As dictionary.com would define it, a melodrama is a play or film, which is characterized by exaggerated emotions, stereotypical characters, and interpersonal conflicts. David Belasco's Girl of the Golden West is exactly this. Even when on first reads its title, it sends off a vibe of this incredible story which isn't just of the West, but of the Golden West. Belasco emphasizes "the girl" as the main character who even tho is named, Minnie, is most always referred to as "the girl". This gives her a sense of mystery as though no one can really know who she really is inside. All the men want her and Belasco shows their exaggerated emotions through their desperate attempts to marry and get with the girl. Of course, Rance is the most exaggerated of these men.
This story immediatly caught my attention since it was a romance, which i love! :) I got caught up in the story and I could feel myself rooting for Johnson, the bad guy. Do you think that Belasco's intentions were for the reader to want the girl to fall in love and run away with the bad guy, Johnson, or to finally give in to the persistant and "good guy" Rance?
This was a really good play to read and I think it would be interesting to see the play and see if they differ? I think the play would be more real and dramatic than just reading it, although it's interesting to read it yourself and have your own mini play in your head because you may interpret it a totally diferent way than someone else.
Posted by ErinManko at November 28, 2004 07:58 PM