Name/Details:
Lucy is aged between 20-23. She lives with Nick and Lewis. She is pretty and described as looking like a folk singer from the 1970’s.
Personal qualities:
• Independent
• Confident
• Indifferent
• Political Activist
• Opinionated
• Selfish
• Confident in her sexuality
• Believes in free love
• Lack of empathy towards mental patients
• Cheater
Relationships:
Lewis is her boyfriend at first they get along but Lucy tells Lewis she is sleeping with Nick and they break up.
Nick is her sexual partner, he moves in with them and at first she dislikes him because he is obnoxious and pig headed but they both believe in the same things and they have the same points of view. They get closer and eventually start having sex.
Conflict:
• Lucy is cheating on lewis with his bestfriend Nick “I’m sleeping with you and having sex with Nick”
• Lucy goes to protest against the Vietnam war at the moratorium with Nick
• Lucy feels left out with Lewis paying more attention to the mental patients
Motivation/Goals:
• To finish her university course
• Lucy is a political activist against the Vietnam War
Emotional + Intellectual growth:
• Emotionally Lucy feels disattached towards Lewis
• Intellectually she grows closer to Nick and his intellect and political views
• Lucy herself, grows more as a women doing what she wants and what she believes in
Quotes:
P1. Lucy is sceptical of Lewis doing Cosi
“Are you sure you know what you are doing?”
P.70 Lucy comes to take Lewis to the Gallileo rehearsals. He chooses not to go.
“Working with these people has changed you. We used to talk about things. Important things. Now all you can talk about is reactionary drivel like Cosi Fan Tutte”
P.70 Lucy is talking to Lewis about Nick
“He is a fantastic organiser”
P.70 Lucy chooses to go to nicks rehearsals over Lewis
“I’m going to Nicks rehearsals”
P.71 Lucy tells Lewis she is cheating on him
“I have sex with Nick and sleep with you”
P.71 Lucy expresses her views towards the relationship
“Lewis it’s not as if we are married”
P.71 Lucy talks about fidelity
“No, I am a Woman. Ever heard of a man who is faithful?”
P.72 Stage directions – Lucy finds out Lewis kissed Julie
[LUCY, Storms out of the hall. Silence.]
by Ashlee & Callam
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Lewis
Personal Qualities
Lewis was very naïve in the way that he seemed to be inexperienced directing mental patients to do a play. He found it difficult to control the mental patients quite a bit which meant they would wreck havoc. Lewis to be a successful director Lewis needed to be much more firm with the patients. Nick even says to Lewis, “You will never be a director until you can convince them that what you want to do is what they want to do.” Lewis was very enthusiastic about starting the play and completing it; he has an intense interest and liking for directing and is keen to do the play not only for him but the patients who are enjoying doing something out of their wards. Lewis seemed to be very resilient in the way he was capable of carrying on after suffering hardship for example finding out his girlfriend Lucy was cheating on him with his best friend, Nick. Lewis didn’t let this incident let him down but he carried on with the play and was very committed and pledged to the patients. Lewis has a lot of integrity and was very honest, wholesome and sincere with the patients and would tell honestly tell Doug who was very rude and sexual personal truths about his relationship with his girlfriend, Lucy. Lewis is a very honorable man who is very upright and considerate of how the patients were feeling and what they were happy to doing in a play. Roy chose to do the play ‘Cosi Fan Tutte”, Lewis thought this would be very tricky for mental patients to do and wasn’t to keen at all with doing that certain opera but gave it a go and made allowances and was loyal to Roy and big his dreams of doing Cosi. Lewis was extremely patient with the patients and tolerated a lot of annoyances and silliness from the patients, for example, Ruth would seem to ask Lewis a lot of meaningless questions and Lewis was able to remain calm and answer her questions. Lewis had a good sense of humor and was able to connect with the patients much better with his sense of humor. Lewis can come across a bit selfish because he puts the play above his girlfriend and does what he wants to do rather than going to a political activism with his girlfriend Lucy.
Relationships:
Lewis has a girlfriend named Lucy and lives in a house with Lucy and he’s Best Friend Nick. It is unclear how long Lewis and Lucy have been together but if they are living together and talk of marriage then I presume they have been together for a while. Lewis develops really strong relationships with the patients. For example Cherry’s crush on Lewis, Julie and Lewis’s little love affair, Roy’s actions and attitudes, Zac little liking for Ruth¬.
Conflict
In the play Cosi, Lewis spends a lot of time in Act 1 trying to avoid conflict and confrontations with his fellow mental patients. The ways in which Lewis avoided this conflict was by going along with Roy’s choice of the Mozart opera even though it was an unrealistic idea. Roy would always give Lewis a hard time in regards to the way he directs. Lewis had enough of this, but to avoid the conflict he put up with it. He was focused on the play and didn’t need any drama to interfere with it. Lewis also had a hard time with Cherry and Lucy. Cherry had a crush on Lewis and would be jealous every time he talked to Lucy. This caused a little conflict with Lucy and Cherry and Lewis was right in the middle of it. This made it hard for Lewis to direct.
Another conflict that arose from the play was regarding to the Vietnam War. Lucy and Nick didn’t agree to the play Cosi Fan Tutte because it involved themes such as love and fidelity which they thought weren’t acceptable while the war was going on. They thought that this was just a waste of time, and didn’t support him the way a girlfriend and best friend should. In the end, Lewis ignored Lucy and Nick’s thoughts and went on with the play that he was passionate about.
Emotional and intellectual growth
In Cosi, Lewis is forced to mature and take the lead. When things don’t seem to go right in regards towards the play, Lewis learns to step up and take control. Before this play Lewis was just a university student trying to succeed in life, but when he took on the role of director in Cosi Fan Tutte he learned that to become successful in life you must be patient.
When Lucy and Nick don’t support Lewis’s idea of directing the play he picks himself up and learns that he can do this, and realises he has abilities he never thought he had before. He grows into a man that can control a group of mental patients his never met before, and he can deal with the conflict and drama that is put in front of him. Lewis never gave up on this play, he grew to be determined and focused on the job ahead of him.
Lewis’s thoughts on love and fidelity changed and grew within the play. Although Lewis was very passionate about this theme, he knew that if Lucy didn’t feel the same there was no point to waste his time on someone who doesn’t love him back. He grew and was able to let go, he knew there was somewhere else out there who could treat him right and with respect.
Eloise , Jordie and Demi
Lewis was very naïve in the way that he seemed to be inexperienced directing mental patients to do a play. He found it difficult to control the mental patients quite a bit which meant they would wreck havoc. Lewis to be a successful director Lewis needed to be much more firm with the patients. Nick even says to Lewis, “You will never be a director until you can convince them that what you want to do is what they want to do.” Lewis was very enthusiastic about starting the play and completing it; he has an intense interest and liking for directing and is keen to do the play not only for him but the patients who are enjoying doing something out of their wards. Lewis seemed to be very resilient in the way he was capable of carrying on after suffering hardship for example finding out his girlfriend Lucy was cheating on him with his best friend, Nick. Lewis didn’t let this incident let him down but he carried on with the play and was very committed and pledged to the patients. Lewis has a lot of integrity and was very honest, wholesome and sincere with the patients and would tell honestly tell Doug who was very rude and sexual personal truths about his relationship with his girlfriend, Lucy. Lewis is a very honorable man who is very upright and considerate of how the patients were feeling and what they were happy to doing in a play. Roy chose to do the play ‘Cosi Fan Tutte”, Lewis thought this would be very tricky for mental patients to do and wasn’t to keen at all with doing that certain opera but gave it a go and made allowances and was loyal to Roy and big his dreams of doing Cosi. Lewis was extremely patient with the patients and tolerated a lot of annoyances and silliness from the patients, for example, Ruth would seem to ask Lewis a lot of meaningless questions and Lewis was able to remain calm and answer her questions. Lewis had a good sense of humor and was able to connect with the patients much better with his sense of humor. Lewis can come across a bit selfish because he puts the play above his girlfriend and does what he wants to do rather than going to a political activism with his girlfriend Lucy.
Relationships:
Lewis has a girlfriend named Lucy and lives in a house with Lucy and he’s Best Friend Nick. It is unclear how long Lewis and Lucy have been together but if they are living together and talk of marriage then I presume they have been together for a while. Lewis develops really strong relationships with the patients. For example Cherry’s crush on Lewis, Julie and Lewis’s little love affair, Roy’s actions and attitudes, Zac little liking for Ruth¬.
Conflict
In the play Cosi, Lewis spends a lot of time in Act 1 trying to avoid conflict and confrontations with his fellow mental patients. The ways in which Lewis avoided this conflict was by going along with Roy’s choice of the Mozart opera even though it was an unrealistic idea. Roy would always give Lewis a hard time in regards to the way he directs. Lewis had enough of this, but to avoid the conflict he put up with it. He was focused on the play and didn’t need any drama to interfere with it. Lewis also had a hard time with Cherry and Lucy. Cherry had a crush on Lewis and would be jealous every time he talked to Lucy. This caused a little conflict with Lucy and Cherry and Lewis was right in the middle of it. This made it hard for Lewis to direct.
Another conflict that arose from the play was regarding to the Vietnam War. Lucy and Nick didn’t agree to the play Cosi Fan Tutte because it involved themes such as love and fidelity which they thought weren’t acceptable while the war was going on. They thought that this was just a waste of time, and didn’t support him the way a girlfriend and best friend should. In the end, Lewis ignored Lucy and Nick’s thoughts and went on with the play that he was passionate about.
Emotional and intellectual growth
In Cosi, Lewis is forced to mature and take the lead. When things don’t seem to go right in regards towards the play, Lewis learns to step up and take control. Before this play Lewis was just a university student trying to succeed in life, but when he took on the role of director in Cosi Fan Tutte he learned that to become successful in life you must be patient.
When Lucy and Nick don’t support Lewis’s idea of directing the play he picks himself up and learns that he can do this, and realises he has abilities he never thought he had before. He grows into a man that can control a group of mental patients his never met before, and he can deal with the conflict and drama that is put in front of him. Lewis never gave up on this play, he grew to be determined and focused on the job ahead of him.
Lewis’s thoughts on love and fidelity changed and grew within the play. Although Lewis was very passionate about this theme, he knew that if Lucy didn’t feel the same there was no point to waste his time on someone who doesn’t love him back. He grew and was able to let go, he knew there was somewhere else out there who could treat him right and with respect.
Eloise , Jordie and Demi
Monday, February 15, 2010
Plot notes
ACT 1
Description of Lewis-
Lewis is a talented man who was both a bit reluctant but also eager to start a play with mental patients for money. He’s a bit concerned and worried about working with mental patients weather it will work or not and if they are controllable or not. I don’t think he really sees them as normal people either.
Attitudes of Nick and Lucy-
Nick and especially Lucy (Lewis’s girlfriend) are not really keen on Lewis doing a play with mental people. They don’t help and support Lewis as much as they should and they don’t appreciate his effort.
Justin’s description of the patients-
Justin the social worker is excited about the play but is also mindful about how the patients will get alone and behave towards Lewis. He can see that Lewis is a bit nervous about working with the patients but comforts him.
First impressions of each character-
Roy-
Roy is really excited about the play and has lots of plans and expectations of what the play will be about. He is very hard to control because he is so opinionated and takes over Lewis’s roll quite a bit. Lewis is constantly yelling at Roy to be quiet and a lot of people in the asylum find him annoying because he talks a lot and has something to say about every thing.
