The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman :: The Little Foxes

Lillian Hellmans The Little Foxes shows a large amount of feminist movement throughout the play. Lillian intertwines economical independent with feminism several times. Regina Hubbard is constantly the main character involved with the economical independence and feminism. Birdy and Alexandra Hubbard are portrayed for their top executive to machinate above the oppression that surrounds them during most of the play. Hellmans portrayal of Regina shows her as the wickedest character. This serves as a foundation to the message that when women are powerless they will do anything to over come it (Friedman 81). Regina shows her true nature towards the end of the play. Regina was forced to stay with Horace after she married him because she had none of her own financial backing. Since Hellman had equated money with independence Regina has no option but to stay with Horace until she gains her own money and in turn her independence. Her strife for independence highlights her feminist nature . She is willing to endure unhappiness for as long as it takes to be independent (Friedman 82). Regina appears cold and conniving. While her husband lays dying in the house, she tells her bothers and Leo that she can put them in jail for what they have done wholly while keeping it unknown that she does not really know what happened. Her calm and calculating demeanor as she negotiates shows her as a very focused person. level(p) though her husband lies dying she only appears to care about her money and how she can manipulate her brothers to her advantage (Galens 166). Regina says that she marries Horace solely for his money and status. She stats that she hates him and cannot wait until he dies. This blowup that shows Reginas true feelings allows the reader to see her as a feminist in a way. She was so determined to get what she wanted that she bounded herself in a situation that she abhors for years just for a chance to achieve her goal (Galens 156). At the end of the play Alexand ra ask her mother is she afraid (225). This telephone circuit parallels the one in Whos Afraid of Virginia Wolf. This gives the idea that Regina only terrorized others as a coping mechanism to get over her own fears. Reginas ability to overcome her fears shows her feminist side despite the immoral methods she chose (lord 146).Reginas daughter Alexandra has had her decisions made for her by her mother in the early parts of the play.