Plot
Thomas
Vanda
Connection to Bacchae
Theme/Symbols
100
What is the setting of Thomas and Vanda's reading?
A bare rented studio - New York City
100
What is the name of the character that Thomas reads for?
Severin Kushemski
100
What is Vanda wearing when she enters the studio?
She is wearing a coat, a leather top, a leather skirt, and a dog collar.
100
Who first compared Venus in Fur to The Bacchae?
Thomas
100
Why does Vanda have a prop for Thomas?
Because her intentions weren't just to audition.
200
What is the setting of the play that Thomas adapted?
A remote inn - Austro-Hungarian border
200
Why is Thomas hesitant about allowing Vanda to audition?
Because Vanda fits the stereotype of the kind of person Thomas didn't want to audition.
200
What is the name of the character Vanda is auditioning for?
Vanda Dunayev
200
How was the initial meeting between Thomas and Vanda comparable to the meeting between Dionysus and Pentheus?
There is a power struggle, Vanda = Dionysus, Thomas = Pentheus
200
What are the main themes of Venus in Fur?
Power and sexuality.
300
Whose novel is Thomas' play based on?
Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch
300
How are Thomas and Severin Kushemski similar?
They both want to be controlled in some way.
300
Why does Vanda dodge Thomas' personal questions?
To keep up an air of mystery.
300
What God from Venus in Fur is compared to Dionysus from The Bacchae?
Aphrodite/Venus
300
What is one of Vanda's feminist critiques of Thomas' adaptation of the play?
Objectification of women, demonizing women, etc.
400
In what instances, do we see Thomas catch Vanda in her lies?
The fact that she's prepared, she references the Bible, she has the whole script, etc.
400
What is the name of Thomas' fiancée?
Stacy
400
How is Vanda similar to Venus?
She has a supernatural quality. She is seductive and dominating.
400
What is Vanda's reaction to Thomas bringing up Venus in Fur's connection to The Bacchae?
She just brushes it off, and she is familiar with the fact that it is an older play. She doesn't seem to place much importance in it.
400
What are some examples of Metatheatre in Venus in Fur?
There is an audition and a reading in the play, it is literally a play within a play. The costumes that Vanda brings serve as an example of metatheatre as well.
500
What is the purpose of the improvised scene between Vanda and Thomas?
It builds sexual tension, which pushes the plot along. It also gives Vanda more control over Thomas.
500
Why does Thomas allow Vanda to read for him, even though she is late?
He was intrigued by her (similar to Pentheus and Dionysus), etc.
500
What is the significance of Vanda being prepared, but acting as if she is not?
It provides us with an insight on her motivations - which are to gain control over Thomas.
500
How are Dionysus and Vanda similar?
They are both in disguise as something that they are not.
500
What is the significance of the hammer and the anvil?
Power struggle - One partner must rule
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