Considering the characters, their situations, and the choices that they make, does this play express a feminist message? Write an opinion essay as your answer.

Three female playwrights won Pulitzer Prizes in the 1980s: Beth Henley in 1981; Marsha Norman in 1983; and Wendy Wasserstein in 1989. Research these women and compare their prize-winning works.

The work of Beth Henley is often described as Southern Gothic. What is Southern Gothic and what elements of The Miss Firecracker Contest fit into this category?

Beth Henley is often compared to other Southern writers such as Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and Tennessee Williams. Research one of these writers and discuss his or her similarities to Henley.

Do you think that beauty contests are sexist and demeaning to women, or do you think they have value in U.S. culture? Write an essay defending your position.