Class 12 Play - Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale

Hysteria in the Halls of Cambridge University  
– the dangers of women in education. 

Dearest Reader, last week I took upon myself the tedious task of interviewing the infamous “Blue Stockings” from Girton Ladies College, Cambridge University. The purpose of these “Blue Stockings” is to achieve the right for women to graduate with degrees from the University of Cambridge, a motion vulgarly resembling the women's suffrage movement. Quite as one may expect, the ladies in question displayed unfortunate signs of hysteria, and I was unable to get a word in edgeways. The emotional torrent of nonsensical sentences that spilt from their mouths only further solidified my belief that higher education is no place for women. The fairer sex is far too fragile for the rigor of the academic world, and simply does not have the energy to fuel both womb and mind. The respectable Dr Maudsley writes in his thesis that hysteria is brought on by a weakened morality, mind or will and that any woman is susceptible. This, I believe, is what ails the women of Girton, that in devoting energy to the mind, they are rendered unable to uphold their duties as women in society. Thus, I urge you good gentlemen of Cambridge, in this upcoming vote for women's right to graduate, you must vote against this madness, or else society and the future is doomed. 

A diary extract from a “Blue Stocking”: 

Not a word of our interview made it into the article. Not one. It is moments like this where I am reminded of how truly difficult our fight is. But when I reflect on my position in the world it only reassures me that I must go on. As a woman, I am a possession, first of my father and then of my husband. Myself and everything material that makes me, my books, my clothes and my work, belongs to him. Even the children I carry and birth, do not belong to me. My value is judged by my beauty, or my father's status, not by my brain, will or morals. It seems I control nothing, nothing, save my desire to learn and the knowledge I acquire. That is why we women need the right to graduate, we need something, real material proof, to show we are as worthy, mark for mark, as any man. I say all this only to be cut short by the callous interviewer who laughs at me and calls me hysterical. “You are a radical” he says decidedly as though it’s a curse word. He didn't listen to a word I said, the article was written before I opened my mouth. 

by Amber Dewaal

Save the dates
Performing 22, 23, 24th February 2024