P@ndora
by Sarah Berthiaume
in collaboration with Simon Boulerice
Translated by Nadine Desrochers
Canadian Premiere March 13, 2012
Study Guide
Created by Janna Smith
Youtheatre Inc. 5333 Casgrain #507 Montreal (QC) H2T 1X3 www.youtheatre.ca
Welcome to Youtheatre
Founded 1968, Youtheatre is Montreal’s oldest professional English language theatre company. Youtheatre is
committed to the creation, development and production of new works by the finest Canadian playwrights. Most
importantly, we consider provocative, intelligent and socially relevant subject matter to be a crucial factor in
reaching our audiences.
Each year, the company produces three works for Quebec audiences and tours productions from its repertoire
on a national level. These works are seen by an average of 30,000 young people each season. Since 2000,
Youtheatre has been presenting work in French and considers the francophone community an important part of
its audience.
About the Study Guide
This guide is meant to be used as a starting point for discussions and to encourage students to get the most out
of their theatre experience. We recommend that students be introduced to play’s themes before viewing the
production. The discussion topics and post-show activities should follow the performance in order to enhance
the students’ complete understanding of the subjects involved. Feel free to adapt the activities to suit your
students and your goals as a teacher. You may photocopy any of the material in this guide.
Production Team
Michel Lefebvre
Director
Max-Otto Fauteux
Renaud Pettigrew
Guillaume Lévesque
Set/Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Composer
Table of Contents
WELCOME TO YOUTHEATRE…….………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
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ABOUT THE STUDY GUIDE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
PRODUCTION TEAM …………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………...2
PRE-SHOW ACTIVITIES
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION...................................................................................................................................5
SYNOPSIS
THE BIG, BAD PORN INDUSTRY…………………………………………………….……………………………………………………...6
MEDIA AND THE SEXUALIZATION OF GIRLS………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
ADDICTED TO THE INTERNET……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
FANTASY VS REAL LIFE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
POST-SHOW ACTIVITIES
THE MYTH OF PANDORA………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15
BLOGGING…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
FINDING MEANING………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
QUESTIONNAIRE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20
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PRE-SHOW ACTIVITIES
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION
Pandora : Sixteen year-old girl that does not hold herself in high regard. Never pretty enough, never intelligent
enough, always pessimistic, always on the outside.
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Alex : Sixteen year-old guy who is considered by some of the girls to be a geek. He is writer who posts short
stories on his blog. He is creative, intelligent and sensitive.
Firefox : Like the serpent in the Garden of Eden, Firefox attempts to corrupt Pandora. He entices her with a
forbidden vice : pornography. He taunts her and feeds her misinformation.
SYNOPSIS
Pandora is a regular teen. Like most girls her age, she is not crazy about herself. She is insecure about her
looks, her brain. She doesn’t believe that guys are interested in her- especially Alex. Alex is different. A bit of a
loner, his nose always hidden behind a computer screen. Writing. He writes short stories and publishes them
on his blog. Pandora follows his posts and likes what he has to say. But that’s the problem- she likes HIM!
Every time she passes him in the hall at school, she stumbles on her words, gets anxious, uncertain.
One day, feeling completely overwhelmed by life, Pandora escapes to the girls’ washroom. Just when she
thinks she is finally alone, someone passes a lighter under the stall. On it is a website : www.foxylady.com.
Dismissing it at first, Pandora’s curiousity finally gets the best of her. Once at home she checks it out. Not
surprised that it’s a porn site- she’s seen those before, but is surprised by the fact that the porn star looks
exactly like her! Confused, she watches it over and over trying to figure out the trick… the truth. For days,
Pandora is obsessed. The real world slips from her grasp and she becomes lost in the web, her only guide is the
troublesome Firefox.
Pandora is still interested in Alex, but feels even more distanced from what she really wants. They finally hang
out and have their first kiss, but she can’t handle what she percieves as pressure to perform. « What does he
expect? What does he want? Does he want the girl I’ve been watching on the web? Is that really me? What
about my desires? » Just as Pandora’s brain is freaking out, her iPhone starts leaking black ooze all over her
jeans. What the hell?! She can’t let Alex see.
