The Tale of Two Women
Sondra Callaway Professor Keneda
Mod Essay # 5 English Comp II
26 February 2013
The Tale of Two Women
In Jane Martin’s play “Beauty”, the author creates two characters who examine the human failing of wanting things they perceive they do not possess. One woman desires beauty while other lady desires intelligence. Also, the stage direction illustrates the irony of the characters’ interactions. By the play’s conclusion, Martin changes the characters’ outward appearances while keeping their original intelligences. Bethany, who represents the intelligent women, speaks for the Genie who is never seen until the play’s end. The magic lamp, on the other hand, is present at the beginning of the play. The lamp represents the change that Bethany desires. Carla, who portrays the beautiful women, is talking on the phone at the beginning of the play. The telephone represents her peers not treating her as an intelligent individual. She is treated as if her were another pretty face in the world. Both women want change, but Bethany seeks change first. In a way, Bethany fulfills the role of the seeker. Carla is shown to the audience using the telephone which could imply a more materialist aspect of her character. Bethany brings something that is supernatural and Carla uses something tangible. It is though that Jane Martin is a pseudonym for Jon Jory. (Robbins 2) If so, he is the one that is seen directing the play not Jane Martin. It is believed that Jory writes with the help of his wife Marcia Dicxy Jory (2). However, it is unfortunate that a majority of literary critics are more fascinated with Jane Martin’s real identity than her published work “Beauty”. Bethany and Carla each believe they want the attributes each was born with. The playwright creates characters that are envious of each other. The characters experience jealousy, discontentment, success, and approval.
Bethany and Carla are jealous of the life the other leads. Bethany tells Carla “I
Mod Essay # 5 English Comp II
26 February 2013
The Tale of Two Women
In Jane Martin’s play “Beauty”, the author creates two characters who examine the human failing of wanting things they perceive they do not possess. One woman desires beauty while other lady desires intelligence. Also, the stage direction illustrates the irony of the characters’ interactions. By the play’s conclusion, Martin changes the characters’ outward appearances while keeping their original intelligences. Bethany, who represents the intelligent women, speaks for the Genie who is never seen until the play’s end. The magic lamp, on the other hand, is present at the beginning of the play. The lamp represents the change that Bethany desires. Carla, who portrays the beautiful women, is talking on the phone at the beginning of the play. The telephone represents her peers not treating her as an intelligent individual. She is treated as if her were another pretty face in the world. Both women want change, but Bethany seeks change first. In a way, Bethany fulfills the role of the seeker. Carla is shown to the audience using the telephone which could imply a more materialist aspect of her character. Bethany brings something that is supernatural and Carla uses something tangible. It is though that Jane Martin is a pseudonym for Jon Jory. (Robbins 2) If so, he is the one that is seen directing the play not Jane Martin. It is believed that Jory writes with the help of his wife Marcia Dicxy Jory (2). However, it is unfortunate that a majority of literary critics are more fascinated with Jane Martin’s real identity than her published work “Beauty”. Bethany and Carla each believe they want the attributes each was born with. The playwright creates characters that are envious of each other. The characters experience jealousy, discontentment, success, and approval.
Bethany and Carla are jealous of the life the other leads. Bethany tells Carla “I
Cited: Green, Leah. “Jane Marin.” Critical Survey of Drama, Second Revised Edition (2003): 1-4. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Helbig, Jack. “Collected Plays(Book).” Booklist 98.16 (2002): 1376. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Martin Jane. “Beauty” (2001): 1106 - 1109. Rpt. In Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice, 2007. 222 Paulk, J. Sara. “Book Reviews: Arts & Humanities.” Library Journal 121.1 (1996): 101. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Robbins, Dorothy Dodge. “Jane Martin.” Cyclopedia of World Authors, Fourth Revised Edition (2003): 1. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Web. 26Feb. 2013.