Doug
Doug swears a lot and is very blunt and abusive. He has a very foul mouth and talks about women very graphically and disrespectfully. He’s not very trust worthy and loves to start fires.
Henry
Henry is very shy and quiet and doesn’t say much. He refuses to do anything and is constantly getting up to leave but Lewis and Roy stop him. He has a stutter and never looks anyone in the eye. His left arm is paralyzed.
Zac
Zac loves his music. He seems too be always doped up on medication that he is out of it. He seems to only want to be in the play to play music. Zac doesn’t say too much, unless it related to music.
Cherry
Cherry is enthusiastic about doing the play but not if it has singing or is an opera. She can be a bit abusive and won’t tolerate Roy’s nonsense. She seems to know how to control the other mental patients and help Lewis out a bit with that.
Julie
Julie seems pretty happy about doing the play because it’s something to do, she doesn’t say too much though. Julie seems to be the most normal out of all of them and is calm but a drug addict.
Ruth
Ruth can be very obsessive over little things and ask a lot of unimportant questions which can be very frustrating for Lewis. Lewis really needs to be firm with her and give her clear instructions.
Problems Lewis is facing-
I think Lewis is having trouble controlling all of the mental patients and being boss. Roy can be very controlling and take over Lewis job as director quite a bit. Lewis needs to take control and be boss so that Roy doesn’t take over. Doug is another patient that Lewis is having trouble with, Doug will not be told what to do and can’t be trusted to be out of sight because he has a problem lighting fires. Henry is also a bit of a problem because he is very shy and quiet and doesn’t speak a word so how is he suppose to act.
Why doesn’t he leave?
Lewis doesn’t leave because he needs the money and also to get out there and do some directing in the real world but mainly because he is connecting with the patients and becoming friends with them so he is too attached to leave. The patients are dependent on him and really want to do the play and without Lewis they will have to go back to their wards and I think Lewis knows that so he needs to do this for them. He has involved himself and now it’s too late to get out.
Impressions of Nick (Radio)-
Nick is a very opinionated person and he is very forward and open with his thoughts on things. He is vey anti-war but is taking it a bit too far. He has big ideas for the future.
What do we learn about Doug-
We find out in Scene 2 how Doug managed to get into the mental institute and why everyone tells him to “Go burn a cat!” I think Doug also blames his mum for being in the mental institute and for his love for lighting fires.
Doug’s Speech- (HACM)
Doug swears quite a fair bit and is very rude and forward and can be a bit intruding on people’s personal lives. He asks very personal questions and is very curios and can be rather sick and fowl mouthed.
Cherry what do we learn-
We find out a bit about cherry’s dad but find out that it was just a joke so we don’t learn too much about her family life. We find out that cherry likes Lewis and has a crush on him. Cherry cares for Lewis so feeds him lots of Sandwiches and makes sure he is comfortable and happy because she likes him.
Theme- Love and Fidelity-
The patients are finding out that Lewis’s girlfriend Lucy lives in a house with his best friend Nick and they are all surprised Lewis trusts them not to sleep together. Lucy doesn’t like talk about love when there are more important things going on in the world such as the war. Julie thinks that men can be very judgmental of women playing around but it’s ok for them to do it and when women do it just proves their worst thoughts about woman.
The cover up-
Doug starts a fire in the toilets and Justin the social worker decides the experiment is over and that Lewis isn’t up to controlling and directing these mental patients because they are up to mischief. When the patients over hear Justin’s conversation with Lewis and realize it is over, cherry takes the blame and says she was smoking and accidently started the fire.
Why does Lewis join the conspiracy?
Lewis joins the conspiracy because he sees how eager these patients are to do the play especially because they were all willing to lie about the incident to keep performing. So Lewis goes along with the cover up and they are able to continue doing cosi.
Theme-Mental Illness –
From the fire incident you can see how mental illness is like a really bad habit and it is uncontrollable for the patient to not light fires or addiction to drugs etc. we also see how Doug lies about doing it deliberately because he won’t admit that he has the problem and is almost convinced himself that he didn’t do it. They can’t stop it.
Difficulties related to mental illness-
It can be difficult for others to understand and also annoying for them. They can be difficult to explain things too or control. They can be hard to trust and very unpredictable. It’s not something that they can just stop doing because it is related to the brain.
What do we learn about Julie?
We learn that Julie that Julie is in the mental institute because she is a drug addict. We also find out Julie’s thoughts on love and fidelity and her opinion of men. She does not seem to like psychiatrists and sees them as peeping toms.
Lewis’s Grandmother-
Lewis’ grandmother went mad and was in an asylum and was living in the year before Lewis was born and thought Lewis was Eric his father and his mother was about to have him.
Theme- Illusion and Reality-
Lewis has to explain to Ruth one of the mental patients that they are pretending or acting but as she is compulsive obsessive she must know exactly what to do and what they are pretending and why which can be frustrating for Lewis. I think it can be hard to explain it to a mental patient also.
Ruth-
Ruth seems to be the only patient that has a problem with pretending but is constantly asking Lewis if it is an illusion or real. I don’t think she understands why they need to pretend when the real would be so much more believable. She likes to know exactly what Lewis wants her to do and can’t just act.
Cherry’s crush on Lewis-
Cherry asks Lewis if he thinks women can remain faithful and if he thinks they are in the end of this scene. Cherry then tells Lewis that she would be faithful to let him know again that she likes him.
Example of Comedy- (HACM)
Roy has a very sarcastic sense of humor which can be quiet annoying and rude. Julie can be quite funny and is cracking a few funny jokes about what her life was like before the asylum. Julie can be quite sarcastic too and they all have pretty dry senses of humor.
Contrast between Nick and Lewis-
Nick can be very rude and is very critical of the mental patients and can be unreliable. Nick is only helping so Lewis will help him. Nick isn’t scared to tell the patients what he thinks and tells them exactly what to do, he is a better director. Nick knows that if you can’t convince the actors to do what you want to do then you will be no good at directing and I think that is why nick is a better director than Lewis. Nick is very up himself too and swears quite a bit whereas Lewis doesn’t and is very patient.
View expressed on the Vietnam War-
Nick shouldn’t support the Viet cong because they are the enemy. Australia and America shouldn’t be killing the Vietnamese. Nick should be supporting his own country. Communism is bad. The communists are winning.
Conflict between Nick and Henry-
Nick supports the Viet cong and communists and Henry supports the Americans. Nick gives money to north Vietnam for medical supplies and Henry supports Australia and what his father once fought for. Henry sees Nick as a traitor and wants communism stopped.
Theme- Love
The theme love plays a big part in the play Cosi, but all the mental patients have different views on what love is.
Lewis- Lewis thinks hearts should be hard won.
Roy- Roy thinks Mozart is about love, not madness. Roy seems to think hate is a much more strong emotion and we only love when we have nothing left to hate.
Julie- Julie says love is being foolish. Julie also thinks that love is like being on the edge or divine madness and is hallucinating without the drugs.
Cherry- Cherry thinks most women fight to keep men out of their pants.
Henry-Henry thinks Dora Bella was a temptress.
Theme- Reality
Having real props makes things more real and believable. Cherry introduces the idea of using shock treatment in the play and having real props and thinks it’s less fake and you see why a women’s heart would soften towards a man if she saw what was happening to him in shock treatment.
Shock treatment-
Cherry had the idea to use shock treatment in the play instead of a Mesmer magnet because it is more effective. Roy doesn’t agree because it’s not in his vision of the play. Shock treatment can be painful and because the patients have had it before Roy can act it out really well and it’s far more believable.
Theme- Mental illness
Mental illness patients receive shock treatment which is quite horrible and were put on a lot of different drugs to control there illnesses which can be a bit confronting and scary for Lewis when he sees Roy acting out what occurs during shock treatment.
Characters-
Roy and Julie
???
Lewis’ Decision-
Lewis decides not to go to Nick's moratorium meeting and stay at the asylum with the mental patients and rehearse because the patients need him and they open soon. Lewis doesn’t want to let the patients down either. The play is important to Lewis even though Lucy doesn’t see why and doesn’t agree with Lewis about it.
Lucy’s Reaction-
Lucy is surprised and angry with Lewis’s decision to not go to the moratorium meeting and thinks he’s stupid for doing a play on love and fidelity when there are more important things happening in the world at the moment. Nick is his best friend and this is a big event for him and Lewis isn’t going.
Love and Fidelity (sex)
(Lewis and Julie)
Lewis kissed Julie in the previous scene and I think he thinks that’s alright because it’s not sex but just a little kiss. I don’t think Lewis sees it as a big deal because he’s not sleeping with Julie. Lewis is angry at Lucy for not being true and faithful but really he isn’t either even though it was just a kiss.
Lewis’s reaction to Lucy sleeping with Nick-
Lewis seems very surprised and angry when he finds out Lucy is have sex with his best friend and refers it back to the opera because Lucy is just like the women in the play not because true and faithful.
Play within a play (HACM)
The book ‘Cosi’ is about a group of mental patients doing a play. The book is set out like a play also so it is like a play with in a play. The characters are acting out a play but they are doing a play within that play.
How this is illustrated in the scene-
This particular scene with Lucy and Lewis is set out like a play but they are not acting in the play. The way Lewis and Lucy are talking about sex and being true and faithful is like they are doing the play but it is a real life situation where the women has not been true and faithful. Lewis quotes the play/opera quite a bit when arguing with Lucy.
Lewis and Roy- how does Lewis deal with him?
Roy decides to quit just before opening night because he has stage fight and is nervous about performing. Lewis takes Roy aside away from the other mental patients and has a private conversation with him about how he can help him with his lines and that the patients are here to see him.
Nick and Lewis-
Lewis has finally had enough of nick bagging out the mental patients and sleeping with his girl friend. Nick starts say that Lewis has turned mental too and teases Lewis so Lewis punches him to the ground. Nick doesn’t see that it is a big deal that he is having sex with Lucy but Lewis is furious with him and is not mates with him anymore.
Love and Fidelity -as explored via Nick and Lewis-
It’s alright to not be true and faithful to your boyfriend or girlfriend if there are no feelings of love behind the sex but if it is just sex it’s alright and not cheating and you are still being true. Its free love, nothing more. There not married so it’s ok. If they’re not possessive about each other is not a big deal.
Nicks attitude-
Nick is very easy going and up himself. He feels pretty good because he’s protest is going to be good and he’s having sex with Lucy. Nick doesn’t treat Lewis very good at all and doesn’t think about how Lewis might be feeling. Nick has a very nasty attitude and is very sarcastic. He is not supportive of Lewis at all and teases him.
Lewis-How has he changed-
Lewis has become more of a man and has gained more confidence and won’t tolerate his friends picking on what he is doing. He’s is much better at controlling the mental patients and is a better director. He has changed from thinking love is unimportant and there are more important thing happening in the world to where would the world be without love.
Roy-what do we learn-
Roy spoke about his mother a lot in the beginning of the book and how he grew up with his mother singing the songs from Cosi but we find out that he was a foster child and was in and out of orphanages because the foster parents didn’t want him or couldn’t handle him.
Message of the opera-
One of the messages in the Opera ‘Cosi fan tutte’ is that women cannot be trusted or faithful. ‘Cosi fan tutte’ is translated as “Women are like that”. There is also a message that all can be forgiven and that love and understanding can put everything right again because the men take their women back after they still know that they would have married other men.
