Okay, so I stretched a little with that title. But was it just me, or did anyone else feel like they'd travelled through time and stepped into a John Wayne western? I for one am very glad that at this painful end of the semester, we have a relatively easy and quick read in the form of a play. Sure, Belasco's melodramatic. Sure, some of the lines sound like they're full of corn and cheese. Sure, he ain't Shakespeare, but bless his soul for giving us accessible material. The language, the style, the stage set-up are all contemporary and invite the reader in to step into another world where gun shots are fired at the drop of a hat and a woman's honor holds some weight, despite the plethora of men surrounding her. Granted this is a southern story, so honor is the beginning and ending of life in this case. Even down to the dirty, rotten, no good Jonathan, who kissed the girl and made her cry.
On a slightly serious note, I think the play is a good reminder of the fact that, melodramatic or not, emotions play an important part in directing the actions of people and can't always be disregarded as overbearing or sappy. On the contrary, ever since reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez for World Lit, I'm convinced that passion drives people to strengthen their bonds with the world around them. Of course, passion and love don't necessarily have to take on a carnal cloak to be rendered in daily life. Passion can arise from compassion and concern for those who are loved the most. For instance:
The Girl: Oh, yes, you would - yes you would - if you seen how hard they got it. When I think of it - I - I nearly cry. You know there's something awful pretty in the way the boys hold out before they strike it - awful pretty - in the face of rocks and clay and alkali (208).
At the end of the day, it's always good to unwind with a good old fashioned love story.
Posted by NehaBawa at December 5, 2005 11:03 PM | TrackBackNeha, I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying this play. Yes, I did try to pick something light and enjoayble for this stressful time of the year. I like your assessment of the setting. Yes, in fact, the setting is the Old West, rather than the Old South.
Ok, Miss Smarty-Pants, since you always try and ask me some deep question in your comments that requires me to think, I'll do the same thing for you!
Do you think that there's also some pity in that compassion that the Girl shares in that line?
...Ok, that was bad. But if you answer it I'll bring you Cheerios to class tomorrow. :-)
Posted by: Valerie Masciarelli at December 5, 2005 11:57 PM