In what manner does Julie's identity represent a critique of 19th century feminism in August Strindberg's Miss Julie ?

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August Strindberg's play Miss Julie does indeed present a critique of a particular type of nineteenth century feminism. Let's look at how this works.

Miss Julie is a noblewoman, the daughter of a count, yet she has learned from her feminist mother to hate all men and to behave...

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in such a manner that few noblewomen of the day would even think about behaving. Miss Julie, in fact, runs wild.

Even though Miss Julie is engaged, she abuses her fiancé so much that he leaves her, breaking their engagement and going off in anger. Miss Julie then dances with the servants on a holiday, again turning her back on her station and any sense of propriety. Then, she tries to seduce the servant Jean.

Miss Julie and Jean drink together and then sleep together, even though Jean is engaged to Christine. Miss Julie then invites Jean to go away with her. Jean is still in love with Christine, however, and Christine tries to get him to go with her to church and then to leave the estate to avoid scandal.

When Miss Julie tells the story of her mother's infidelity and wild behavior, we can see where Miss Julie has learned her lack of control. Christine tries to prevent disaster, but in the end, we have a feeling that Miss Julie kills herself.

Strindberg, then, is showing what tragedy can come from certain feminist attitudes, like hating men and treating them as slaves. Miss Julie's wild behavior does not make her happy in the end. In fact, it may lead to her death.

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