Show and Tell- The Boor

The Boor is an interesting one–act play about the indecisiveness of feelings and commitment. A central theme I noticed between the two main characters was how close their relationship was between passion and anger.  The title supports this theme having “The Boor” be translated into “The Bear”. At first thought, I assumed it meant because Mrs. Popov is remaining faithful by “hibernating” inside her home, but it actually deals with her and Smirnov’s hot tempered, rude, yet romantic by nature character- like a bear. The play is seen as a farce for being very anticlimactic but also very absurd and over dramatic. 

4000 Miles Miles Miles Miles ... Motif

One of the main motifs I noticed throughout the play was the obvious Vera saying "Whatcha call it", but another main one I noticed was Leo's entire persona. He refused to be connected to anyone, he was always traveling, and refused to be owned by anything or anyone. Towards the end the motif shifts and he begins to allow relationships to develop, especially with Vera.

Trifles

Trifles was interesting read to me and I really appreciated the loyalty to your own sex. I believe that each sex should be proud of where they came from, who they are, and what they are capable of doing. But this play harps on getting on to the opposite sex. When the sheriff comments on how dirty the place is the two women retaliate with men aren't as clean as they think. When thinking of the play world it is hard to take out given psychology. In this I mean when the two women comment on how uncherrful Mr.Wright is and how trapped mrs. Wright felt. I also really loved how at the end they found a box with a bird and he head was snapped. Kind of like mr. Wright. I guess she knotted it after all.

Judith

The MDQ I felt necessary for this play was whether or not Judith's feelings for Holofernes were real outside the given moments. I know in the heat of the moment Judith felt as if she had true feelings for him, as does he I believe Holofernes did have true feelings and felt at peace with this woman killing him, but I felt as if Judiths feelings couldn't have been as passionate because she was very hellbent on accomplishing her initial goal and she just fell into her emotions.

Night Mother

When thinking about the MDQ for 'Night, Mother', I found myself questioning  whether or not Jessie will commit suicide. Arguably, after the reading of the play I knew her choice was thought out, final, and she had made peace with it prior to her actions. Mama attempts to show Jessie she has a reason to live, but slowly concludes that maybe she doesn't. Her daughter's father is dead, her daughter's son is gone, so really what other choice does Jessie have?  Jessie explains her rational through a bus logic. Stating you want to get off the bus because it's so hot but you still have a ways to go and  "I can get off right now if I want to, because even if I ride fifty more years and get off then, it's the same place when I step down to it. Whenever I feel like it, I can get off. As soon as I've had enough, it's my stop. I've had enough."

Her mother seems sympathetic towards this. So to answer the question, I do not agree with the given MDQ because that answer is clearly given. Instead I would look and study the play with the MDQ being "Whether or not Mama will be able to make/ or made peace with her daughter's decision too. 

I mean after all, Mama did make a phone call immediately after the shot was fired...

Overtones

Alice Gerstenberg's Overtones is one of the earliest examples of a play that exaggerates the unconscious on stage. Gerstenberg chose to use two actresses for both Margaret and Harriet. Each embodies a desperate part of the character's personality; or simply, one is the id and the other the ego. In Overtones, Harriet and Margaret are the cultured and refined selves, while Hetty and Maggie represent the wild, primitive desires of these same women. Both women want something from one another and both feel as if their goal will be met. 

All in all I liked the play a lot, but I also think the unconsciousness of both characters can reflect that of any human. Better just stick with the truth, because enteral dialogue can be a bit tricky- especially if they're stronger than you.