question #3

Ensler has two main goals throughout this book, to celebrate vaginas and to raise awareness for violence against women.  I think that she accomplishes both of these goals very well through these monologues.  I think that her goal of celebrating vaginas is accomplished simply by bringing the word "vagina" to light. Most people are afraid to say the word publicly, simply because it is seldom addressed.  Just the familiarization with the word vagina, as well as its' slang terms, that people achieve through reading this book is a step in the right direction for both of her goals.  Her asking the people she interviewed what their vaginas would wear makes the people think about something that they have probably never thought about before, and probably like to think of it, because of that reason.  Her other goal, of raising the awareness for violence against women is also accomplished through this because all the people she interviews, women from many different backgrounds, all have different answers, but ultimately are trying to accomplish the same goal; to be respected.  Also, the stories she portrays are written so simply in context, but descriptive enough in an elementary way that the reader truly sympathizes for the women who have been mutilated and/or beaten.I do not think that these two goals are contradictory of each other, because I think that you need to address vaginas in order to gain respect for women.  You must respect the woman's entire body in order for her to be respected. It addresses the fact the a vagina is not just a hole, as it seems to have a mind of its' own, and a very strong connection with its' owner.  I personally think that her goal of celebrating vaginas is accomplished more thoroughly simply because i believe that that is the predecessor for raising awareness against violence. Every part of the woman's body must be addressed.  I think that reading all of the monologues together help give the reader a sense of the word and the topic that is rarely addressed  before throwing them in dialogue that would otherwise provoke them or even offend them.