How have each of the characters blossomed?
Lewis changed for the better and from his experiences with the patients and even nick and Lucy, he has become a better director and a better person and has new thoughts on things such as love and has control of his life now.
Henry has come out of his shell and is far more confident. The other characters in the play all became a lot closer and more confident.
What has Lewis learnt?
Lewis has learnt that love is important and love is not just about sex but trust and being on the edge and excitement.
What happens to the cast members in the future?
Lewis- Moved house.
Henry- Died.
Roy- Went from ward to ward after fellow patients signed petitions to get rid of him.
Cherry- Sent one love letter to Lewis
Doug- Doug burnt down the theatre.
Julie- Died of a drug overdose.
Nick and Lucy- Didn’t last long, both into fidelity. Lucy became an academic and nick became Labour MP in the Upper House.
Zac- Left the asylum and founded a rock and roll group called ‘The Psychotic Wagner’s’ and went far with that.
Ruth- Left the institution to become a time and motion expert.
“What sort of thing do you want me to do with them? (Lewis)
"I can’t believe you’re going to do a show here…” (Lucy)
“They are normal people who have done extraordinary…” (Justin)
“Come on, jerry; let’s get this show on the road.” (Roy)
“You get to f*** the actresses?” (Doug)
“Henry’s part of a hand picked team.” (Roy)
“Piano?” (Zac)
“Doug! Roy! Stop, or ill knock your block off!” (Cherry)
“I prefer this to the ward.” (Julie)
“So we’ll pretend? To drink coffee.” (Ruth)
“I’m going to kill you for this!” (Cherry)
“Why can’t I ever say no? Just Leave. They’re mad. Its madness.” (Lewis)
“Barricades and bombs? Why not? Australians, especially young Australians of my age, are getting fed up with our society. We want changes and we want them now!” (Nick)
“Christ, Nick-!” (Lewis)
“Go burn a Cat.” (Cherry)
“Why are they always saying that?” (Lewis)
“It’s what I did.” (Doug)
“Was Lucy a virgin when you first had her?” (Doug)
“You know, I really like you…” (Cherry)
“I’ll go and get my sandwiches so I can share them with you.” (Cherry)
“Eat!” (Cherry)
“She’s into politics. She hates talk about love. She thinks it’s icky. ‘Love is the last gasp of bourgeois romanticism’ she says. She hates me doing an opera about love and fidelity while thousands of Vietnamese are being killed by American troops.” (Lewis)
“It was me! It was me! Doug isn’t to blame. I dropped a ciggie down the toilet.” (Cherry)
“Is that right?” (Justin)
[A silence, everyone looks to Lewis]
“That’s why she spends so much time in the toilets when she should be at rehearsal. It’s where she smokes.”
“You believe me that I didn’t start this fire deliberately?” (Doug)
“Henry, please…” (Lewis)
[Henry shakes his head. Roy falls to his knees and starts banging his head on the floor.]
“Why! Why am I always let down! Why do people let me down?!” (Roy)
“Roy, don’t do that.” (Lewis)
“Don’t ever tell a psychiatrist that story; they’d have a heart attack on the symbolism of it all.” (Julie)
“I guess so. I liked my grandmother, I knew she had gone mad, but she was still my grandmother.” (Lewis)
“An illusion, yes. And you’re both gazing at miniatures of your lovers.” (Lewis)
“Were in an illusion of a garden, carrying an illusion of tiny paintings, so shall I sit down and pretend I am acting?” (Ruth)
“I am. With someone like you I could be true and faithful.” (Cherry)
[She laughs] “See, Im happy coming to this burnt out theatre.”
“Christ, you’ll never be a director until you can convince them that what you want to do is what they want to do.” (Nick)
“Henry, I am not a communist. I do not send money to North Vietnam for medical supplies. Nick does, I do not. I am against this war, but I am not supporting the enemy. We must support any way of getting Australia and America out of this quagmire.” (Lewis)
“You are a traitor. Australian soldiers die. Die and you wave ffffflags for the Viet Cong.” (Henry)
“Hate is a much more pure emotion. We choose our enemies with greater care than our lovers. That’s why hatred lasts longer…” (Roy)
“Yes, the ore real it is, the more real it is.” (Ruth)
“One volt, two volts, three volts.” (Cherry)
“Are you alright Roy?” (Lewis)
“forty, eighty, a hundred-” (Cherry)
“Roy!” (Lewis)
[Roy starts to convulse as if real shocks are being sent through him. It looks so real that Julie and Henry are concerned for him and empathize. Cherry, though is enjoying this.]
[Becoming concerned]
“Are you alright Roy?” (Lewis)
“They need me.” (Lewis)
“You can’t go to both.” (Lucy)
“We open soon.” (Lewis)
“Make a choice!” (Lucy)
“Mozart. Im not going to let them down.” (Lewis)
“Without love the world wouldn’t mean much.” (Lewis)
“Lewis get a grip on yourself. You’ve always mistaken lust for love…” (Lucy)
“I’m not having sex with her.” (Lewis)
[Lewis is stunned.]
“It’s over. Im shifting house.” (Lewis)
LEWIS: “My Dorebella wouldn’t do such a thing, Did she misbehave?
Not that I have any doubts about her. What? Speak out! Did she fall for you? Oh, my god, if I even suspected-”
LUCY: “Lewis?”
LEWIS: [quoting Cosi] “Woman’s constancy is like the Arabian Phoenix. Everyone swears it exists, but no one has seen it.”
LUCY: “Don’t quote that fuckin’ opera at me! Is that what you think of women?
“Im not leaving, Im quitting.” (Roy)
“What are you on about – too much time with the loonies, Lewis.” (Nick)
“I should hit you.” (Lewis)
“Lucy’s not possessive about you im not possessive about her. What’s the fuss?” (Nick)
“Women shouldn’t come between mates.” (Nick)
“You’re not my mate.” (Lewis)
“It’s only sex.” (Nick)
“Thanks a lot.” (Lewis)
“I said, don’t sing that song.” (Lewis)
“He hasn’t got any parents, he’s an orphan.” (Cherry)
“But I thought his mother and father-” (Lewis)
“Everyone blames women but I forgive them, if they change their love a thousand times a day, some call it sin, others a drug but I think it’s the necessity of women’s hearts.” (Henry)
“…And the cast! Didn’t think it was possible. Came right out of their shells. They blossomed. Blossomed!” (Justin)
Description of Lewis-
Lewis is a talented man who was both a bit reluctant but also eager to start a play with mental patients for money. He’s a bit concerned and worried about working with mental patients weather it will work or not and if they are controllable or not. I don’t think he really sees them as normal people either.
Attitudes of Nick and Lucy-
Nick and especially Lucy (Lewis’s girlfriend) are not really keen on Lewis doing a play with mental people. They don’t help and support Lewis as much as they should and they don’t appreciate his effort.
Justin’s description of the patients-
Justin the social worker is excited about the play but is also mindful about how the patients will get alone and behave towards Lewis. He can see that Lewis is a bit nervous about working with the patients but comforts him.
First impressions of each character-
Roy-
Roy is really excited about the play and has lots of plans and expectations of what the play will be about. He is very hard to control because he is so opinionated and takes over Lewis’s roll quite a bit. Lewis is constantly yelling at Roy to be quiet and a lot of people in the asylum find him annoying because he talks a lot and has something to say about every thing.
Doug
Doug swears a lot and is very blunt and abusive. He has a very foul mouth and talks about women very graphically and disrespectfully. He’s not very trust worthy and loves to start fires.
Henry
Henry is very shy and quiet and doesn’t say much. He refuses to do anything and is constantly getting up to leave but Lewis and Roy stop him. He has a stutter and never looks anyone in the eye. His left arm is paralyzed.
Zac
Zac loves his music. He seems too be always doped up on medication that he is out of it. He seems to only want to be in the play to play music. Zac doesn’t say too much, unless it related to music.
Cherry
Cherry is enthusiastic about doing the play but not if it has singing or is an opera. She can be a bit abusive and won’t tolerate Roy’s nonsense. She seems to know how to control the other mental patients and help Lewis out a bit with that.
Julie
Julie seems pretty happy about doing the play because it’s something to do, she doesn’t say too much though. Julie seems to be the most normal out of all of them and is calm but a drug addict.
Ruth
Ruth can be very obsessive over little things and ask a lot of unimportant questions which can be very frustrating for Lewis. Lewis really needs to be firm with her and give her clear instructions.
Problems Lewis is facing-
I think Lewis is having trouble controlling all of the mental patients and being boss. Roy can be very controlling and take over Lewis job as director quite a bit. Lewis needs to take control and be boss so that Roy doesn’t take over. Doug is another patient that Lewis is having trouble with, Doug will not be told what to do and can’t be trusted to be out of sight because he has a problem lighting fires. Henry is also a bit of a problem because he is very shy and quiet and doesn’t speak a word so how is he suppose to act.
Why doesn’t he leave?
Lewis doesn’t leave because he needs the money and also to get out there and do some directing in the real world but mainly because he is connecting with the patients and becoming friends with them so he is too attached to leave. The patients are dependent on him and really want to do the play and without Lewis they will have to go back to their wards and I think Lewis knows that so he needs to do this for them. He has involved himself and now it’s too late to get out.
Impressions of Nick (Radio)-
Nick is a very opinionated person and he is very forward and open with his thoughts on things. He is vey anti-war but is taking it a bit too far. He has big ideas for the future.
What do we learn about Doug-
We find out in Scene 2 how Doug managed to get into the mental institute and why everyone tells him to “Go burn a cat!” I think Doug also blames his mum for being in the mental institute and for his love for lighting fires.
Doug’s Speech- (HACM)
Doug swears quite a fair bit and is very rude and forward and can be a bit intruding on people’s personal lives. He asks very personal questions and is very curios and can be rather sick and fowl mouthed.
Cherry what do we learn-
We find out a bit about cherry’s dad but find out that it was just a joke so we don’t learn too much about her family life. We find out that cherry likes Lewis and has a crush on him. Cherry cares for Lewis so feeds him lots of Sandwiches and makes sure he is comfortable and happy because she likes him.
Theme- Love and Fidelity-
The patients are finding out that Lewis’s girlfriend Lucy lives in a house with his best friend Nick and they are all surprised Lewis trusts them not to sleep together. Lucy doesn’t like talk about love when there are more important things going on in the world such as the war. Julie thinks that men can be very judgmental of women playing around but it’s ok for them to do it and when women do it just proves their worst thoughts about woman.
The cover up-
Doug starts a fire in the toilets and Justin the social worker decides the experiment is over and that Lewis isn’t up to controlling and directing these mental patients because they are up to mischief. When the patients over hear Justin’s conversation with Lewis and realize it is over, cherry takes the blame and says she was smoking and accidently started the fire.
Why does Lewis join the conspiracy?
Lewis joins the conspiracy because he sees how eager these patients are to do the play especially because they were all willing to lie about the incident to keep performing. So Lewis goes along with the cover up and they are able to continue doing cosi.
Theme-Mental Illness –
From the fire incident you can see how mental illness is like a really bad habit and it is uncontrollable for the patient to not light fires or addiction to drugs etc. we also see how Doug lies about doing it deliberately because he won’t admit that he has the problem and is almost convinced himself that he didn’t do it. They can’t stop it.
