Herland Modern Soundtrack

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper is the song that immediately came to me at the beginning of Herland when the men first encountered Celis, Alima and Ellador up in a tree. “”Celis,” she said distinctly, pointing to the one in blue; “Alima”- the one in rose; then, with a vivid imitation of Terry’s impressive manner, she laid a firm delicate hand on her gold- green jerk- “Ellador”” (Perkins 17). This scene came across as funny and light-hearted, like the song, because it seemed Ellador was in a way making fun of Terry and his overdramatized introductions. If the song had been played during this scene it would have made clear the women’s personality and intentions and also would have added to the humorousness.  

“Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” by Aretha Franklin is the next song in my hypothetical soundtrack. This song would have been perfectly placed in the section where Van is recounting the history of how Herland became a land of all women. “There were many of them, and but few of these would- be masters, so the young women, instead of submitting, rose in sheer desperation and slew their brutal conquerors” (Perkins 59). The song if played during this scene would have permeated a feeling of feminine power. The emotion of the song reflects what these women were doing. The song might seem a little light- hearted because of the women’s desperation but the meaning of the song is saying what needs to be said. These women did not need men to survive and thrive.  

“Complicated” by Avril Lavigne reminds me of the scene when Van is expressing the men’s desire to live in separate houses with their wives and he tries to communicate to Ellador that he just wants to be alone with her. ““We are alone, dear,” Ellador explained to me with gentle patience. “We are alone in these great forests; we may go and eat in any little summer- house- just we two”” (Perkins 137). In this scene it is obvious that Van is becoming slightly annoyed and maybe a little frustrated that Ellador does not understand him. The song talks about how she likes her boyfriend just the way he is and she does not understand why things have to be so complicated. If the song had been played during this scene it would have made Van’s plight easier to understand and would have gained him some sympathy from the reader.    

“Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem featuring Rihanna is the perfect song for the act where Terry tries to attack Alima in her room. “Love the Way You Lie” is a song about a couple who love each other but are in a drastically tumultuous relationship. More than once in the book the story refers to Alima and Terry’s relationship as on- again, off- again and both had short tempers. This song would describe Alima’s attack perfectly. “Terry put in practice his pet conviction that a woman loves to be mastered, and by sheer brute force, in all the pride and passion of his intense masculinity, he tried to master this woman” (Perkins 145). The unrestrained relationship described in the song and in the book are a perfect match and hearing the song during this scene would have further proven how the relationship between Terry and Alima was filled with conflict.

Finally, “Leave (Get Out)” by JoJo was quite fitting in the final acts of the novel when Terry was banished by the women of Herland. While Alima was not the specific woman that banished or “broke up with” Terry, her beliefs and feelings were reflected in that of her sisters. “After a while Terry had his sentence. He waited, grim and defiant. The sentence was: “You must go home”” (Perkins 146)! The trial was Alima’s final farewell to Terry and her way of telling him to get out. A slowed down version of this song would have made the scene where they announced Terry’s sentence even more damning.