simple that I prefer it to wine.” (77) holds a double meaning. Instead
of Miss Julie stating her preference for simplicity in drinks, it subtly acknowledges her attraction
to Jean, a man of lower class. The word "taste" symbolizes her unconventional romantic
inclinations, which shows how the play explores forbidden desires and the challenges of defying
societal norms. For my intention, I would like to incorporate the idea of forbidden desires by
using production elements such as lighting, props, and costumes.

The interactions between the characters in Miss Julie enforce the idea of how power structures,
such as gender and social structures, are very prominent in society. I want to explore this idea
with my theatre-maker intention, showing how gender and social inequalities are still relevant in
modern societies and creating a production that contemporary audiences can relate to. I would
like to explore how societal expectations and prejudices can still influence relationships, careers,
and personal aspirations. Through the characters' struggles, this interpretation will hopefully
spark conversations about gender roles, class divides, and societal pressures. I wish to engage the
audience in reflecting on the impact that power structures have on our modern world.

Theater maker intention:

This production will recontextualize Miss Julie in a modern New York penthouse during a party
to show its relevance in today's society. The dramatic action will unfold during a penthouse party
because it´s glamorous. Yet, it has a confining atmosphere, showcasing the characters' struggles
with desires, ambitions, and the consequences of their actions. This setting will show social class
and the consequences of societal expectations. Miss Julie is deeply rooted in the European
aristocratic society of the late 19th century. Moving the story to a modern New York penthouse
may lead to a loss of cultural and historical context, potentially diluting the original themes'
impact. To safeguard the cultural and historical context, this production will integrate key
elements that will portray the story in its original essence. Through a thoughtfully designed set,
this interpretation will effectively connect the historical aspect with the modern adaptation. This
intention will show how gender and class issues are still relevant today. I will use realism as my
stylistic lens. Through this realist lens, I will represent everyday people and situations accurately
and unidealized. I was considering doing the feminist stylistic lens instead because it would have
offered an interesting exploration of the gender dynamics in Miss Julie, the reason why I didn´t
pick feminism as my stylistic lens is to recognize the play's dual thematic focus on both gender
and social differences. MI will be using a proscenium stage as the performance space. Because I
feel like the plot is all about dynamic relationships, it would be easier to show these relationships
on a proscenium stage. I would also be able to show social inequalities on this type of stage by
utilizing the different levels onstage, which creates visual interest for the audience. As a
designer, I have to take into account the stylistic lens of realism for staging this production. As
for the costumes, I would like Miss Julie to dress how a typical aristocrat in the 2000s would,
and for Jean to dress how a servant would dress in modern times.

Section 2 ( masse bilder (12 ish

Stage design

A proscenium stage is a stage where the audience sits on one side only. The audience faces one
side of the stage directly and may sit at a slightly lower height, as can be seen in Fig 2. The
audience will observe the action from a distance, positioned as witnesses to the unfolding drama
in the production. This type of stage can help ensure that the audience sees all the action
happening on stage. The use of levels on stage can be used to show status, meaning the power
one character has over another. This is helpful in portraying the key ideas of gender and social
inequalities with the
intention of conveying those issues in modern society.

Fig 2, Ohio Theatre orchestra shell, Pinterest

Costumes
Costumes can denote character, historical era and the style of the production, which in this case
is realism. Miss Julie´s costume, I visualize to be a glamorous red dress with black gloves and a
white shawl, Miss Julie's attire conveys layers of meaning. The red dress, was not chosen for
its´ability to attract attention, the color alludes to her being on menstrual cycle, adding a
nuanced layer to her character. This choice is a deliberate reference, emphasizing her
vulnerability and societal expectations tied to her gender. The black gloves, in contrast,
symbolize power and authority. Positioned at her fingertips, they suggest Miss Julie's attempt to
exert control in a world where social dynamics often limit her agency.
dress as seen below in Fig 3. I visualize her wearing a striking

Fig 3, Red Dress with Black Gloves, Pinterest Fig 4, White Pashmina Scarf. RFF,

Fig 5, Lanvin Fashion Collection. Pinterest

Including a big diamond chandelier is not only visually striking, but it can serve as a
symbolically rich element. Being above the characters, this chandelier, not only signifies the
wealth associated with the aristocratic lifestyle but also acts as a metaphor for the intricate social
entanglements and can show the fragility of relationships within the play. It can reflect the
societal expectations and pressures that weigh upon the characters, underscoring the class
struggles and vulnerabilities they face in their respective classes. As can be seen in Fig 3, the
chandelier is moving downward in a spiral, which can show how the plot is unraveling.

Fig 6, Diamond Chandelier Centerpiece. Walmart,

Fig 7, Classic French Style Wall Mirror. Pinterest

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m=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf87-R7OuDAxUmWkEAHUUUC_QQ0pQJegQI
DBAB&biw=1280&bih=607&dpr=2&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=q0o5Mtgmstv5hM

Section 3.
moment of theater page 94

when the two emerge from Jean’s room, Jean confesses that his previous story of romantic
longing for her as a child was merely a lie invented to seduce her. When he saw her as a child, he
later reveals, he had “the same dirty thoughts all boys have.” Julie is horrified by this revelation.
She asks Jean to say he loves her, but her desperate attempt to introduce romance into their
relationship is forced, an attempt to convince herself that she has not been disgraced in her
surrender to carnal desire.
Emotion: In this moment from "Miss Julie," the emotional dynamics unfold through the
characters' dialogue. Julie's emotional distress is expressed as she falls to her knees with clasped
hands, pleading, "Oh, God in heaven, end my miserable life, -Oh save me, save me." This
illustrates Julie's desperation.To emphasize Julie's emotional distress in this moment from "Miss
Julie, the lighting would dim gradually as Julie falls to her knees, which would visually isolate
her in a pool of light to show how she is isolated.