Machinal

Machinal portrays women as subjected to the often brutal, mechanical demands of society, a society created by men, for men. There are very few points in the play where we see women speak and be listened to. For example, the nurse in the maternity ward suggests that they don’t force the baby on Helen and the doctor snaps back, “I decide what’s better and better not here, Nurse!” (761-762). The only way for a woman to be free is to totally break with society. However, this total break seems impossible as well, as Helen’s attempt at doing so, by living outside the bounds of society through the act of murder, only serves to lead her back deeper into society’s bureaucracy and judgment. Be it the workplace, religion, the courtroom, or the bedroom, women are talked at and not listened to.

Jones manages to put all his employees in their place with just a few words. The doctor puts the nurse in her place. Jones treats Helen like a child, ignoring her every thought. The lawyers talk over Helen and simply mouth their lawyerly phrases. The priest prays without acknowledging Helen’s needs, and the barbers shave her head, despite her painful objections.