Pandora takes off and finds herself lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood. But she is not alone. Firefox is following
her, taunting her, insulting her. Is it her conscience or is he really there? Pandora eventually stands up for
herself and escapes Firefox’s hold. She continues running, searching for a way out, when she comes across a
field of hydro towers. An eerie scene that sounds even stranger- there is a constant, artificial buzz engulfing
everything. Despite the noise, Pandora is lulled to sleep. She dreams- of Alex, of Firefox, of a part of herself that
she still loves. Slowly she awakes, and decides to stand her ground and fight.
THE BIG, BAD PORN INDUSTRY
Unglamorous Statistics (from 2006 - 2010)
• 12% of all websites on the Internet are pornographic (or 25 million sites).
• Every 39 minutes: a new pornographic video is being created in the United States.
• Every second more than $3k is being spent on pornography.
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The pornography industry has larger revenues than Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo, Apple
and Netflix combined.
2006 Worldwide pornography revenues were more than $97 billion per year.
The largest group viewing online pornography is ages 12 - 17 (11 million per year in the U.S.).
1 in 3 porn viewers are women.
70% of men aged 18 - 34 visit porn sites in a typical month.
10% of adults admit to an internet sexual addiction and 20% of men say they access pornography at
work.
Between 2007 and 2010, 36 porn stars died from HIV, suicide, homicide and drug abuse.
66% of porn performers have Herpes, a non-curable disease.
70% of STI cases in the porn industry occur in females.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea cases in the porn industry are 10x higher than the norm.
Child pornography is one of the fastest growing businesses online. In 2008, Internet Watch
Foundation found 1,536 individual child abuse domains. 48% were housed in the U.S.
Which of the above statistics seemed normal to you?
1)
2)
Which of the above statistics seemed abnormal to you?
1)
2)
What do these statistics tell us about ourselves? Do they depict an healthy or unhealthy society? Explain.
Reference :
http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornography-statistics.html
www.shelleylubben.com
* Shelley Lubben is a former porn actress that has become an anti-porn crusader.
Quotes from Players in the Porn Industry
« I’m not here to apologize. I’m just here to say, ‘We make entertainment and let’s see how far we can take it.’ »
- Max Hardcore, former porn performer/producer
« Even the mildest pornography is shocking to the average person. I’m surprised it’s legal. »
- Paul Thomas, porn producer
« Degredation drives the business… There are things going on right now that are way over the line. »
- Khan Tusion, porn producer
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« I find myself not that much unlike the slaves and slave traders of some 400 hundred years ago. I participate in
the most heinous of ALL trades- THE BUYING AND SELLING OF HUMAN FLESH. I trade my own flesh for
monetary compensation and I sell the flesh of others for the same. »
- Lexington Steele, porn performer/producer
« Things are getting more and more demeaning towards women. It’s degrading. It’s very, very violent. »
- Sharon Mitchell, Health practicioner with Adult Industry Medical (AIM)
« The industry is full of people that hate women- literally HATE women. »
- Julie Meadows, former porn star
What do the above quotes tell us about the porn industry and/or pornography in general?
List three points that you feel are significant. For example; Pornography is a business.
1)
2)
3)
Reference : www.shelleylubben.com
« Has the relationship between multi-billion-dollar porn industry, compulsiveness, and sexual appetite become
like the relationship between agribusiness, processed foods, supersize portions and obesity? If your appetite is
stimulated and fed by poor-quality material, it takes more junk to fill you up. People are not closer because of
porn but further apart; people are not more turned on in their daily lives, but less so. »
- Naomi Wolf, The Porn Myth; New York Magazine
What is your reaction to the above quote? Do you believe it is a true or false statement? Explain.
MEDIA AND THE SEXUALIZATION OF GIRLS
Sexual well-being is an important part of healthy development, yet evidence suggests that the sexualization of
girls has negative consequences on their overall health, including cognitive, physical, and mental functioning.
