2007. In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present activities, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show how the character's relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.
The play "The American Dream" written by Edward Albee, is a classic of the theater of absurd. Albee draws on several elements to illuminate the oddity of this play. One includes eluding to the family's unbelievable past. As readers learn more about the bumble, we are able to understand the plot and story line much better.
Every single member of the family has a past that involves the bumble. Due to the arrival of Mrs Barker and later the Young Man, they are forced to contend with that past. While most charecters facing thier past would normally recollect on what happened, none of the family does. The readers are left in the dark, forced to piece together the story line of their past that no one seems to remember. This unknown past is literally the basis of the entire story. That is why everyone is here that day. The past events add a creepy undertone to what would otherwise seem like a pretty normal story line. It also lets readers gather a deeper understanding of who mommy and daddy really are and the theme of the story. We can see that they closely relate to the theme, which is the American dream. Many would assume that they achieved that dream in the past when the bumble was present, but mommy and daddy thought otherwise. They were never satisfied and will only ever achieve false satisfaction.
Albee's lack of details in this story adds to the mysterious ambiance of both the past and the present. His use of Diction and language make up for the lack of details. For example, Albee uses a lot of repetition of certain words to emphasize a point. Also, he uses very bland language to symbolize the family and the life they live. Many times the tone is hard to receive, as a reader you are not sure whether they are being condescending or admiring. Albee also switches the roles back and forth, as it seems like either mommy or daddy are always playing the child, due to their lack there of.
"The American Dream" would not be the play it is without the aspect of their past.This personal elements adds to the character's relationships and the works meaning as a whole.
~Dana
You do a great job of getting your point across in this essay; your entire second paragraph is full of interesting observation and analysis of how the concept of the past affects the story. You also do a good job of avoiding plot summary and repetition. There's nothing redundant in your essay and it's very concise, well thought-out, and to the point.
ReplyDeleteYou could consider adding some specific examples into your body paragraphs. I think that quotes from the play would help to further emphasize your point and add a lot of depth. You don't have many grammar mistakes, but I would capitalize "Mommy" and "Daddy" to show that they are proper nouns and characters in the play! Other than that, your essay is really good!
Your body paragraphs are full of good ideas and support from the play, but organization would improve your response. First, your thesis needs to answer the prompt. The bumble does represent the past, but you need to suggest how mommy and daddy's relationship with the bumble affect the present, and the meaning, of this relationship. You did do a good job of stating techniques the author used, but some examples, or more specific ideas would strengthen your support.
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