Maria Fornes’
writing is extremely effective. She likes to keep the audience on the edge of
their seat and on the tips of their toes. The use of connotative language,
intense/uncomfortable subject matter, and short scenes keep the show rolling at
an engaging pace. It’s almost as if her writing and staging style mirror the
plot. Being a show involving rape, the experience of watching it should not be
an enjoyable one. You should feel uncomfortable. You should feel violated. You
should feel confused. And you should feel effected. Maria Fornes’ dramaturgical choices aid the
formation of a disturbing, suspenseful, and real show. I think that the show is
called “The Conduct of Life” because each character within the show falls into
a role. Orlando does the “effecting” and the women of the show act accordingly.
Nena in the center of the play even says, “I want to conduct each day of my life
in the best possible way”. This statement is up for interpretation because by
whose definition is Nena living? Her own? God’s? Orlando’s? All of the women
struggle to conduct themselves with grace and correctness. But it seems that each character has a different idea of what grace and correctness is.
I am intrigued by your response to the "bonus" question. originally, i thought the title was simply ironic. basically, that these people no absolutely nothing when it comes to maintaining acceptable conduct in today's world. however, i think your answer is far more suiting. even though every character (besides nena) has some serious issues and could use a lesson on how to behave civily, doesn't mean every character intends on acting like an animal. i believe each character has truly convinced him or herself that what he/she is doing or how he/she is behaving is the appropriate way. they all have widely different opinions on how they should treat other people and go about their own business.
ReplyDeleteI liked that you question what Nena meant in her quote. I too discussed it in my Conduct of Life blog and my perspective was that she lived her life despite her hardships and dealt with it. She sees her tragedy in the best possible light. I didn't think of it as the best possible way by someone ELSE's standards.
ReplyDeleteI definitely felt all of those things that you thought Fornes was attempting to force on the audience. It was almost impossible to read because of how uncomfortable I felt.