Reading Response 1 "West of Stupid" Cusi Cram While flipping through the text book, I came upon the play "West of Stupid". It caught my attention because I firmly believe you can not get rid of stupid very easily and once you get it, the people around you do not miss it on you. That is just my opinion and maybe I am too simple a person but the phrase "west of stupid" was an eye catcher. Upon reading I discovered it was about a mother and son, conversing at a cafe in Rome. They were apparently on vacation and as the play unfolds it was apparent the mother, June, was dying.
The conversation was not easy to follow because June was talking in circles and Jeff, her son, was trying to follow. They were the perfect rendition of the "mama's boy" theory because Jeff was trying to appease his mother in her ramblings.
However, June began to speak of things not normally discussed with a son, such as her description of a soldier she found attractive and her resentment of an Italian teacher. Finally, Jeff fell in with the conversation and begin speaking of things he may normally discuss with his mother.
The underlying factor of death in this play actually offers freedom. June is in control because she has lost control of her health but not how she will live what is left of her life. And Jeff is free to say what he wants or more what he means without repercussion from his mother because he feels her spirit of freedom.
The play ends with Jeff rationalizing to his mother "whatever you want" and the scene fades with them both looking into the future without each other.
Reading Response 1
ReplyDelete"West of Stupid" Cusi Cram
While flipping through the text book, I came upon the play "West of Stupid". It caught my attention because I firmly believe you can not get rid of stupid very easily and once you get it, the people around you do not miss it on you. That is just my opinion and maybe I am too simple a person but the phrase "west of stupid" was an eye catcher. Upon reading I discovered it was about a mother and son, conversing at a cafe in Rome. They were apparently on vacation and as the play unfolds it was apparent the mother, June, was dying.
The conversation was not easy to follow because June was talking in circles and Jeff, her son, was trying to follow. They were the perfect rendition of the "mama's boy" theory because Jeff was trying to appease his mother in her ramblings.
However, June began to speak of things not normally discussed with a son, such as her description of a soldier she found attractive and her resentment of an Italian teacher. Finally, Jeff fell in with the conversation and begin speaking of things he may normally discuss with his mother.
The underlying factor of death in this play actually offers freedom. June is in control because she has lost control of her health but not how she will live what is left of her life. And Jeff is free to say what he wants or more what he means without repercussion from his mother because he feels her spirit of freedom.
The play ends with Jeff rationalizing to his mother "whatever you want" and the scene fades with them both looking into the future without each other.