There are several components to sexualization. It occurs when :
• A person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behaviour, to the exclusion of other
characreristics;
• A person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness with being sexy;
• A person is sexually objectified- that is, made into a thing for others’ sexual use, rather than seen as a
person with the capacity for independent action and decision making; and/or
• Sexuality is inappropriately imposed upon a person.
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Whether you are a girl or a guy, can you identify a specific situation where you sexually objectified someone?
Write a brief description of what was said.
Virtually every media form provides ample evidence of the sexualization of women, including TV, music videos,
music lyrics, movies, magazines, sports media, video games, the Internet, and advertising.
Over the next 24 hours, take note of how many times you are exposed to the sexualization of women. This may
occur in the media as well as in your school and home environment. Compile the list below.
Frequent exposure to media images that sexualize girls and women affects how females conceptualize
femininity and sexuality. They often place appearance and physical attractiveness at the center of women’s
value. This exposure to narrow ideals of attractiveness is associated with unrealistic and/or negative
expectations concerning sexuality. Young women are under added stress to live up to these images and often
suffer from eating-disorders, low self-esteem, and depression or depressed mood.
The sexualization of girls and women also have a negative impact on society as a whole. Exposure to narrow
ideals of female sexual attractiveness may make it difficult for some men to find an « acceptable » partner or to
fully enjoy intimacy with a female partner.
Obtaining critical skills in viewing and consuming media is key to establishing a healthy outlook. Don’t be fooled
by the images- remember they are being used in order to sell you something!
Analyze an adverstisement that sexualizes women and answer the following :
Describe the ad :
How is it using the sexualization of women to sell you a specific product?
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Looking at the ad, what would a girl think about herself?
Looking at the ad, what would a guy think about himself?
Reference : Sexualization of Girls, Executive Summary; American Psychological Association
ADDICTED TO THE INTERNET
When you feel more comfortable with your online friends than your real ones, or you can’t stop yourself from
playing games, gambling, or compulsively surfing, even when it has negative consequences in your life, then
you may be using the Internet too much. Learn about the signs and symptoms of Internet addiction and how you
can get balance back in your online life.
What is Internet addiction or computer addiction?
Internet addiction, otherwise known as computer addiction, online addiction, or internet addiction disorder
(IAD), covers a variety of impulse-control problems, including:
* Cybersex Addiction – compulsive use of Internet pornography, adult chat rooms, or adult fantasy role-play
sites impacting negatively on real-life intimate relationships.
* Cyber-Relationship Addiction – addiction to social networking, chat rooms and messaging to the point
where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life relationships with family and friends.
* Net Compulsions – such as compulsive online gaming, gambling, stock trading, or compulsive use of online
auction sites such as eBay, often resulting in financial and job-related problems.
* Information Overload – compulsive web surfing or database searching, leading to lower work productivity
and less social interaction with family and friends.
* Computer Addiction – obsessive playing of off-line computer games, such as Solitaire or Minesweeper, or
obsessive computer programming.
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The most common of these Internet addictions are cybersex, online gambling, and cyber-relationship addiction.
Do you know anyone who suffers from IAD? If so, how has it affected your relationship with them?
Healthy vs. unhealthy Internet use
The Internet provides a constant, ever-changing source of information and entertainment, and can be accessed
from most smart phones as well as tablets, laptops, and computers. Email, blogs, social networks, and message
boards allow for both public and anonymous communication about any topic.
Each person’s Internet use is different. You might need to use the Internet extensively for your work, for
example, or you might rely heavily on social networking sites to keep in touch with faraway family and friends.
Spending a lot of time online only becomes a problem when it absorbs too much of your time, causing you to
neglect your relationships, your work, school, or other important things in your life. If you keep repeating
compulsive Internet behavior despite the negative consequences in your offline life, then it’s time to strike a new
balance.
In your opinion, how much is too much Internet usage? Comment.
Many people turn to the Internet in order to manage unpleasant feelings such as stress, loneliness, depression,
and anxiety. When you have a bad day and are looking for a way to escape your problems or to quickly relieve
stress or self-soothe, the Internet can be an easily accessible outlet. Losing yourself online can temporarily
make feelings such as loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression, and boredom evaporate into thin air. As much
comfort as the Internet can provide, though, it’s important to remember that there are healthier (and more
effective) ways to keep difficult feelings in check. These may include exercising, meditating, using sensory
relaxation strategies, and practicing simple breathing exercises.
