Felix - "Oh come off it, Henri! Two percent of our people - including you own ninety-six percent of hte land. The justic they're demanding is in your land; are you ready to give it to them?"
Henri - "To tell the truth, yes, I just might be...I've decide to put the business and both farms up for sale."
Felix - ""Why! -- Those farms are terrific!"
We can already see the character development in Scene 1 of this play by Arthur Miller, and we can already tell what individual character traits each of these two men have. While one is currently worried only about himself (Felix), the other (Henri) is more concerned with the better welfare of not only his daughter Jeanine, but for the people of his country. There are already scenes of foreshadowing, which display the behavioral issues, and issues with greed for that matter, that rise up in the early parts of "Resurrection Blues." Televising a crucifixion for $75 million just shows what great lengths Felix will go to make some money. Although Jeanine opens up the story, and she appears to be the protagonist, Henri is actually the main character in the beginning, because he is the key influence on whether or not he helps Felix. Henri is an admirable character, and we develop sympathy for his daughter because of the kind of man that he is. Not to mention, the fact that he would give up everything to save Jeanine is also more than admirable.
Another thing, I am really enjoying the sarcasm and comedic wit to this play. Arthur Miller truly has a comedic touch when it comes to integrating satire into this particular play. I love the part to which Henri comes into Felix's office to discuss a serious issue, and Felix completely disregards everything simply to ask him if he knows a good dentist. I have not read a good piece of literature that truly displayed a lot of sarcasm and satire, and I must say, it feels really good to read this. I really look forward to reading the rest of this.
Posted by The Gentle Giant at May 1, 2006 11:05 PMI've never read this play before, but I went to see Death of a Salesman the other night and it was so amazing, pretty heart wrenching. I admit I'm a softie, so I cried. He's an amazing writer, his characters are all so nicely constructed and all in and around eachother. In this play it was like they clashed so much that they never got a resolution to things and then he dies. Someone always had an issue that they weren't happy with and it was like watching one of those fights where it goes round and round and you think they have finally resolved it but nooooo, one of them brings something else up and they keep going and going and you just want to tell them to chill out and make the other one a cup of tea or give them a hug. I love things that do that to you, that get you emotional and make you want to scream at them. Its good writng!!ha hhhaa
Posted by: Rose at May 3, 2006 07:55 AMThe satire definitely was refreshing. I especially liked Felix and Henri's interchange as well and Felix's preoccupation with his inability to perform sexually intrigued me. He's seeing an analyst about it when I'm sure he and the analyst were not discussing Felix's eagerness to crucify a man for money.
Posted by: Jennifer DiFulvio at May 3, 2006 12:52 PM