EL150: Resurrection Blues Pt 3

Miller, "Resurrection Blues" Pt 3

I can't say I was really surprised by the ending of "Resurrection Blues," since it was alluded to rather early on in the play. Miller's decision to plant the seed of doubt regarding the Messiah's existence was never really stopped from growing after its first mention. There really wasn't a point after Henri first proposes the idea where I was lead to believe that this character actually did exist.

The ending to the play involves an emotional debate and goodbye to a beam of light above the stage. It's hard to really imagine the actors getting worked up and teary-eyed about a character you never meet. The emotional impact of these events is somewhat watered down because of this. The play also seems wrap things up rather quickly during the last few scenes, and so the ideas and drama seem under developed.

Miller's message at the end of the play simply goes back to the individual. Rather than placing our beliefs on a figurehead, we merely look within ourselves for the moral good. While I don't necessarily agree with his message, he really drives it home with Stanley's character.

When asked about whether or not Charlie should be god, Stanley replies "He could be god like... in a more general inspirational way. I mean the actual improvements would just have to be up to us, that's all."

Jeanine reaffirms his statement, replying, "And each for himself."

Perhaps Miller is making a stab at organized religion, being a non-practicing Jew. Is he asserting that each person should worship on his/her own, without the guide of a Messiah? Or perhaps he's leaving it even more open, because many of the characters still say "goodbye" to Charlie, so that people could look to a Messiah if they need one.

The idea of the reality TV producer seemed undeveloped by the end of the play. A one-dimensional character that was merely after one thing: ratings. Maybe this is Miller's view of TV execs, but I personally thought he could have tried a little harder.