Difficulties related to mental illness-
It can be difficult for others to understand and also annoying for them. They can be difficult to explain things too or control. They can be hard to trust and very unpredictable. It’s not something that they can just stop doing because it is related to the brain.
What do we learn about Julie?
We learn that Julie that Julie is in the mental institute because she is a drug addict. We also find out Julie’s thoughts on love and fidelity and her opinion of men. She does not seem to like psychiatrists and sees them as peeping toms.
Lewis’s Grandmother-
Lewis’ grandmother went mad and was in an asylum and was living in the year before Lewis was born and thought Lewis was Eric his father and his mother was about to have him.
Theme- Illusion and Reality-
Lewis has to explain to Ruth one of the mental patients that they are pretending or acting but as she is compulsive obsessive she must know exactly what to do and what they are pretending and why which can be frustrating for Lewis. I think it can be hard to explain it to a mental patient also.
Ruth-
Ruth seems to be the only patient that has a problem with pretending but is constantly asking Lewis if it is an illusion or real. I don’t think she understands why they need to pretend when the real would be so much more believable. She likes to know exactly what Lewis wants her to do and can’t just act.
Cherry’s crush on Lewis-
Cherry asks Lewis if he thinks women can remain faithful and if he thinks they are in the end of this scene. Cherry then tells Lewis that she would be faithful to let him know again that she likes him.
Example of Comedy- (HACM)
Roy has a very sarcastic sense of humor which can be quiet annoying and rude. Julie can be quite funny and is cracking a few funny jokes about what her life was like before the asylum. Julie can be quite sarcastic too and they all have pretty dry senses of humor.
Contrast between Nick and Lewis-
Nick can be very rude and is very critical of the mental patients and can be unreliable. Nick is only helping so Lewis will help him. Nick isn’t scared to tell the patients what he thinks and tells them exactly what to do, he is a better director. Nick knows that if you can’t convince the actors to do what you want to do then you will be no good at directing and I think that is why nick is a better director than Lewis. Nick is very up himself too and swears quite a bit whereas Lewis doesn’t and is very patient.
View expressed on the Vietnam War-
Nick shouldn’t support the Viet cong because they are the enemy. Australia and America shouldn’t be killing the Vietnamese. Nick should be supporting his own country. Communism is bad. The communists are winning.
Conflict between Nick and Henry-
Nick supports the Viet cong and communists and Henry supports the Americans. Nick gives money to north Vietnam for medical supplies and Henry supports Australia and what his father once fought for. Henry sees Nick as a traitor and wants communism stopped.
Theme- Love
The theme love plays a big part in the play Cosi, but all the mental patients have different views on what love is.
Lewis- Lewis thinks hearts should be hard won.
Roy- Roy thinks Mozart is about love, not madness. Roy seems to think hate is a much more strong emotion and we only love when we have nothing left to hate.
Julie- Julie says love is being foolish. Julie also thinks that love is like being on the edge or divine madness and is hallucinating without the drugs.
Cherry- Cherry thinks most women fight to keep men out of their pants.
Henry-Henry thinks Dora Bella was a temptress.
Theme- Reality
Having real props makes things more real and believable. Cherry introduces the idea of using shock treatment in the play and having real props and thinks it’s less fake and you see why a women’s heart would soften towards a man if she saw what was happening to him in shock treatment.
Shock treatment-
Cherry had the idea to use shock treatment in the play instead of a Mesmer magnet because it is more effective. Roy doesn’t agree because it’s not in his vision of the play. Shock treatment can be painful and because the patients have had it before Roy can act it out really well and it’s far more believable.
Theme- Mental illness
Mental illness patients receive shock treatment which is quite horrible and were put on a lot of different drugs to control there illnesses which can be a bit confronting and scary for Lewis when he sees Roy acting out what occurs during shock treatment.
Characters-
Roy and Julie
???
Lewis’ Decision-
Lewis decides not to go to Nick's moratorium meeting and stay at the asylum with the mental patients and rehearse because the patients need him and they open soon. Lewis doesn’t want to let the patients down either. The play is important to Lewis even though Lucy doesn’t see why and doesn’t agree with Lewis about it.
Lucy’s Reaction-
Lucy is surprised and angry with Lewis’s decision to not go to the moratorium meeting and thinks he’s stupid for doing a play on love and fidelity when there are more important things happening in the world at the moment. Nick is his best friend and this is a big event for him and Lewis isn’t going.
Love and Fidelity (sex)
(Lewis and Julie)
Lewis kissed Julie in the previous scene and I think he thinks that’s alright because it’s not sex but just a little kiss. I don’t think Lewis sees it as a big deal because he’s not sleeping with Julie. Lewis is angry at Lucy for not being true and faithful but really he isn’t either even though it was just a kiss.
Lewis’s reaction to Lucy sleeping with Nick-
Lewis seems very surprised and angry when he finds out Lucy is have sex with his best friend and refers it back to the opera because Lucy is just like the women in the play not because true and faithful.
Play within a play (HACM)
The book ‘Cosi’ is about a group of mental patients doing a play. The book is set out like a play also so it is like a play with in a play. The characters are acting out a play but they are doing a play within that play.
How this is illustrated in the scene-
This particular scene with Lucy and Lewis is set out like a play but they are not acting in the play. The way Lewis and Lucy are talking about sex and being true and faithful is like they are doing the play but it is a real life situation where the women has not been true and faithful. Lewis quotes the play/opera quite a bit when arguing with Lucy.
Lewis and Roy- how does Lewis deal with him?
Roy decides to quit just before opening night because he has stage fight and is nervous about performing. Lewis takes Roy aside away from the other mental patients and has a private conversation with him about how he can help him with his lines and that the patients are here to see him.
Nick and Lewis-
Lewis has finally had enough of nick bagging out the mental patients and sleeping with his girl friend. Nick starts say that Lewis has turned mental too and teases Lewis so Lewis punches him to the ground. Nick doesn’t see that it is a big deal that he is having sex with Lucy but Lewis is furious with him and is not mates with him anymore.
Love and Fidelity -as explored via Nick and Lewis-
It’s alright to not be true and faithful to your boyfriend or girlfriend if there are no feelings of love behind the sex but if it is just sex it’s alright and not cheating and you are still being true. Its free love, nothing more. There not married so it’s ok. If they’re not possessive about each other is not a big deal.
Nicks attitude-
Nick is very easy going and up himself. He feels pretty good because he’s protest is going to be good and he’s having sex with Lucy. Nick doesn’t treat Lewis very good at all and doesn’t think about how Lewis might be feeling. Nick has a very nasty attitude and is very sarcastic. He is not supportive of Lewis at all and teases him.
Lewis-How has he changed-
Lewis has become more of a man and has gained more confidence and won’t tolerate his friends picking on what he is doing. He’s is much better at controlling the mental patients and is a better director. He has changed from thinking love is unimportant and there are more important thing happening in the world to where would the world be without love.
Roy-what do we learn-
Roy spoke about his mother a lot in the beginning of the book and how he grew up with his mother singing the songs from Cosi but we find out that he was a foster child and was in and out of orphanages because the foster parents didn’t want him or couldn’t handle him.
Message of the opera-
One of the messages in the Opera ‘Cosi fan tutte’ is that women cannot be trusted or faithful. ‘Cosi fan tutte’ is translated as “Women are like that”. There is also a message that all can be forgiven and that love and understanding can put everything right again because the men take their women back after they still know that they would have married other men.
How have each of the characters blossomed?
Lewis changed for the better and from his experiences with the patients and even nick and Lucy, he has become a better director and a better person and has new thoughts on things such as love and has control of his life now.
Henry has come out of his shell and is far more confident. The other characters in the play all became a lot closer and more confident.
What has Lewis learnt?
Lewis has learnt that love is important and love is not just about sex but trust and being on the edge and excitement.
What happens to the cast members in the future?
Lewis- Moved house.
Henry- Died.
Roy- Went from ward to ward after fellow patients signed petitions to get rid of him.
Cherry- Sent one love letter to Lewis
Doug- Doug burnt down the theatre.
Julie- Died of a drug overdose.
Nick and Lucy- Didn’t last long, both into fidelity. Lucy became an academic and nick became Labour MP in the Upper House.
Zac- Left the asylum and founded a rock and roll group called ‘The Psychotic Wagner’s’ and went far with that.
Ruth- Left the institution to become a time and motion expert.
“What sort of thing do you want me to do with them? (Lewis)
"I can’t believe you’re going to do a show here…” (Lucy)
“They are normal people who have done extraordinary…” (Justin)
“Come on, jerry; let’s get this show on the road.” (Roy)
“You get to f*** the actresses?” (Doug)
“Henry’s part of a hand picked team.” (Roy)
“Piano?” (Zac)
“Doug! Roy! Stop, or ill knock your block off!” (Cherry)
“I prefer this to the ward.” (Julie)
“So we’ll pretend? To drink coffee.” (Ruth)
“I’m going to kill you for this!” (Cherry)
“Why can’t I ever say no? Just Leave. They’re mad. Its madness.” (Lewis)
“Barricades and bombs? Why not? Australians, especially young Australians of my age, are getting fed up with our society. We want changes and we want them now!” (Nick)
“Christ, Nick-!” (Lewis)
“Go burn a Cat.” (Cherry)
“Why are they always saying that?” (Lewis)
“It’s what I did.” (Doug)
“Was Lucy a virgin when you first had her?” (Doug)
“You know, I really like you…” (Cherry)
“I’ll go and get my sandwiches so I can share them with you.” (Cherry)
“Eat!” (Cherry)
“She’s into politics. She hates talk about love. She thinks it’s icky. ‘Love is the last gasp of bourgeois romanticism’ she says. She hates me doing an opera about love and fidelity while thousands of Vietnamese are being killed by American troops.” (Lewis)
“It was me! It was me! Doug isn’t to blame. I dropped a ciggie down the toilet.” (Cherry)
“Is that right?” (Justin)
[A silence, everyone looks to Lewis]
“That’s why she spends so much time in the toilets when she should be at rehearsal. It’s where she smokes.”
“You believe me that I didn’t start this fire deliberately?” (Doug)
“Henry, please…” (Lewis)
[Henry shakes his head. Roy falls to his knees and starts banging his head on the floor.]
“Why! Why am I always let down! Why do people let me down?!” (Roy)
“Roy, don’t do that.” (Lewis)
“Don’t ever tell a psychiatrist that story; they’d have a heart attack on the symbolism of it all.” (Julie)
“I guess so. I liked my grandmother, I knew she had gone mad, but she was still my grandmother.” (Lewis)
“An illusion, yes. And you’re both gazing at miniatures of your lovers.” (Lewis)
“Were in an illusion of a garden, carrying an illusion of tiny paintings, so shall I sit down and pretend I am acting?” (Ruth)
“I am. With someone like you I could be true and faithful.” (Cherry)
[She laughs] “See, Im happy coming to this burnt out theatre.”
