Caryl Churchill's play Top Girls explores gender issues in Thatcher-Era British society. Churchill contrasts feminism that simply enforces patriarchy, embodied by Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister, and a feminism that is more radical and transformative. Marlene exemplifies the type of woman who is achieving personal goals but only within a patriarchal framework that continues to exploit not only women but also people of color and secondary social class status. Her success does not represent the goals of feminism, which are to create a more egalitarian society for all people. Therefore, the text advocates second wave feminism, which is presented as a whole social revolution that is more inclusive of issues related to class and race as well as personal and political power.

The opening scene of Top Girls shows different forms of feminism and female achievements of historical power. Weaving the stories of famous females throughout the play allows Churchill...
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