Cloud Nine: historical context

Historical Context

Cloud Nine, set partially in colonial Africa, portrays the simultaneous oppression of colonised people and women, representing the structure of the British Empire in the 19th century.
The character of Clive signifies the authority and dominance of British colonialists, while Joshua represents the marginalised indigenous population.
Churchill uses the colonial backdrop to symbolise the extensive domination and repression that extended not only to colonies but also in gender and sexuality norms.

Act 2, set in the 1970s, coincides with the peak of the second-wave feminism or women’s liberation movement, which fought for equal social, political, and economic rights.
The journeys of Betty and Victoria, each breaking free from societal restrictions, reflect the objectives of this movement.
The characters’ journeys to self-exploration and liberation testify to the wave of change that sparked by the Women’s Liberation Movement.

During the 1970s - the timeline for Act 2, there were significant shifts in societal attitudes towards homosexuality and gender roles. This period coincides with the emergence of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Gerry and Edward’s relationship reflects the struggle and experiences of homosexual men during that time.
The shift from rigid heteronormative expectations to a more progressive acceptance of diverse sexual orientations in Act 2 is a direct commentary on historical changes during this era.

The tropes of Victorian society — such as repressiveness, conservative norms, the sanctity of family and stiff class hierarchy — are heavily prevalent in Act 1.
The character of Betty, unable to fulfil her desires and trapped in a patriarchal society, represents the typical Victorian woman.
Cloud Nine highlights the rigid gender disparity and norms of the Victorian era, a significant characteristic of Britain’s societal structure during the 1800s.

The setting of Act 2 in 1970s London, occurring two decades post-decolonisation, reflects the postcolonial context of Britain.
This era, grappling with collective guilt and a struggle to reposition Britain’s identity after its colonial past, greatly influences the character’s actions, particularly their quest to establish personal identities freed from societal norms.