“Christ, you’ll never be a director until you can convince them that what you want to do is what they want to do.” (Nick)
“Henry, I am not a communist. I do not send money to North Vietnam for medical supplies. Nick does, I do not. I am against this war, but I am not supporting the enemy. We must support any way of getting Australia and America out of this quagmire.” (Lewis)
“You are a traitor. Australian soldiers die. Die and you wave ffffflags for the Viet Cong.” (Henry)
“Hate is a much more pure emotion. We choose our enemies with greater care than our lovers. That’s why hatred lasts longer…” (Roy)
“Yes, the ore real it is, the more real it is.” (Ruth)
“One volt, two volts, three volts.” (Cherry)
“Are you alright Roy?” (Lewis)
“forty, eighty, a hundred-” (Cherry)
“Roy!” (Lewis)
[Roy starts to convulse as if real shocks are being sent through him. It looks so real that Julie and Henry are concerned for him and empathize. Cherry, though is enjoying this.]
[Becoming concerned]
“Are you alright Roy?” (Lewis)
“They need me.” (Lewis)
“You can’t go to both.” (Lucy)
“We open soon.” (Lewis)
“Make a choice!” (Lucy)
“Mozart. Im not going to let them down.” (Lewis)
“Without love the world wouldn’t mean much.” (Lewis)
“Lewis get a grip on yourself. You’ve always mistaken lust for love…” (Lucy)
“I’m not having sex with her.” (Lewis)
[Lewis is stunned.]
“It’s over. Im shifting house.” (Lewis)
LEWIS: “My Dorebella wouldn’t do such a thing, Did she misbehave?
Not that I have any doubts about her. What? Speak out! Did she fall for you? Oh, my god, if I even suspected-”
LUCY: “Lewis?”
LEWIS: [quoting Cosi] “Woman’s constancy is like the Arabian Phoenix. Everyone swears it exists, but no one has seen it.”
LUCY: “Don’t quote that fuckin’ opera at me! Is that what you think of women?
“Im not leaving, Im quitting.” (Roy)
“What are you on about – too much time with the loonies, Lewis.” (Nick)
“I should hit you.” (Lewis)
“Lucy’s not possessive about you im not possessive about her. What’s the fuss?” (Nick)
“Women shouldn’t come between mates.” (Nick)
“You’re not my mate.” (Lewis)
“It’s only sex.” (Nick)
“Thanks a lot.” (Lewis)
“I said, don’t sing that song.” (Lewis)
“He hasn’t got any parents, he’s an orphan.” (Cherry)
“But I thought his mother and father-” (Lewis)
“Everyone blames women but I forgive them, if they change their love a thousand times a day, some call it sin, others a drug but I think it’s the necessity of women’s hearts.” (Henry)
“…And the cast! Didn’t think it was possible. Came right out of their shells. They blossomed. Blossomed!” (Justin)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Background to Cosi - Mental Illness
What do you know about mental illness?
Mental illness is a broad term applied to various illnesses that affects the mind and psychology of people. The illness conflicts with how the person feels thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people. It has a continuous effect not only on the sufferer but also on their family, partners and friends. Some of the major diagnoses are depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, personality disorders, and eating disorders. Mental illness can affect anyone at any time. There are many degrees of mental illness ranging from being unable to cope with stress to not being able to get out of bed or leave home and relying on medication. There are ranges of different treatments for different levels and types of mental illness these include: “medication, cognitive and behavioral psychological therapies, psycho-social support, psychiatric disability rehabilitation, avoidance of risk factors such as harmful alcohol and other drug use, and learning self-management skills”. Patients are not born with the illness but may be at higher risk if other members of the family have had an mental illness, there are many factors that contribute to why someone may be diagnosed with a mental disease these can be environmental and to do with events that have happened in their life e.g. A death, it may also be from the makeup of the individuals brain, and patients may have suffered an extreme trauma. People with mental illness generally live fulfilling lives and control their illness without letting the illness control them.
How has mental illness been portrayed in the popular media?
It is so unfortunate looking at the history of mental illness in the media. Negatively spun news headlines, mental illness the blame for crimes both in the news and in television series and movies, and misinformed information being relayed to listeners and readers all played a major part in generating a destructive and negative view on mental illness.
From the website http://www.mindframe-media.info/site/index.cfm?display=83685 I found this startling information in regard to mental illness (survey):
• 51% of surveyors in felt that depictions of people with mental illness in the entertainment industry were negative, and 43% believed coverage of mental illness in the news media was mostly negative.
• 75% of consumers of mental health services in a UK study felt that media coverage was 'unfair, unbalanced or very negative', while 50% believed media portrayal of mental health issues had 'a negative effect on their mental health'.
• Studies showed that when participants were exposed to fictional or news items which portrayed mental illness negatively, they developed less positive attitudes towards mental illness. Positive items did not alter their attitudes.
Although mental illness does have a profound past of negative exposure, but in more recent times as the world becomes more equal, mental illness is being shown in a brighter light. I will just recall some of the programs that I have watched over the Christmas holiday period 09-10. First I saw “I am Sam” a touching movie about a man with the brain of a five year old winning his daughter back, his mental illness along with his friends all shown positively. I also observed an eye-opening documentary about people suffering tourettes but still doing marvelous things with their lives. Along with these there are other shows, movies, news programs and print media that are waking up o the reality that mental illness is here and ok!
What is the current thinking in relation to treatment? Has the institutional culture depicted in the play largely vanished?
When it comes to treating and helping out people with mental illness a lot of people may think of horrid Nurse Ratchet’s routine from the ward in the film “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. However treatments like confinement, sedative drugs, and electric shock “therapy” are rarely seen today. The current thinking in relation to mental illness is to give patients personal treatments in hope of giving them normal successful lives. Today so much research has gone into the reasons why people react differently to their lives, plus more awareness gives mental illness sufferers comfort. Group therapy offers support for people who may feel scared or alone. Improved medication may be prescribed but it can now be at different intensities varying on the patient. For some who may have been through trauma seeing a psychiatrist offers guidance and understanding. What is surprising to me is that although the institutions have vanished into our history electric shock therapy is still used but very rarely; the education as to how to successively complete the treatment has grown. The biggest help to those who have been diagnosed is the continuous support and understanding from loved ones plus research and proper to the world about mental illness. A grand majority of patients who go through mental illness overcome the illness and live fulfilling lives with their families.
Mental illness is a broad term applied to various illnesses that affects the mind and psychology of people. The illness conflicts with how the person feels thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people. It has a continuous effect not only on the sufferer but also on their family, partners and friends. Some of the major diagnoses are depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, personality disorders, and eating disorders. Mental illness can affect anyone at any time. There are many degrees of mental illness ranging from being unable to cope with stress to not being able to get out of bed or leave home and relying on medication. There are ranges of different treatments for different levels and types of mental illness these include: “medication, cognitive and behavioral psychological therapies, psycho-social support, psychiatric disability rehabilitation, avoidance of risk factors such as harmful alcohol and other drug use, and learning self-management skills”. Patients are not born with the illness but may be at higher risk if other members of the family have had an mental illness, there are many factors that contribute to why someone may be diagnosed with a mental disease these can be environmental and to do with events that have happened in their life e.g. A death, it may also be from the makeup of the individuals brain, and patients may have suffered an extreme trauma. People with mental illness generally live fulfilling lives and control their illness without letting the illness control them.
How has mental illness been portrayed in the popular media?
It is so unfortunate looking at the history of mental illness in the media. Negatively spun news headlines, mental illness the blame for crimes both in the news and in television series and movies, and misinformed information being relayed to listeners and readers all played a major part in generating a destructive and negative view on mental illness.
From the website http://www.mindframe-media.info/site/index.cfm?display=83685 I found this startling information in regard to mental illness (survey):
• 51% of surveyors in felt that depictions of people with mental illness in the entertainment industry were negative, and 43% believed coverage of mental illness in the news media was mostly negative.
• 75% of consumers of mental health services in a UK study felt that media coverage was 'unfair, unbalanced or very negative', while 50% believed media portrayal of mental health issues had 'a negative effect on their mental health'.
• Studies showed that when participants were exposed to fictional or news items which portrayed mental illness negatively, they developed less positive attitudes towards mental illness. Positive items did not alter their attitudes.
Although mental illness does have a profound past of negative exposure, but in more recent times as the world becomes more equal, mental illness is being shown in a brighter light. I will just recall some of the programs that I have watched over the Christmas holiday period 09-10. First I saw “I am Sam” a touching movie about a man with the brain of a five year old winning his daughter back, his mental illness along with his friends all shown positively. I also observed an eye-opening documentary about people suffering tourettes but still doing marvelous things with their lives. Along with these there are other shows, movies, news programs and print media that are waking up o the reality that mental illness is here and ok!
What is the current thinking in relation to treatment? Has the institutional culture depicted in the play largely vanished?
When it comes to treating and helping out people with mental illness a lot of people may think of horrid Nurse Ratchet’s routine from the ward in the film “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. However treatments like confinement, sedative drugs, and electric shock “therapy” are rarely seen today. The current thinking in relation to mental illness is to give patients personal treatments in hope of giving them normal successful lives. Today so much research has gone into the reasons why people react differently to their lives, plus more awareness gives mental illness sufferers comfort. Group therapy offers support for people who may feel scared or alone. Improved medication may be prescribed but it can now be at different intensities varying on the patient. For some who may have been through trauma seeing a psychiatrist offers guidance and understanding. What is surprising to me is that although the institutions have vanished into our history electric shock therapy is still used but very rarely; the education as to how to successively complete the treatment has grown. The biggest help to those who have been diagnosed is the continuous support and understanding from loved ones plus research and proper to the world about mental illness. A grand majority of patients who go through mental illness overcome the illness and live fulfilling lives with their families.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Background to Cosi - Vietnam War
by Blake Fiegert
Briefly describe the Vietnam War. How did the Vietnam War begin?
Vietnam War- September 26, 1959 to April 30, 1975. The Vietnam War was the result of two factors the first a battle between who was to lead Vietnam, the French, the Japanese or Vietnam itself; the second was a civil war regarding the opposing communists in the north and democratic in the south fighting for supremacy. Vietnam along with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma and Thailand formed Indochina and was originally ruled by French colonists by military force. During the Second World War the Japanese invaded Vietnam soil, however they were overpowered by the joining force of the French troops and Vietnamese troops called the Viet Minh. Viet Minh allied the French in hope that Vietnam would become independent. The French rejected Vietnams appeal, causing Viet Minh to turn on the French. Ho Chi Minh the leader of the north of Vietnam ordered that it shall be independent in 1945 and he oversaw the Viet Minh fighting against the French, regaining back their soil. With the French now defeated in the north of Vietnam, their democratic ideologies were also overrun and North Vietnam was now communist territory. South Vietnam was still democratic and its leaders detested the idea of becoming communists. Vietnam was officially split into north and south, communist and democratic, strong military power and weak; along the 17th line of parallel latitude. Discontent with South Vietnam staying democratic Ho Chi Minh declared civil war in prospect that Vietnam would become completely communist.
Who was involved and what was their motivation?
A war is ultimately between two opposing sides, and each side has ally’s strengthening their force.
North Vietnam was assisted by fellow communist supporting countries these included China and The Soviet Union (Known as Russia today).
China’s influence to North Vietnam goes back to the routes of the war when Vietnam was at war with its French control. China supplied the Viet Minh with weapons and military advisors. Chinas support could be said that it prompted North Vietnam to switch to communism. During the heart of the Vietnam War china supplied the communists with materials, rifles and guns for military bases and new technologies. There was also immense support from china in the aid of rebuilding of roads and camps in order to keep the heat North Vietnam had on the South. China supported the war for it sought after global communization.
