Miller, Resurrection Blues (Online Study Guide): Not funny
I find that Arthur Miller's plays have more comedy than is often understood. (David Esbjornson).
Funny, I just mentioned earlier on classmate Melissa's blog that I don't quite get all the humor that everyone else in my class seems to be picking up on in the play.
Strange, in particular, because I usually enjoy satire. I guess I'm just too burnt out to laugh right now (final assignments and final exams, unfortunately). I think I might have to go back and read the play again after the semester ends, so I can take some time to really try and appreciate the humor (and whatever else I may be missing in my yawn-riddled stupor).
Anyways, I really enjoyed the very first essay-reading in this online compilation, the excerpt from a talk by Sir Richard Eyre. His qualifications as a theatre buff are obvious right from the start, in part because he has that sort of easy yet authoritative tone that makes you want to lean forward in your chair and really pay attention. I loved his discussion of the profound effect Millers' plays had on British theatre; I never really thought much about the American culture behind his plays. I thought the connection Eyre made between The Crucible and the War on Terror was especially insightful. I somewhat vaguely remember reading that play back in high school, so the details are fuzzy, but I can recall the general plot and it was indeed one of the most captivating plays I've ever read. I remember rooting for John Proctor while I read, hoping that there would be some final twist and he'd escape his fate at the last possible moment, but I suppose the ending as it stands serves a better purpose than satisfaction.