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Senior Jennifer Engstrom (Sierra Vista, Ariz.) is exploring the roles of female characters in English plays from the medieval period through the 17th century for her honors thesis.
An English major, Engstrom is undertaking the yearlong study under the guidance of Suzanne Westfall, professor of English.
Westfall is coeditor of Theatrical Patronage in Shakespeare’s England, published this year by Cambridge University Press, and author of Patrons and Performance: Early Tudor Household Revels. In addition to publishing articles in books and journals, Westfall has presented her research at forums held by Leeds University (England), Medieval Conference, Group for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Shakespeare Association of America. She also has directed more than a dozen plays at Lafayette.
“Dr. Westfall knows everything about the drama of this time period. I feel that I am smarter every time I walk out of a meeting with her,” Engstrom says.
After completing a paper about representation of patriarchal values on the 17th century English stage, Engstrom chose to further pursue the topic. She noticed that outspoken, assertive female characters were often killed off by the end of plays in this period. She then considered the message women in the audience received.
“I am fascinated by the way male playwrights of this time period used the stories of Eve and the Virgin Mary to teach women about their roles in society,” she says.
“I am focusing specifically on mother-daughter relationships, or more accurately, the lack thereof, along with the roles of both courtesans and nuns,” explains Engstrom. “I am interested in understanding the significance of these ‘missing women,’ and the way their absence changes our interpretation of the text.” She also is examining how “demonizing” women or eliminating them completely fits into the construction of a patriarchal system.
“Jen’s challenge is to immerse herself sufficiently in the period so that she can understand not only audience reception and response, but also the patriarchal didacticism that produced these plays,” says Westfall.
“Dr. Westfall is highly qualified as an adviser, but I know that she truly cares about me as a person as well,” says Engstrom. “Many times when we meet, the thesis is discussed only after she checks to see how I am doing. She’s always willing to listen, no matter what it is I want to talk about, academic or not.”
“I do care about my students, particularly the ones who have taken responsibility for their educations,” Westfall says. “Jen is intellectually curious and committed to her education. She is outspoken and takes risks in the classroom, often voicing the questions and comments that others [won’t] propose. She’s never boring!”
Engstrom, who is working towards teacher certification, believes that Lafayette is an “amazing environment.” She feels that she understands this better than most students due to her position as a transfer student.
“The availability of all my professors, not just Dr. Westfall, is the most amazing thing about Lafayette to me,” she says. “It is very helpful for my thesis; I have discussed the project with other professors and they are also always willing to help, even though it isn’t a project they are advising.”
Engstrom is following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Robert Keibe ’37, who also was an English major at Lafayette.