The Soviet Union’s role in the war was as a strong supplier of medical supplies, arms, tanks, planes, helicopters, artillery, and anti-aircraft missiles plus it sent in approximately 3000 troops to control this machinery. The Soviet Union like china supported the war on political gains for communism. Along with China and The Soviet Union’s aid, North Vietnam also had their strong military power. They had the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), and the Vietcong, which was a communist army situated in enemy territory in South Vietnam.
South Vietnam would have been incredibly weak and vulnerable without the support of its fellow anti-communist ally’s. America, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Philippines, and France made up the opposing force of South Vietnam against the communists.
Although all the countries assisting South Vietnam feared the domino effect of communism taking over the democratic countries, none so were more concerned than America. America was the strongest support to South Vietnam pouring in the most troops than any other helping democratic country, even so that the Vietnam War has been referred to as “Americas War”.
John F. Kennedy was initiating America’s infiltration in the Vietnam War. Kennedy famously made this remark on behalf of America "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty”. America sent in over 3 million troops to fight the war, along with fighter planes, weapons and atomic bombs.
What exactly was Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War?
Australia’s motive in supporting south Vietnam in the war was gaining a strong alliance not just with South Vietnam but primarily America, incase in the future Australia was dependent on America returning the favor. This was a similar explanation for the other democratic countries aiding. America did not want be perceived wanting to rule Vietnam like the French had done, the support of Australia meant that America was seen as fighting with an international approach. From 1965 to 1972 Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister Menzies, Australia provided Vietnam with over fifty thousand Australian servicemen. Five hundred and one of those men did not return alive.
What made this war different from previous wars?
The Vietnam War was one that saw horrific deaths of troops, pilots, innocent men and women and the most vulnerable- children. The constant violence and dismay was the first to be shown right at home. The recent development of television and bigger print media saw the broadcasting of a real horror film each night. In America and Australia the families of the soldiers saw their loved ones fighting and getting killed and countries were getting split themselves half in support of the war and half resented it. The highly influential media feeds most defiantly could have contributed to the depression that would incase Australia.
Vietnam was the first war to see the use of unknown weapons on the battle field. “Agent Orange” a concentrated herbicide was spread across millions of acres by the US Air Force, killing dependable crops and produce. “Agent Orange” had not only destroyed vital food for Vietnam but had heightened the war into a sadistic level. The result, thirteen percent of Vietnam’s land poisoned by the dioxin, thirteen thousand livestock wiped out, one thousand peasants now lifeless and now a sad country left with half a million children born deformed and sick. “Agent Orange’s” total effect on Vietnam will never be entirely known.
What was the outcome?
Ho Chi Minh leader of North Vietnam was victorious, April 30, 1975 after 8 years of blood, death, depression and hardship was official over. The day before the North Vietnamese army attacked Saigon (the capital of South Vietnam) with strong artillery taking over the democratic government. Known as the “Fall of Saigon” North Vietnam had conquered, marking the start of the unification of North and South Vietnam into one pro communist country.
Although in the end one side of the civil war had rose above the other, the “outcome” of the war is more deep and profound than one side “winning”. Globally millions of men, women, and children- dead, killed, murdered, and deceased; all for leaders scared that their political ideologies would be overturned. No political reason could justify the death of one let alone millions of people. The Vietnam War has left permanent scars on families, survivors and the countries involved. Communist or democratic either way we were killing our brothers and sisters.
Describe the anti-war movement in Australia in the late sixties and early seventies.
How did it originate and what was the basis of the opposition?
To understand the reason behind the anti-war movement, it has to be understood what was happening back home in Australia during the time of the Vietnam War. Media each night showed the starting reality of death and gruesome fighting. Families were frightened to see their sons and daughters in a battle of such immoral magnitude. Australia’s willingness to be a part of this war had dropped. The Menzies government responded to the lack of “patriotism” by bringing in a system known as Conscription. Conscription labeled by opposes as the “death lottery”, was a way of enforcing men of Australia (aged 20 and below!!) to train and fight in Vietnam. The government was imposing these men to fight in a war which on the surface was just to gain “future” ally with America and one that was deemed to fail due to the frightening supremacy of the Vietcong. Australian anti-awar advocates simply just did not want to be reeled into a seemingly unjust battle. Powerful images from the “live” war feeds persuaded many Australians. Incidences when innocent men, women and children of Vietnam were being massacred in attacks by the us and its allies for example the “My Lai Massacre” made Australians question the ethics of the war.
Who was involved? Who were the principal figures?
The first primary response in opposing the war was from a group formed by furious mothers of boys eligible to be taken to fight. The group was called SOS which stood for “Save Our Sons”. Although it began as a small committee only two weeks after the government decided it would send troops the SOS grew to become a powerful wrecking ball to conscription and Australia in the war. Words from the SOS council newsletter it sums up their debate “The government has failed to convince Australians that Vietnam is truly a war in which young lives must be sacrificed, that is why it relies on unjust conscription law which forces young men into the army against their moral convictions”.
Another group of Australians, who also formed to stop conscription and fighting the war, was the men that were directly affected. They had either had been “selected” already or feared getting their birth date called out from the “death lottery” hundreds of university students and young adults who were well regarded in society declined the blood invitation to fight. There were a few organizations that coupled with SOS in protesting, they were the Draft Resistance Movement, Students for a Democratic Society, the Monash Pacifist Society, and Youth Against Conscription. As the eight years of Australians involvement in the war went on more and more support grew from men, women and children. One tuning point that enabled media press to highlight the antiwar committees was the imprisonment of the “fairlead five”. Joan Coxsedge, Jean McLean, Chris Cathie, Jo Maclaine-Cross and Irene Miller, wee apart of the SOS, however they were sent to fourteen days of prison for handing out leaflets to discourage the military men in going to Vietnam. Melbourne’s Fairlea Prison was atrocious but the women’s sacrifice enabled the media to feed of their sympathy, titles like “jailed wives” sprung up everywhere and Australia began to side with the anti-war campaign. The Fairlea Five were released after five days thanks to the attitudes of Australia.
What took place?
Disgruntled Australian citizens had enough of this unmerited war. The groups stated above were able to bring Australia’s disgust of the war to the political doorstep. It is incredible to grasp just how these inexperienced anti-war protesters coordinated such extreme public displays. It was a time when such relied on technology of today did not exist; there was no face-book or e-mail to quickly organize vast people from different states. Remarkably through Chinese whispers, flyers and newsletters, big demonstrations were conducted.
One example in 1971 would be the anti-Vietnam War demonstration in Victoria Square, Adelaide, thousands of passionate men and women lined the street in a peaceful demonstration but there were arrests and violent abuse shouted. Anti-war activist were commonly referred to as “…hysterical mothers with nothing better to do, as communist dupes, or as bimbos”. The abuse and assault that particularly women and young men were given did not drown the fight for moral justice. Australians were so outraged by the seemingly pointless war that when US President Johnson came through the country activists showered his car with paint signifying the atrocity in Vietnam. Others lay down in front of the cars and parade, the reaction from the political pro-war supporters Premier Askin was "Ride over the bastards". The Government had organized for Johnson to be greeted by a choir; however the anti-war demonstrators beckoned above the songs chanting, “Hey hey, LBJ, how many kids have you killed today?” Over the eight years the anti-war committee did not back down and they made their moral pleas heard. On 8 May 1970, over 200 000 people around Australia gathered in cities to demonstrate against Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. The anti-war movement forced Arthur Calwell out as the ALP Leader, Gough Whitlam stepped up and although he only got the troops in Vietnam to "withdraw to holding areas” it was the biggest win for Australian activists.
Briefly describe the Vietnam War. How did the Vietnam War begin?
Vietnam War- September 26, 1959 to April 30, 1975. The Vietnam War was the result of two factors the first a battle between who was to lead Vietnam, the French, the Japanese or Vietnam itself; the second was a civil war regarding the opposing communists in the north and democratic in the south fighting for supremacy. Vietnam along with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma and Thailand formed Indochina and was originally ruled by French colonists by military force. During the Second World War the Japanese invaded Vietnam soil, however they were overpowered by the joining force of the French troops and Vietnamese troops called the Viet Minh. Viet Minh allied the French in hope that Vietnam would become independent. The French rejected Vietnams appeal, causing Viet Minh to turn on the French. Ho Chi Minh the leader of the north of Vietnam ordered that it shall be independent in 1945 and he oversaw the Viet Minh fighting against the French, regaining back their soil. With the French now defeated in the north of Vietnam, their democratic ideologies were also overrun and North Vietnam was now communist territory. South Vietnam was still democratic and its leaders detested the idea of becoming communists. Vietnam was officially split into north and south, communist and democratic, strong military power and weak; along the 17th line of parallel latitude. Discontent with South Vietnam staying democratic Ho Chi Minh declared civil war in prospect that Vietnam would become completely communist.
Who was involved and what was their motivation?
A war is ultimately between two opposing sides, and each side has ally’s strengthening their force.
North Vietnam was assisted by fellow communist supporting countries these included China and The Soviet Union (Known as Russia today).
China’s influence to North Vietnam goes back to the routes of the war when Vietnam was at war with its French control. China supplied the Viet Minh with weapons and military advisors. Chinas support could be said that it prompted North Vietnam to switch to communism. During the heart of the Vietnam War china supplied the communists with materials, rifles and guns for military bases and new technologies. There was also immense support from china in the aid of rebuilding of roads and camps in order to keep the heat North Vietnam had on the South. China supported the war for it sought after global communization.
The Soviet Union’s role in the war was as a strong supplier of medical supplies, arms, tanks, planes, helicopters, artillery, and anti-aircraft missiles plus it sent in approximately 3000 troops to control this machinery. The Soviet Union like china supported the war on political gains for communism. Along with China and The Soviet Union’s aid, North Vietnam also had their strong military power. They had the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), and the Vietcong, which was a communist army situated in enemy territory in South Vietnam.
South Vietnam would have been incredibly weak and vulnerable without the support of its fellow anti-communist ally’s. America, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Philippines, and France made up the opposing force of South Vietnam against the communists.
Although all the countries assisting South Vietnam feared the domino effect of communism taking over the democratic countries, none so were more concerned than America. America was the strongest support to South Vietnam pouring in the most troops than any other helping democratic country, even so that the Vietnam War has been referred to as “Americas War”.
John F. Kennedy was initiating America’s infiltration in the Vietnam War. Kennedy famously made this remark on behalf of America "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty”. America sent in over 3 million troops to fight the war, along with fighter planes, weapons and atomic bombs.
What exactly was Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War?
Australia’s motive in supporting south Vietnam in the war was gaining a strong alliance not just with South Vietnam but primarily America, incase in the future Australia was dependent on America returning the favor. This was a similar explanation for the other democratic countries aiding. America did not want be perceived wanting to rule Vietnam like the French had done, the support of Australia meant that America was seen as fighting with an international approach. From 1965 to 1972 Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister Menzies, Australia provided Vietnam with over fifty thousand Australian servicemen. Five hundred and one of those men did not return alive.
What made this war different from previous wars?
The Vietnam War was one that saw horrific deaths of troops, pilots, innocent men and women and the most vulnerable- children. The constant violence and dismay was the first to be shown right at home. The recent development of television and bigger print media saw the broadcasting of a real horror film each night. In America and Australia the families of the soldiers saw their loved ones fighting and getting killed and countries were getting split themselves half in support of the war and half resented it. The highly influential media feeds most defiantly could have contributed to the depression that would incase Australia.
