Spring Awakening By Frank Wedekind Essay - 982 Words

The play Spring Awakening, written by Frank Wedekind, pushed the boundaries of the strongly moralistic society of the Victorian age. It was written in 1891, but because of its explicitness, it was not performed until more than a decade later, in 1906. One controversial aspect that is detailed in the play is the unwanted pregnancy of the character Wendla Bergmann. Wedekind s description of this topic illuminates the destructiveness of the Victorian age, which believed in morality and virtuosity above all else. The complete lack of sexual education, middle class values, and hostile feelings towards illegitimate children are the topics concerning sex and sexuality examined in Spring Awakening. Act II Scene II of Spring Awakening illustrates the lack of sexual education taught to adolescents with the dialogue between Wendla Bergmann and her mother. In the scene, Mrs. Bergmann returns home to announce to Wendla that her older sister Ina was visited by the stork who had brought her a little baby boy (Wedekind 35). It is clear to see that Mrs. Bergmann, in keeping with the modes of morality, is shielding her daughter from any knowledge whatsoever of sexual intercourse. She instead prefers to keep in Wendla in total ignorance, perhaps to keep her from experimenting or to keep her untainted by such immoral knowledge. Despite this desire, Wendla is curious to learn how children are actually procreated and begs, Please, Mommy, tell me! †¦ Answer me - what goes on? - how does it allShow MoreRelatedSpring Awakening By Frank Wedekind867 Words   |  4 PagesSpring Awakening, written by Frank Wedekind and adapted into a musical by Steven Slater and Duncan Sheik, follows the trou bles and turmoil of German school children in the 19th century. These children are around 13 to 15 years old, so they are beginning to go through puberty and are experiencing a sexual awakening. Due to the society around them, they know nothing about their own bodies or sexuality. This leads to some major problems such as unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and rape. Though there areRead MoreFrank Wedekinds Spring Awakening And Atonement1568 Words   |  7 PagesFrank Wedekind’s Spring Awakening and Ian McEwan’s Atonement examine the notion that those who abuse power do so for personal gain. Through the use of themes such as: Power in sexuality, including notions of submission and dominance. Coming of age, regarding how children either don’t want to grow up, or contrastingly grow up too quickly. The power dichotomy between parents and children, contrasting children oppressed by their parents to those who act as a parental figure, and the use of guilt toRead MoreAn An alysis Of Jerry Herman And Book The Cage Aux Folles Essay1335 Words   |  6 Pages1983, it has since boasted many revivals and has received 21 awards since its debut. Song 2 – Left Behind – Spring Awakening Spring awakening is a modern, contemporary musical (Composer: Duncan Sheik Lyricist and song lyrics: Steven Sater) with pop and rock influences. Spring awakening is set in 19th century Germany and is based off of the play of the same title (written by Frank Wedekind). The play follows teenagers discovering their own sexuality. Wendela Bergman demands to know where babies