Our Country's Good Essay
The controversy over refugees has become an integral part of today’s political discussion, with widespread political conflicts leaving many groups desperate for a safe haven. Due to the violent nature of these conflicts, a large portion of refugees have experienced torture, and have had to cope with intense trauma. The convicts and officers in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good have very similar circumstances with modern day refugees, enduring constant persecution and violence. Consequently, both the play and “The Psychological Impact of Torture,” a review on the effects of torture on refugees, can provide a glimpse into how people react and cope under dehumanizing conditions. Many characters in Our Country’s Good endure immense cruelty, each reacting differently to their circumstances. Harry Brewer, a lowly officer, is a prime example of the effects of dehumanization. As a low-ranking cog in the penal colony machine, Harry faces his own form of torture: executing disobeying prisoners. His overwhelming guilt from
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killing causes a descent into madness, where hallucinations of his victims haunt him and remind him of his faults. Handy Baker, one of Harry’s victims, appears in his mind and taunts him, saying “You wanted me dead.” (Wertenbaker 74). As a figment of Harry’s subconscious thoughts, Handy Baker’s constant appearances throughout the play shows how Harry considers himself complicit and maybe even responsible for these executions, even though he himself is subject to the wrath of his superiors if he disobeys them. This helplessness causes Harry to become consumed by rage, and turn to alcohol as a means to grapple with his inner turmoil, which eventually leads to his demise. Harry’s response to his position as an executioner shows how constant exposure to cruel treatment can result in self-blame, and spiral into psychosis. On the other hand, Liz Morden, a convict accused of stealing, descends into depression, indifferent towards her impending execution. Her submission is best demonstrated during her questioning in front of the colony’s officers. Liz finds any form of protest against her unjust execution futile, simply stating “it wouldn’t have mattered” (Wertenbaker 100) when asked about her motives for refusing to proclaim her own innocence. Her constant subjection to the dehumanizing treatment from her superiors results in a similar feeling of helplessness with Harry, but she passively accepts her own lack of control, and adopts a false sense of peace. Liz and Harry both represent the spectrum in which people behave under dehumanizing conditions. One can become despondent, or decline into insanity and rage. Current conflicts throughout the world have led to an influx of refugees seeking asylum in foreign countries.
As a result, many scientists to seek to understand the psychological tolls that mental and physical trauma has on these individuals. An article published in the British Journal of Pain, titled “The Psychological Impact of Torture,” delves into this topic, describing the varying experiences that refugees have on their journeys and the effects that they have. Not only do many refugees encounter dehumanizing conditions at their own homes, they also face incredible amounts of stress due to the difficult process of transitioning and restarting their lives. Their suffering can be so intense that it results in “the destruction of all that gave their lives meaning” (Williams and van der Merwe, 103). Consequently, refugees often develop mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and, in some rare cases,
psychosis. Both Our Country’s Good and “The Psychological Impact of Torture” show how people can cope with dehumanization in varying ways. In the play, Harry and Liz, while both trapped in their own suffering, react differently. Harry experiences hallucinations and attempts to sedate his emotions with alcohol, while Liz resigns completely. The article further elaborates on these responses, outlining the many thought processes that survivors of dehumanizing conditions can have.
killing causes a descent into madness, where hallucinations of his victims haunt him and remind him of his faults. Handy Baker, one of Harry’s victims, appears in his mind and taunts him, saying “You wanted me dead.” (Wertenbaker 74). As a figment of Harry’s subconscious thoughts, Handy Baker’s constant appearances throughout the play shows how Harry considers himself complicit and maybe even responsible for these executions, even though he himself is subject to the wrath of his superiors if he disobeys them. This helplessness causes Harry to become consumed by rage, and turn to alcohol as a means to grapple with his inner turmoil, which eventually leads to his demise. Harry’s response to his position as an executioner shows how constant exposure to cruel treatment can result in self-blame, and spiral into psychosis. On the other hand, Liz Morden, a convict accused of stealing, descends into depression, indifferent towards her impending execution. Her submission is best demonstrated during her questioning in front of the colony’s officers. Liz finds any form of protest against her unjust execution futile, simply stating “it wouldn’t have mattered” (Wertenbaker 100) when asked about her motives for refusing to proclaim her own innocence. Her constant subjection to the dehumanizing treatment from her superiors results in a similar feeling of helplessness with Harry, but she passively accepts her own lack of control, and adopts a false sense of peace. Liz and Harry both represent the spectrum in which people behave under dehumanizing conditions. One can become despondent, or decline into insanity and rage. Current conflicts throughout the world have led to an influx of refugees seeking asylum in foreign countries.
As a result, many scientists to seek to understand the psychological tolls that mental and physical trauma has on these individuals. An article published in the British Journal of Pain, titled “The Psychological Impact of Torture,” delves into this topic, describing the varying experiences that refugees have on their journeys and the effects that they have. Not only do many refugees encounter dehumanizing conditions at their own homes, they also face incredible amounts of stress due to the difficult process of transitioning and restarting their lives. Their suffering can be so intense that it results in “the destruction of all that gave their lives meaning” (Williams and van der Merwe, 103). Consequently, refugees often develop mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and, in some rare cases,
psychosis. Both Our Country’s Good and “The Psychological Impact of Torture” show how people can cope with dehumanization in varying ways. In the play, Harry and Liz, while both trapped in their own suffering, react differently. Harry experiences hallucinations and attempts to sedate his emotions with alcohol, while Liz resigns completely. The article further elaborates on these responses, outlining the many thought processes that survivors of dehumanizing conditions can have.