Notes on Elemeno Pea
9/3/13
FFC Notes—The Family Drama Onstage
Ellemeno Pea
Synopsis
In the play Ellemeno Pea, Simone introduces her currently dead-ended sister to her life of luxury working as a sort of babysitter for obnoxiously wealthy people. Her boss, Michaela, interrupts their sisters-only weekend with marital (and superficial soap related) woes, fearing a divorce from her husband Peter, and Simone’s new idiotic beau Ethan also stops by. In the end, Devon gains some perspective on Michaela and Simone—and Ethan and Simone go away together.
How do I relate to this text?
I have a sister with whom I share a very close bond. However, we have similar values about life and other things….which it seems like at this point in their lives, Simone and Devon do not. Perhaps if I was to get a luxurious job or Holly was, and I saw her values change (suddenly caring about soap brands)….yeah, I think for certain I would feel as nonplussed as Devon does.
What cultural/societal questions does this text respond to?
Definitely the lack of work in this time of economic downturn—Devon embodies the thousands who are stuck in low positions for which they are overqualified simply because they can’t find work. There’s also the question of status—the division between different levels of income, the values they hold dear compared to other levels. It’s interesting to see how they relate or don’t relate to what another and what are the things that resonate with all levels and force them to see eye to eye.
Close reading
First line: “Come on in, make yourself at home”
Ironic: Devon struggles (and NEVER accomplishes) feeling at home here in OPULENCE
Ironic: Not either of their houses. Not even the MAIN house.
Ironic: Nobody wants Devon there.
How does Devon communicate that she’s never been anywhere this rich? Her body language, her first words: “Holy Shit”
Labels:
Martha’s Vineyard (rich New England community where people “summer.” The kind of people who use summer as a verb.) Another
FFC Notes—The Family Drama Onstage
Ellemeno Pea
Synopsis
In the play Ellemeno Pea, Simone introduces her currently dead-ended sister to her life of luxury working as a sort of babysitter for obnoxiously wealthy people. Her boss, Michaela, interrupts their sisters-only weekend with marital (and superficial soap related) woes, fearing a divorce from her husband Peter, and Simone’s new idiotic beau Ethan also stops by. In the end, Devon gains some perspective on Michaela and Simone—and Ethan and Simone go away together.
How do I relate to this text?
I have a sister with whom I share a very close bond. However, we have similar values about life and other things….which it seems like at this point in their lives, Simone and Devon do not. Perhaps if I was to get a luxurious job or Holly was, and I saw her values change (suddenly caring about soap brands)….yeah, I think for certain I would feel as nonplussed as Devon does.
What cultural/societal questions does this text respond to?
Definitely the lack of work in this time of economic downturn—Devon embodies the thousands who are stuck in low positions for which they are overqualified simply because they can’t find work. There’s also the question of status—the division between different levels of income, the values they hold dear compared to other levels. It’s interesting to see how they relate or don’t relate to what another and what are the things that resonate with all levels and force them to see eye to eye.
Close reading
First line: “Come on in, make yourself at home”
Ironic: Devon struggles (and NEVER accomplishes) feeling at home here in OPULENCE
Ironic: Not either of their houses. Not even the MAIN house.
Ironic: Nobody wants Devon there.
How does Devon communicate that she’s never been anywhere this rich? Her body language, her first words: “Holy Shit”
Labels:
Martha’s Vineyard (rich New England community where people “summer.” The kind of people who use summer as a verb.) Another