1Liva Adil Shareef & 2Soran Abubakr Abdulrahman
English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Education, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
liva.sharef@tiu.edu.iq, soran.abdulrahman@tiu.edu.iq
Abstract:
This article investigates the comprehensive representations of modern women in Caryl Churchill’s play Top Girls. The study starts by looking at how feminist ideals evolved, then examines feminist literary criticism and how it may challenge patriarchal narratives, especially via theatre and literature. The paper investigates significant characters from Churchill’s Top Girls, including Marlene, Joyce, Win, and Louise, to emphasize their opposing views on the profession, parenting, and social class. It highlights Churchill’s criticism of the neoliberal concept of meritocracy and the limits of capitalist feminism, which often sacrifices human ties and women’s solidarity. Churchill’s character dynamics and conversation call into question the concept of universal sisterhood, highlighting the differences produced by different social, economic, and political environments. Finally, the paper asserts that “Top Girls” promotes a more inclusive vision of modern women’s various roles and problems, pushing for unity that limits class, culture, and individual ambition.
Keywords: Top Girls, Career, Caryl Churchill, modern women, motherhood, feminism.