comfort zone

5)Audience reaction is crucial to Ensler’s overall project. Why? Why won’t she allow us to simply read without having a reaction, whether positive or negative? Why do you think she wants to push us out of our comfort zones? Which monologues resonate most strongly (positively or negatively) with you and why?

I believe that the whole point of this book was to catch peoples eyes. The word "vagina" is almost discomforting, awkward and bold wrapped into one. It's discomforting because it's used as a dirty word for sex. Its awkward because no one is ever willing to talk about it; that elephant in the room. It's bold because of the way it sounds and the way it is used in this title. The sound of "vagina" is almost like a punch. The hard vowels and the way its pronounced. Ensler actually excentuates the word in the title which makes people that much more curious about the book, is it a pornographic book? Is it a womans rights book? Or does it have nothing to actually do with the vagina??
In the monologue "because he liked to look at it", even the man becomes comforatable with the womans sexuality, which makes both parties gain confidence in them selves. "He wasn't grossed out. I began to swell, began to feel proud. Began to love my vagina. And Bob lost himself there and I was there with him, in my vagina, and we were gone." This can be interpreted in so many ways. It doesn't necessarily have to be about accepting your vagina but about accepting YOURSELF, male or female. Feeling comforatable with yourself has no price and can be discovered when ever you want.
I believe Ensler used the word "vagina" as a positive attribute to selling her book.... Let's face it.....It's hard not to stop and stare at the word because it's rarely spoken of, it's almost a mystery. I believe Enslers goal was to make people feel uncomforatable so that they will find and interest in the word. Not to mention, the book wasn't just about the word "vagina". The book consisted of that lack of confidence that both women AND men can feel. Most men would think that this book was a "penis basher" when in reality, it makes them realize how truely similar we are. Like women, men have their embarassing moments, their proud moments and their unsure moments. I believe this discomfort oddly brings along a sense of comfort, the fact that everyone is human and to be imperfect well...THAT"S LIFE!