(presentation lesson: social factors)

The first part of information that I recieved from the presentation, revolved around the social factors of the time. This covered a great deal of the social norms of the time of Strindberg's life and of him writing the play, In my opinion this gave me a great deal of insight into his motivations and also of how he developed the views he did regarding gender and class. A key issue throughout the 1800's in Sweden was focused primarily around the class divide, to perform any kind of class transitioning was seen as almost imposssible. This may only be the first fact recieved from the presentations but it already gives some insight that this was the justifiable cause of reason behind Strindberg's choice to select a relationship regarding a woman known as being in the upper class, and of course the footman of the estate. Of course this meant in the era gossip was frivolous and scandal was often awry which is hinted at in the beginning of the play itself as Kristen and Jean discuss how he had seen Miss Julie commanding her husband with a riding crop as well as openly dancing with one of the servants (Jean himself). Of course during the time of writing Miss Julie August Strindberg would've picked up on the fact that women were getting closer and closer in Sweden to achieving the goal of recieving equal rights in the way of voting or other means. Also due to the influence of some forms of press this movement was publicly kept in a bad light, something that Strindberg may have intended to communicate if his play hadn't been banned from being performed. Due to the social class divide it may have been the representation of class instead of the representation of women that might have provided him the troubles that he had recieved for the play.