Vietnam was the first war to see the use of unknown weapons on the battle field. “Agent Orange” a concentrated herbicide was spread across millions of acres by the US Air Force, killing dependable crops and produce. “Agent Orange” had not only destroyed vital food for Vietnam but had heightened the war into a sadistic level. The result, thirteen percent of Vietnam’s land poisoned by the dioxin, thirteen thousand livestock wiped out, one thousand peasants now lifeless and now a sad country left with half a million children born deformed and sick. “Agent Orange’s” total effect on Vietnam will never be entirely known.
What was the outcome?
Ho Chi Minh leader of North Vietnam was victorious, April 30, 1975 after 8 years of blood, death, depression and hardship was official over. The day before the North Vietnamese army attacked Saigon (the capital of South Vietnam) with strong artillery taking over the democratic government. Known as the “Fall of Saigon” North Vietnam had conquered, marking the start of the unification of North and South Vietnam into one pro communist country.
Although in the end one side of the civil war had rose above the other, the “outcome” of the war is more deep and profound than one side “winning”. Globally millions of men, women, and children- dead, killed, murdered, and deceased; all for leaders scared that their political ideologies would be overturned. No political reason could justify the death of one let alone millions of people. The Vietnam War has left permanent scars on families, survivors and the countries involved. Communist or democratic either way we were killing our brothers and sisters.
Describe the anti-war movement in Australia in the late sixties and early seventies.
How did it originate and what was the basis of the opposition?
To understand the reason behind the anti-war movement, it has to be understood what was happening back home in Australia during the time of the Vietnam War. Media each night showed the starting reality of death and gruesome fighting. Families were frightened to see their sons and daughters in a battle of such immoral magnitude. Australia’s willingness to be a part of this war had dropped. The Menzies government responded to the lack of “patriotism” by bringing in a system known as Conscription. Conscription labeled by opposes as the “death lottery”, was a way of enforcing men of Australia (aged 20 and below!!) to train and fight in Vietnam. The government was imposing these men to fight in a war which on the surface was just to gain “future” ally with America and one that was deemed to fail due to the frightening supremacy of the Vietcong. Australian anti-awar advocates simply just did not want to be reeled into a seemingly unjust battle. Powerful images from the “live” war feeds persuaded many Australians. Incidences when innocent men, women and children of Vietnam were being massacred in attacks by the us and its allies for example the “My Lai Massacre” made Australians question the ethics of the war.
Who was involved? Who were the principal figures?
The first primary response in opposing the war was from a group formed by furious mothers of boys eligible to be taken to fight. The group was called SOS which stood for “Save Our Sons”. Although it began as a small committee only two weeks after the government decided it would send troops the SOS grew to become a powerful wrecking ball to conscription and Australia in the war. Words from the SOS council newsletter it sums up their debate “The government has failed to convince Australians that Vietnam is truly a war in which young lives must be sacrificed, that is why it relies on unjust conscription law which forces young men into the army against their moral convictions”.
Another group of Australians, who also formed to stop conscription and fighting the war, was the men that were directly affected. They had either had been “selected” already or feared getting their birth date called out from the “death lottery” hundreds of university students and young adults who were well regarded in society declined the blood invitation to fight. There were a few organizations that coupled with SOS in protesting, they were the Draft Resistance Movement, Students for a Democratic Society, the Monash Pacifist Society, and Youth Against Conscription. As the eight years of Australians involvement in the war went on more and more support grew from men, women and children. One tuning point that enabled media press to highlight the antiwar committees was the imprisonment of the “fairlead five”. Joan Coxsedge, Jean McLean, Chris Cathie, Jo Maclaine-Cross and Irene Miller, wee apart of the SOS, however they were sent to fourteen days of prison for handing out leaflets to discourage the military men in going to Vietnam. Melbourne’s Fairlea Prison was atrocious but the women’s sacrifice enabled the media to feed of their sympathy, titles like “jailed wives” sprung up everywhere and Australia began to side with the anti-war campaign. The Fairlea Five were released after five days thanks to the attitudes of Australia.
What took place?
Disgruntled Australian citizens had enough of this unmerited war. The groups stated above were able to bring Australia’s disgust of the war to the political doorstep. It is incredible to grasp just how these inexperienced anti-war protesters coordinated such extreme public displays. It was a time when such relied on technology of today did not exist; there was no face-book or e-mail to quickly organize vast people from different states. Remarkably through Chinese whispers, flyers and newsletters, big demonstrations were conducted.
One example in 1971 would be the anti-Vietnam War demonstration in Victoria Square, Adelaide, thousands of passionate men and women lined the street in a peaceful demonstration but there were arrests and violent abuse shouted. Anti-war activist were commonly referred to as “…hysterical mothers with nothing better to do, as communist dupes, or as bimbos”. The abuse and assault that particularly women and young men were given did not drown the fight for moral justice. Australians were so outraged by the seemingly pointless war that when US President Johnson came through the country activists showered his car with paint signifying the atrocity in Vietnam. Others lay down in front of the cars and parade, the reaction from the political pro-war supporters Premier Askin was "Ride over the bastards". The Government had organized for Johnson to be greeted by a choir; however the anti-war demonstrators beckoned above the songs chanting, “Hey hey, LBJ, how many kids have you killed today?” Over the eight years the anti-war committee did not back down and they made their moral pleas heard. On 8 May 1970, over 200 000 people around Australia gathered in cities to demonstrate against Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. The anti-war movement forced Arthur Calwell out as the ALP Leader, Gough Whitlam stepped up and although he only got the troops in Vietnam to "withdraw to holding areas” it was the biggest win for Australian activists.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Background to Cosi - Australia in 1971
The play is set in 1971.
What was life like in Australia in the 1970’s both socially and politically?
The seventies was a time when Australia liberated itself into an era of wild passionate rebellion and freedom. In today’s time we look back at the seventies and we see their colorful and psychedelic fashion. Men wore floral shirts, or ones with hypnotic patterns that tucked into tight skinny pants that flared at the bottom, a peace symbol would hang from their neck and big buckled belts tied the outfit together, their hair would be down to their shoulders in an untamed defying way and thick sideburns would a line their jaws. Women began to experiment with a vicarious style. Hair was large with volume, combined with “hippie” headbands, dresses were wavy and patterned, and they wore pants tight and high on the waist. The seventies lifestyle was about breaking rules and invigorating oneself away from the conventional world. The wild outfits complimented the vivid 70’s lifestyle. Sex, booze and drugs were the 70’s cocktail, keeping the young alive in the disco clubs and “Saturday Night Fever” dance scene. 1970’s was the decade of the people’s voice; it started the revolution in Women’s/Aboriginal/War rights and equality. Radical changes occurred in Australia, especially when Gough Whitlam from the labor government was elected, “baby boomers” wanted a change in Australia’s dated conservative values.
Explain what the women’s movement was about? Are the ideas behind the women’s movement in conflict with those in Cosi Fan Tutte?
The women’s movement was about challenging the way society and particularly men viewed their wives, mothers, daughters and female employees. Somewhere in history men had developed an egotistical view that the male genetics were “superior” to female ones. Women had grown sick of being trapped to the confines of house duties, a sexist workforce, low-status jobs with little or no pay, powerlessness to sexual exploitation, restricted availability for education, and silence on taboo subjects: abortion, contraception, lesbianism and sexuality. By themselves women could not have a voice loud enough to be heard over the authoritarian men of Australia, but combined as a nation of strong willed women they were heard by everyone. In 1969 the first women’s liberation group was formed and more groups followed across Australia. On the Saturday closest to 8th of March, each year women across Australia would gather and march on the “political” streets of the each state. With fervor fueling their bodies they bared their beliefs and for some their breasts (symbolizing revolt against male prejudice). Through the years of assertion women changed Australia (and although not yet perfect) to a more equal and just one.
The women’s liberation movement tore down a wall of sexism and women worked with equal pay in jobs that were once exclusive to men, they completed degrees and diplomas, childcare was available to all, contraceptives more freely accessible, rape and abuse acknowledged, the right to vote and have a voice for Australia and abortion now an option. The women’s movement was a journey of women gaining fairness in a once testosterone provoked country.
There are many parallels and conflicts with the play Cosi Fan Tutte and the time of the women’s liberation movement. Firstly there are similarities with how Ferrendo and Guglielmo are so sure that their wives are overwhelmed with smitten for them that they would never commit infidelity, and how men of the seventies thought that they had control females and they would never detour from what they wanted or believed. The two husbands sneakily return and try to woo the girls and rejected, the movement saw women standing up for themselves and not being pushed over by men.
The ways the movement conflicts the play are how Fiordiligi and Dorabella eventually fall for the opposite men in disguise, in the seventies women were embracing their own strength not succumbing to male dominance. Secondly Don Alfonso is the main manipulator of the occurrences such the same as men were always the one with power in society. This is further strengthened when the two men are supposedly called up for war, during the women’s liberation men were the only ones being called up for war and lots never returned.
What changes took place in Australia after the election of the Whitlam labor government in 1972?
The Whitlam government (1972) was an answer to the revolution that the 70’s baby boomers were asking for and a wakeup call for conservative Australia. He transformed the areas of health, education, immigration, Aboriginal rights, foreign affairs, industrial relations, and finance for the arts. Whitlam also won great rapport for the withdrawal of Australian troops in Vietnam. His actions in lowering the voting age to 18 gave voice to the youth. Even though Whitlam had gained a good reputation with the revolutionists of Australia objectors devoured the controversy of the government which such incidences like the overseas Loans affair (accusations of illegal loans of money from Middle Eastern countries) and the blame for a shaky economy, high levels of inflation and a rise in unemployment. Gough Whitlam was deemed so negligent that the Queen’s representative in Australia discharged the prime minister. Whitlam supporters were outraged that the monarchy could have such a power.
What was life like in Australia in the 1970’s both socially and politically?
The seventies was a time when Australia liberated itself into an era of wild passionate rebellion and freedom. In today’s time we look back at the seventies and we see their colorful and psychedelic fashion. Men wore floral shirts, or ones with hypnotic patterns that tucked into tight skinny pants that flared at the bottom, a peace symbol would hang from their neck and big buckled belts tied the outfit together, their hair would be down to their shoulders in an untamed defying way and thick sideburns would a line their jaws. Women began to experiment with a vicarious style. Hair was large with volume, combined with “hippie” headbands, dresses were wavy and patterned, and they wore pants tight and high on the waist. The seventies lifestyle was about breaking rules and invigorating oneself away from the conventional world. The wild outfits complimented the vivid 70’s lifestyle. Sex, booze and drugs were the 70’s cocktail, keeping the young alive in the disco clubs and “Saturday Night Fever” dance scene. 1970’s was the decade of the people’s voice; it started the revolution in Women’s/Aboriginal/War rights and equality. Radical changes occurred in Australia, especially when Gough Whitlam from the labor government was elected, “baby boomers” wanted a change in Australia’s dated conservative values.
Explain what the women’s movement was about? Are the ideas behind the women’s movement in conflict with those in Cosi Fan Tutte?