When do you tend to go online? Are there emotional voids you are trying to fill with the Internet? Comment.
General warning signs that your Internet use may have become a problem:
* Losing track of time online. Do you frequently find yourself on the Internet longer than you intended? Does a
few minutes turn in to a few hours? Do you get irritated or cranky if your online time is interrupted?
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* Having trouble completing tasks at work or home. Do you find laundry piling up and little food in the house
for dinner because you’ve been busy online? Perhaps you find yourself working late more often because you
can’t complete your work on time — then staying even longer when everyone else has gone home so you can
use the Internet freely.
* Isolation from family and friends. Is your social life suffering because of all the time you spend online? Are
you neglecting your family and friends? Do you feel like no one in your “real” life — even your spouse —
understands you like your online friends?
* Feeling guilty or defensive about your Internet use. Are you sick of your spouse nagging you to get off the
computer and spend time together? Do you hide your Internet use or lie to your boss and family about the
amount of time you spend on the computer and what you do while you're online?
* Feeling a sense of euphoria while involved in Internet activities. Do you use the Internet as an outlet when
stressed, sad, or for sexual gratification or excitement? Have you tried to limit your Internet time but failed?
Internet addiction: Cybersex and pornography
While online pornography and cybersex addictions are types of sexual addiction, special challenges on the
Internet include its relative anonymity and ease of access. It’s easy to spend hours on the Internet in the privacy
of your own home, and engage in fantasies impossible in real life.
Compulsively spending hours on the Internet viewing pornography or engaging in other cybersex activities can
adversely affect real-life relationships, career, and emotional health. For most adults, healthy sexuality is an
integrated life experience. Sex with partners, with self, or as a part of exploring new relationships is usually a
pleasurable act of choice. For sexual addicts however, sexual behavior can be most often defined by words
such as driven, compulsive, and hidden. Unlike healthy sex that is integrated into relationships, sexual addicts
use sex as a means to cope, to handle boredom, anxiety, and other powerful feelings or as a way to feel
important, wanted, or powerful.
In your opinion, what is the difference between healthy and unhealthy sexuality? Explain.
At whay point does viewing pornography become unhealthy?
References : Sexual Recovery Institute
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm
FANTASY VS. REAL LIFE
The word pornography, derived from the Greek porni (“prostitute”) and graphein (“to write”), was originally
defined as any work of art or literature depicting the life of prostitutes. Source : Encyclopedia Britannica
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For most of human history, erotic images have been reflections of, or celebration of, or substitutes for real
naked women. For the first time in history, the images’ power and allure have supplanted that of real naked
women.The easy access to porn in the 21st century is responsible for deadening male libido in relation to real
women, and leading men to see fewer and fewer women as « porn-worthy ». Women are worrying that as
mere flesh and blood, they can scarcely get, let alone hold, a man’s attention.
The most profitable porn today is void of feelings and emotions that we normally associate with the act, such as
connection, empathy, tenderness, caring and affection, and are replaced with hate, fear, disgust, anger,
loathing and contempt. Being subjected to these unrealistic scenarios is having detrimental consequences on
society. People are less physically and emotionally satisfied leading to an inability to connect to a real person,
loneliness and depression.
How can we turn things around? How can we take the power out of the hands of the multi-billion dollar porn
industry? Gail Dines is a professor of sociology and women’s studies at Wheelock College in Boston who has
been studying pronography for over twenty years. She believes we need to build a movement that includes
grassroots education programs and media strategies that lead to cultural change. « It also needs to offer an
enticing, positive vision of sexuality based on equality and respect. As long as we have porn, women will never
be seen as full human beings deserving of all the rights that men have ».
Do you agree with Ms Dines statement? Why or why not? Explain.
What are some of the changes you envision for the future? How do we get back to a healthy reality?
