Fences.

The play Fences by August Wilson, has been may favorite play we have read and discussed this semester. This basic concept of the play was again about the american dream however is portrayed from the perspective of African americans. The monologue/lecture by troy to cory(son) in scene 3 of act 1, I found extremely interesting and entertaining to read.

I personally refer to this scene as “how come you never liked me scene”. This comical in the sense that his father is telling his son that he doesn’t have to like him, as that was not part of the deal of having him as a son. While it would seem that this could be almost scaring for a son to hear, they way in which he presents the information makes it seem that the son takes it as lesson. It is interesting that underneath this comical scene there is a underlining truth.

It is expected that parents have a duty to bring up there children to the best of there ability by giving them as many opportunities as they possibly can. However, there is nothing saying they have to like there children. This raise the question to what extent does a father or parent have responsibility to there child?

The Cherry Orchard.

I found the Cherry Orchard to be an enjoyable read with a good twist. I noticed that by the end of the first act the play had well established foundation to lunch off. The major characters had been well introduced and the plot of the play was already beginning to become complex.

I noticed that there was plenty of discussion about the past. For example in the opening scene we learn that it is taking place in a nursery that Ranevsky and Gayev grew up in. Ranevsky in particular really likes to discuss her child hood memories which really help the audience understand her. It is evident that the characters speaking about their past is an easy way for Chekhov to introduce the audience to the character by giving them some background information.

Lopakhin reveals the direction of the play by strongly enforcing his opinions of the financial situation in which the family has found itself. This causes the first sign of tension in the play which indicates this is an important and touch topic. This makes it apparent that play is going to structured around this dilemma of money verse’s heritage. However, the play becomes much more complex in the following acts.