The women’s movement was about challenging the way society and particularly men viewed their wives, mothers, daughters and female employees. Somewhere in history men had developed an egotistical view that the male genetics were “superior” to female ones. Women had grown sick of being trapped to the confines of house duties, a sexist workforce, low-status jobs with little or no pay, powerlessness to sexual exploitation, restricted availability for education, and silence on taboo subjects: abortion, contraception, lesbianism and sexuality. By themselves women could not have a voice loud enough to be heard over the authoritarian men of Australia, but combined as a nation of strong willed women they were heard by everyone. In 1969 the first women’s liberation group was formed and more groups followed across Australia. On the Saturday closest to 8th of March, each year women across Australia would gather and march on the “political” streets of the each state. With fervor fueling their bodies they bared their beliefs and for some their breasts (symbolizing revolt against male prejudice). Through the years of assertion women changed Australia (and although not yet perfect) to a more equal and just one.
The women’s liberation movement tore down a wall of sexism and women worked with equal pay in jobs that were once exclusive to men, they completed degrees and diplomas, childcare was available to all, contraceptives more freely accessible, rape and abuse acknowledged, the right to vote and have a voice for Australia and abortion now an option. The women’s movement was a journey of women gaining fairness in a once testosterone provoked country.
There are many parallels and conflicts with the play Cosi Fan Tutte and the time of the women’s liberation movement. Firstly there are similarities with how Ferrendo and Guglielmo are so sure that their wives are overwhelmed with smitten for them that they would never commit infidelity, and how men of the seventies thought that they had control females and they would never detour from what they wanted or believed. The two husbands sneakily return and try to woo the girls and rejected, the movement saw women standing up for themselves and not being pushed over by men.
The ways the movement conflicts the play are how Fiordiligi and Dorabella eventually fall for the opposite men in disguise, in the seventies women were embracing their own strength not succumbing to male dominance. Secondly Don Alfonso is the main manipulator of the occurrences such the same as men were always the one with power in society. This is further strengthened when the two men are supposedly called up for war, during the women’s liberation men were the only ones being called up for war and lots never returned.
What changes took place in Australia after the election of the Whitlam labor government in 1972?
The Whitlam government (1972) was an answer to the revolution that the 70’s baby boomers were asking for and a wakeup call for conservative Australia. He transformed the areas of health, education, immigration, Aboriginal rights, foreign affairs, industrial relations, and finance for the arts. Whitlam also won great rapport for the withdrawal of Australian troops in Vietnam. His actions in lowering the voting age to 18 gave voice to the youth. Even though Whitlam had gained a good reputation with the revolutionists of Australia objectors devoured the controversy of the government which such incidences like the overseas Loans affair (accusations of illegal loans of money from Middle Eastern countries) and the blame for a shaky economy, high levels of inflation and a rise in unemployment. Gough Whitlam was deemed so negligent that the Queen’s representative in Australia discharged the prime minister. Whitlam supporters were outraged that the monarchy could have such a power.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Cosi fan tutte - summary
Cosi Fan Tutte (COZ-ee Fan TUT-tee )
Fiordiligi (Fee-or-di-LEE-gee )
Dorabella (Dor-a-BEL-lah)
Guglielmo (Goo-glee-AL-moh)
Ferrando (Fer-RAN-doh)
Despina (Dez-SPEE-nah)
Don Alfonso (Don El-FON-soh)
ACT I
In eighteenth-century Naples, the elderly cynic Don Alfonso discusses women with two young officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo. The gallants insist their sweet-hearts are paragons of virtue ("La mia Dorabella") and accept Alfonso's bet that he can prove the ladies fickle if they do as he says for twenty-four hours.
The sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella revel in their love for Guglielmo and Ferrando, respectively, showing pictures they carry in their lockets ("Ah, guarda, sorella. ") Alfonso comes in with sad news: the young men have been called to their regiment. They appear, and the five make elaborate farewells ("Sento, O Dio.") As soldiers march by, Ferrando and Guglielmo fall in, lamented in a trio ("Soave sia il vento .") Alfonso, alone, delivers one last jeer at women's inconstancy.
The maid, Despina, offers the sisters advice about forgetting old lovers with the help of new ones ("In uomini, in soldati,") but her mistresses resent her capricious approach to love. Dorabella, in fact, is outraged ("Simanie implacabili.") When they leave, Alfonso comes to bribe Despina to introduce two foreign friends of his to the ladies. The sisters, returning, are scandalized to see the strangers, whom they do not recognize as their lovers, heavily disguised as Albanians. The newcomers declare their admiration for the ladies, but both repulse them, and Fiordiligi likens her fidelity to a rock ("Come scoglio.") The men are thrilled, but Alfonso warns the bet isn't won yet. As Ferrando blissfully reiterates his passion for Dorabella, Despina suggests a plan to Alfonso to win the ladies' sympathy.
Alone in their garden, the sisters lament the absence of their lovers. Suddenly the "Albanians" stagger in, pretending to have poisoned themselves in despair over their rejection. Alfonso and Despina run for a doctor while the ladies begin to waver: pity for the strangers will be their undoing. Despina returns, disguised as a doctor using Dr. Mesmer's invention, the magnet, to draw out the poison, and urging the sisters to nurse the patients as they recover. The men revive ("Dove son?,") but their increased ardor alarms the women, who angrily refuse their demands for a kiss.
ACT II
Attending her mistresses, Despina lectures them on their stubbornness and describes how to handle men ("Una donna a quindici anni.") Dorabella is persuaded there could be no harm in a little flirtation, and surprisingly, Fiordiligi agrees. They decide who will pair off with whom ("Prenderò quel brunettino.")
The young men have arranged a serenade in the garden. Seeing their wager through, Guglielmo ardently pursues Dorabella while Ferrando woos Fiordiligi ("Ah lo veggio quell'anima bella,") who admits he has touched her heart ("Per pietà, ") hoping her absent lover will forgive her. When the men compare notes, Guglielmo is glad to see Fiordiligi standing fast - or so he thinks - but Ferrando is dismayed that Dorabella has given in to Guglielmo, who comments on the waywardness of the fair sex ("Donne mie, la fate a tanti!.") Left alone, Ferrando expresses his love for Dorabella, though he feels betrayed ("Tradito schernito.")
Fiordiligi rebukes Dorabella for being fickle, although she admits that in her heart she has succumbed to the stranger. Despina coaxes her to find a way, saying love is a thief and people get robbed every day ("E amore un ladroncello.") Alone, Fiordiligi decides to drag her sister off to join their sweethearts at the front, but Ferrando, pursuing the wager, threatens suicide, and Fiordiligi gives in. Now Guglielmo is furious, but Alfonso counsels forgiveness: that's the way women are, he claims ("Tutti accusans le donne.")
A double wedding is arranged between the sisters and the "Albanians." Alfonso brings in the notary - Despina in another disguise. Just as the ladies have signed the marriage contract, familiar martial strains outside herald the return of the former lovers' regiment. In panic the sisters push their intended husbands from the room and go more or less to pieces when the men reappear without their "Albanian" mufti. Ferrando and Guglielmo storm at the ladies when the marriage contract is discovered. But Alfonso explains the deception, reasoning that true happiness lies not in romantic illusions but in accepting things as they are. Agreeing a trick can work both ways, the lovers reconcile.
Fiordiligi (Fee-or-di-LEE-gee )
Dorabella (Dor-a-BEL-lah)
Guglielmo (Goo-glee-AL-moh)
Ferrando (Fer-RAN-doh)
Despina (Dez-SPEE-nah)
Don Alfonso (Don El-FON-soh)
ACT I
In eighteenth-century Naples, the elderly cynic Don Alfonso discusses women with two young officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo. The gallants insist their sweet-hearts are paragons of virtue ("La mia Dorabella") and accept Alfonso's bet that he can prove the ladies fickle if they do as he says for twenty-four hours.
The sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella revel in their love for Guglielmo and Ferrando, respectively, showing pictures they carry in their lockets ("Ah, guarda, sorella. ") Alfonso comes in with sad news: the young men have been called to their regiment. They appear, and the five make elaborate farewells ("Sento, O Dio.") As soldiers march by, Ferrando and Guglielmo fall in, lamented in a trio ("Soave sia il vento .") Alfonso, alone, delivers one last jeer at women's inconstancy.
The maid, Despina, offers the sisters advice about forgetting old lovers with the help of new ones ("In uomini, in soldati,") but her mistresses resent her capricious approach to love. Dorabella, in fact, is outraged ("Simanie implacabili.") When they leave, Alfonso comes to bribe Despina to introduce two foreign friends of his to the ladies. The sisters, returning, are scandalized to see the strangers, whom they do not recognize as their lovers, heavily disguised as Albanians. The newcomers declare their admiration for the ladies, but both repulse them, and Fiordiligi likens her fidelity to a rock ("Come scoglio.") The men are thrilled, but Alfonso warns the bet isn't won yet. As Ferrando blissfully reiterates his passion for Dorabella, Despina suggests a plan to Alfonso to win the ladies' sympathy.
Alone in their garden, the sisters lament the absence of their lovers. Suddenly the "Albanians" stagger in, pretending to have poisoned themselves in despair over their rejection. Alfonso and Despina run for a doctor while the ladies begin to waver: pity for the strangers will be their undoing. Despina returns, disguised as a doctor using Dr. Mesmer's invention, the magnet, to draw out the poison, and urging the sisters to nurse the patients as they recover. The men revive ("Dove son?,") but their increased ardor alarms the women, who angrily refuse their demands for a kiss.
ACT II
Attending her mistresses, Despina lectures them on their stubbornness and describes how to handle men ("Una donna a quindici anni.") Dorabella is persuaded there could be no harm in a little flirtation, and surprisingly, Fiordiligi agrees. They decide who will pair off with whom ("Prenderò quel brunettino.")
The young men have arranged a serenade in the garden. Seeing their wager through, Guglielmo ardently pursues Dorabella while Ferrando woos Fiordiligi ("Ah lo veggio quell'anima bella,") who admits he has touched her heart ("Per pietà, ") hoping her absent lover will forgive her. When the men compare notes, Guglielmo is glad to see Fiordiligi standing fast - or so he thinks - but Ferrando is dismayed that Dorabella has given in to Guglielmo, who comments on the waywardness of the fair sex ("Donne mie, la fate a tanti!.") Left alone, Ferrando expresses his love for Dorabella, though he feels betrayed ("Tradito schernito.")
Fiordiligi rebukes Dorabella for being fickle, although she admits that in her heart she has succumbed to the stranger. Despina coaxes her to find a way, saying love is a thief and people get robbed every day ("E amore un ladroncello.") Alone, Fiordiligi decides to drag her sister off to join their sweethearts at the front, but Ferrando, pursuing the wager, threatens suicide, and Fiordiligi gives in. Now Guglielmo is furious, but Alfonso counsels forgiveness: that's the way women are, he claims ("Tutti accusans le donne.")
A double wedding is arranged between the sisters and the "Albanians." Alfonso brings in the notary - Despina in another disguise. Just as the ladies have signed the marriage contract, familiar martial strains outside herald the return of the former lovers' regiment. In panic the sisters push their intended husbands from the room and go more or less to pieces when the men reappear without their "Albanian" mufti. Ferrando and Guglielmo storm at the ladies when the marriage contract is discovered. But Alfonso explains the deception, reasoning that true happiness lies not in romantic illusions but in accepting things as they are. Agreeing a trick can work both ways, the lovers reconcile.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
