Season 1
Season 1 treatments are broken down into themes and incorporate discussions from the entire first season.
The Significance of the Eggplant Joke
If you have been paying close attention, there is a recurring joke throughout Orange Is the New Black. We never get the full joke, but we always get the punchline. In case you have forgotten, we hear this joke (rather, its punchline) three times: Red tells the beautiful, young, and rich Ukranian woman the joke … Continue reading The Significance of the Eggplant Joke
Sexism and Power Struggle
The correctional officers, mainly male, rule over the powerless female inmates. As a result, they become “territorial” and condescending. What happens, however, when a powerful woman rules over the all? Despite the idealistic notion that a woman in power should “smash” the Patriarchy and restore balance between women and men, Natalie Figueroa demonstrates her willingness … Continue reading Sexism and Power Struggle
Freedoms (or the Lack Thereof) in Litchfield
Once the women step foot in Litchfield, they are robbed of their freedoms. Since they are treated like animals (or at least children) and are robbed of their identities, anything the women may do that could redefine them as something other than an “inmate” or refer to their lives outside of prison is suppressed. From … Continue reading Freedoms (or the Lack Thereof) in Litchfield
The Cycle of Incarceration: Education and Class in Litchfield
Among the dozens of factors separating and classifying the women of Litchfield, education and socioeconomic standing create the biggest divide. Those who are repeat offenders often have little or no education or socioeconomic support upon leaving prison; first-timers like Piper Chapman (“rich bitches,” as Pennsatucky calls them in 109) often are in for minor offenses … Continue reading The Cycle of Incarceration: Education and Class in Litchfield
Racism in the Litch
Jenji Kohan has a knack for representing racism when it comes to the populations of prison: white, black, Latina, and others. While many of the remarks made are based on stereotypes, several characters validate as well as invalidate these generalizations. To illustrate the racial divide (white, black Hispanic, golden girls & others), the Women’s Advisory … Continue reading Racism in the Litch
The Bases Are Loaded: Sex and Sexuality in Litchfield
Lezbehonest, “a body gets lonely in here,” as Sophia Burset highlights. The only way these women can make it through their prison sentences is with a bit of love and companionship. The women have sex – with each other, with guards (but more frequently with each other) – which isn’t a problem for many of … Continue reading The Bases Are Loaded: Sex and Sexuality in Litchfield
A Prisoner’s Guide to Survival
The inmates are largely preoccupied by the fact that life carries on while theirs is put on hold until further notice. Nicky Nichols and Piper Chapman, while on lunch break, discuss how they want to scream and cry and “kill [themselves]” each and every morning, and ultimately how that feeling never goes away. Many of … Continue reading A Prisoner’s Guide to Survival
Litchfield: A Microcosm of the Real World
250 Inmates. 250 Sentences. 250 Stories. “You can rage, but they always win. They’re the ones with the keys… . It’s not living … you ain’t a person anymore. They keep you here until they break you” (109). Litchfield is a microcosm of the real world. Viewing Orange Is the New Black with this in mind allows … Continue reading Litchfield: A Microcosm of the Real World
Literary Litchfield 