References : Gail Dines, Pornland : Effects of Porn on Men www.smh.com.au
Naomi Wolf, The Porn Myth; New York Magazine
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POST-SHOW ACTIVITIES
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THE MYTH OF PANDORA
According to Greek mythology, PANDORA was the very first woman who the gods formed out of clay. The name
Pandora means "All-gifted", as she was bestowed with the gifts of femininity (beauty, talent and cunning). She
was also given a wedding gift by Zeus, which she was instructed not to open. Unbeknownst to her, the gift (a
box) held all of the disease and horror that Man could imagine. Curious, she opened it and all the evils of the
world spilled out. Only one thing was left inside- hope.
The myth of Pandora is ancient, and has been interpreted in many ways. In all literary versions, however, the
myth is interpreted as addressing the question of why there is evil in the world.
Reference : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora
Activity #1:
Research the various interpretations of the myth and compare them to the play. What are the similarities and
differences. Write a one page analysis.
Activity #2 :
According to the myth, Zeus gave Pandora a box that contained not only evils, but also hope.
In the play, how is the Internet synonymous with « Pandora’s Box »?
In the play, do you agree that Pandora is trapped in the « box », which is the world wide web? Explain.
Is there hope in Pandora’s life that she just may not recognize? List some possibilities.
In the play, do Pandora’s final actions indicate a hopeful ending? Explain.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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What would you have done differently? What advice would you give Pandora to help her escape the « box »?
BLOGGING
In the play, Alex is an aspiring writer who publishes short stories on a his blog. Each story has a message and
seems to foreshadow what Pandora is experiencing.
Foreshadowing Definition: A literary device in which an author indistinctly suggests certain plot developments
that might come later in the story.
Activity #1 :
Using the following blog entry, describe what message is being transmitted to the audience and if it
foreshadows certain actions in the play.
It’s the story of a little girl who steals a fox and hides it underneath her sweater.
At first, nothing happens.
It tickles a bit, but that’s it.
The little girl goes to school with the fox underneath her sweater as if it was the most normal thing to do.
But at one point, the fox gets hungry. So it digs its claws into the little girl’s stomach and begins to devour it.
The little girl is in pain, but she doesn’t want anyone to know she stole the fox. She’s afraid she’ll get in trouble.
So she lets the fox tear up her entrails and dies from bleeding out.
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FINDING MEANING
Symbolism Definition: An artistic and poetic movement or style using symbolic images and indirect suggestion
to express mystical ideas, emotions, and states of mind.
There is quite a bit of symbolism in the play. In small groups (if possible, a mix of guys and girls), discuss the
symbolism behind each of the following :
• Field of buzzing hydro towers
• Firefox
• Chickens
• Black stains
Continue working in groups and answer the following questions.
Why does Pandora believe that Alex is not interested in her?
Why does Firefox call Pandora « chickie »? What is the significance?
What does Pandora see on the porn site that is so disturbing?
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Why does she continue to return the site again and again? How does it affect her?
One night Pandora has a dream of Alex. What can that dream tell us about her fears?
Why does Pandora freak out and leave the party at Jasmine’s house?
Is there a link between her freak-out and the porn she’s been watching? Explain.
Firefox calls Pandora a « captive girl ». What does he mean?
Are we held captive by our desires and shame?
What is Alex trying to tell Pandora when he says « I’m not some kind of Prince Charming or anything. » ?
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When Alex asks what Pandora is scared of, she replies, « Of you. Of me. Of what I’m not. » What is Pandora
struggling with?
What is the shame that Pandora refers to?
What does Pandora decide for herself in the end?
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TEACHER QUESTIONNAIRE
P@ndora
Your name
School’s name
Age of students
1.
What were your students’ impressions of the play?
2. Did you think the production was valid from an educational perspective?
3. Artistic Quality
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Script
Actors
Set / Costumes
Lighting / Music
Please comment:
4. Did you experience any problems (i.e. scheduling, punctuality, contact)?
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5. Did you use the Study Guide that was provided by Youtheatre? Yes
Why or why not?
6. Would you book Youtheatre again? Yes
Why or why not?
a.
No
No
Additional comments:
Please send your response by fax (514) 844-2330 or mail it to
Youtheatre 5333 Casgrain #507, Montréal (QC) H2T 1X3
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