#76806
07/24/2002 1:03 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
Friday last, I saw Synge's Playboy of the Western World again, and as always happens, I saw different thing in the play since the last time i saw it. Classically, the play is about the idea of violence being idealized, by people far removed from it, and it becomes abhorrent when viewed up close. (is was written in 1907, the beginning of the time know as "the troubles", leading up to Irish independence.) The basic story is about one Christopher Mahon, (Christy) who arrives in a small town, and tell a story of killing his father. In the first act, he claims to be shy, not good with girls, a middling scholar, and so on… he seem honest enough in relating that he is, or thinks he is no special character. But the small town embraces him, hails him almost as hero, all the girl are interested, from the 15 year old misses, to the 30-year-old widow Quinn. By Act 3, his father has reappeared, not dead at all, and Christy is scorned as liar and braggart. A fight with his father again, and Christy is again lays a blow that fells his father. But now the town folks, seeing the violence up close, are repelled, and attempt to restrain him, and to turn him over to the law. But like a bad penny, Old Da, reappears, not quite dead yet, and tell the folk he and son will be on their way. But, now, there is change in Christy. First seen a hero, then, as a monstrous villein, he realizes, his own power. Seeing the play this time round, and knowing the classic theme of violence near and far, and how each is accorded, I was free to see other themes, most notably, how malleable, and effected Chrisy, (and all of us) are by others words.. Words that made him a man (the playboy of the western world), and words have made him a demon, words have changed him. And he goes off with his father, not as a reluctant child, but with himself in power. Hailed in the first act as "the playboy of the western world", later vilified, he is forever changed by how he hears other speak of him. He proclaims:" Ten thousand blessings upon all that’s here, for you’ve turned me a likely gaffer in the end of all, the way I’ll go romancing through a romping lifetime from this hour to the dawning of the judgment day.Milum, said my words changed him.. I know I have been changed by words. sometimes words said to me, sometimes by words I have read.. there are powerful words. Some are prose, some are poetry? any set of words that come to mind? Any you want to share? For those who are unfamiliar with the play, http:// www.bartleby.com/1010/
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#76807
07/24/2002 1:17 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
formerly known as etaoin...
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#76808
07/24/2002 1:41 AM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
"It's a girl, and she's a live one and kickin'!"
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#76809
07/24/2002 1:51 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
formerly known as etaoin...
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#76810
07/24/2002 12:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
"There is nothing that can happen to a person that is as important as how he reacts to it".
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#76811
07/24/2002 1:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
In reply to:
"There is nothing that can happen to a person that is as important as how he reacts to it".
or put another way, the way I learned it,
"sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never harm me."
formerly known as etaoin...
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#76812
07/24/2002 5:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Not even those of a judge wearing a black cap?
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#76813
07/24/2002 6:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
Powerful words:
From a cop, "Do you know what the speed limit is on this road?"
From a teacher, professor... "This essay was positively inspiring!"
At Yuletide for Yuletide celebrants: "Joy to the world!"
From an editor: We would like to publish _____________ in our next [summer, fall, winter, spring] edition of _____________________
From someone desired, "I'm in love with you."
From my daughter: "Mama! You didn't burn supper!"
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#76814
07/24/2002 9:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 279
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 279 |
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#76815
07/24/2002 9:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 279
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 279 |
Ah no, only joken.
"Sometimes nothin is a real cool hand"
"Here's the tenner I owes ya"
"Sorry GTed, ya was right all along"
"And so on and so fourth"
Be seein ya
GT
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#76816
07/25/2002 11:02 AM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
"There is nothing that can happen to a person that is as important as how he reacts to it".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
or put another way, the way I learned it,
"sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never harm me."
Well, I see the first statement as being much more inclusive; for ex., losing a loved one, learning that you have a devastating illness, or...finding your first gray hair(!).
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#76817
07/25/2002 11:15 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
yes, you're right. more like two facets of the same stone.
formerly known as etaoin...
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#76818
07/25/2002 12:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
There is nothing that can happen to a person that is as important as how he reacts to it.
The more I read this, the more situations I can identify to which it applies. Eternally relevant.
Who first said this, Jackie? If known, that is.
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#76819
07/25/2002 12:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Who first said this, Jackie? If known, that is.
Hi, Sweetie; I posted this a long time ago--possibly before you joined, or during your too-long hiatus, but I'll put it again. I first heard it in a sermon oh, probably nearly 20 years ago now (mercy, time is flying--my older child will be legally an adult in a few months). Our preacher at the time wasn't all that long on brains, so I suspect he quoted it from somewhere. But it sure made a heck of an impact on me, to remember it all this time. By most Sunday evenings, I couldn't tell you what the sermon had been that morning!
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#76820
07/25/2002 12:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,346 |
Some are prose, some are poetry? any set of words that come to mind?I find simple short poems (or poetic phrases) work best for me. A favourite of mine was one of the Poems on the Underground (displayed in place of ads on tube trains - wonderful idea):
Everything changes. We plant
trees for those born later
but what's happened has happened,
and poisons poured into the seas
cannot be drained out again.
What's happened has happened
poisons poured into the seas
cannot be drained out again, but
everything changes. We plant
trees for those born later.
-- Cicely Herbert http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/938.html
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