Sunday, March 6, 2016
EF'S VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET
Elinor Fuchs Visit To A Small Planet
This piece of writing is unique and it takes the reader into certain understanding of what drama should be all about as it awakes in us the need to access a world in our world where we can explore and raise questions that can help us understand better the world we stepped into and all that it is made up of. We are called to make assumption that there is a world of play, in other word a play is a world that is created by the writer, and that in the world of play there are no accident; nothing occurs by chance not even chance. There is nothing in the play without significance. We are to focus on it a total awareness, no selective interpretation is expected rather we are to pay attention and be curious; ask questions before making judgement. We are called to live through the play.
In a classroom setting, I will love to apply this strategy to the study of a play with students as we examine a piece of work beginning with the world of the play as we observe the space, time, climate, mood, plot, tone, sound and music. from this point we will look into the social world and the examine if there are changes in the play from the first point to the last point and then examine the character that makes up the play.
I tried to figure out what in this play or the world of the play that I can relate to as I am expected to shut out my known world to explore the world of play, a new planet as it is. The concept that the play should not be subjected to our censorship of selective interpretation but rather be view with attention and curiosity; questions needed to be asked always before judgement.
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Hey Dele! I love when you say "There is nothing in the play without significance." because often people can read plays and omit "small" details causing them to lose the larger picture of the play. I for one do the exact opposite. I often look so deep into the text searching for meaning and forget to enjoy the play.
ReplyDeleteI also loved when you said "questions needed to be asked always before judgement." That is an extremely helpful tip for students when reading a play. Often plays can be dismissed as weird or boring but it is important to remind readers nothing is without significance, so before we make judgment on the text or the events in the text one should ask questions. "why is this happening? Why would he or she behave that way?" and etc. I enjoyed reading your reflection.
I totally related to what you say about having a "total awareness" when entering the world of a play. This is so hard sometimes, in this fast moving world of social media and running from one place to another. So often I find myself sitting at a play (or reading one) and completely drifting to another place where I can't concentrate. The total awareness seems akin to having a "total relaxation" if a person was meditating.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of questions before judgment is particularly valuable for our students. There are so many instances where they are viewing something about a new culture, religion, way of time, or unfamiliar time period. I almost feel like "question before judgment" should be posted in my classroom!