Thursday, April 11, 2013
Detroit
Honestly, when I think of Detroit, I think of a crime addled city that has fallen from grace and has yet to gain any momentum in rebuilding itself to it's former glory. So with that in mind I believe that the title Detroit perhaps allude to the characters Sharon and Kenny's seedy backgrounds. I say this because I feel like these two characters are a lot like the city of Detroit in that, they both have had trying times and like the city, they are in desperate need of someone or something to pull them out of their current destructive state. I believe that these two characters are trying so very hard to attain some aspect of normality so much so that they break into the home that Kenny's great uncle owns and start to play house with the neighbors. It's a cry for help, they want to stay sober they want to rebuild their lives but there are forces at work that keep them from doing so, the temptation of drugs and alcohol are strong influences that continue to draw them back into a downward spiral. Eventually, in their drunken state they even start a fire which leads to the destruction of Ben and Mary's home which to me, directly symbolizes how drugs and alcohol are inherently destructive. Again I think the parallel is strongly in place with the images that come to mind in regard to Detroit or a typical city in which crime and drugs are a constant problem, something that eats away at the soul of the city. Detroit is also a city that people can easily recall, people remember what Detroit once was, and look back on it with fond memories of old time America. After all, D'Amour did chose to place these characters in houses that were build in the 1950's, a time in which the perfect American household was clearly defined and commercialized. I think that the overall motif in this play is rebuilding, and if any city ever needed rebuilding, it would be Detroit. If any couple needed to rebuild their lives it would be Sharon and Kenny.
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I really liked the way you related the play to the city Detroit, in my response we had very similar ideas about how run down and fallen the city is, which directly correlates to Kenny and Sharron’s relationship. I also really liked how you linked the destruction of Ben and Mary’s house to how drugs destroy people. Also I feel like even with the destruction, the play has a lingering feel of hope because like anything that starts at zero, there is always room to move up. Our reference to how D’Amour intentionally decided to have the houses in a 1950’s style, symbolizing that perfect American image really added a new perspective for me as well, so thank you for pointing that out because it didn’t originally cross my mind.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your explanation of why the play is titled Detroit and how it relates especially to Sharon and Kenny. You are spot on with your comment about how if ever there was a couple that needed a rebuild or a new start it would be Sharon and Kenny. They are so far gone with their abuse of drugs and alcohol that they are a far cry from every recovering from their past destructive decisions. Just as Detroit has become. It is a city that is so riddled with crime and shadowed with its reputation that it is very unlikely that it will ever be restored to its former glory.
ReplyDeleteHi Garrett!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you explained the reason behind the tittle. I agree with you one hundred percent. But I really liked that you pointed out an overall motif in the play: rebuilding. I think this is such a strong theme throughout the play. Kenny and Sharon (If those are their real names) are fresh out of rehab and are "rebuilding their lives" as the play goes on. Mary and Ben are trying to build up their lives as well. They are set back when Ben looses his job, but he "rebuilds" momentum by starting a business. All throughout the show, characters can be seen doing physical building as well. The porch is being built, the sliding door is fixed. As well as building, I think there is also an overall motif of destruction. As much as things are being built, there is a constant battle to over come the destruction. The lawn chairs break, the car breaks down, and at the end the house burns down. All the characters, except Sharon get hurt. The characters getting hurt could perhaps be a form of destruction. There are more parts of the story that appear to include themes of destruction and rebuilding, but you get the idea. Again, I thought it was awesome that you included an overall motif in your post. Nice job!
I totally agree that Detroit is about the characters as opposed to the city. It is obvious that Sharron and Kenny have fallen upon hard times, like the city itself. It is sad that people are so desperate that they can only find a way to make a life is to try to forget their old life and start a new one by lying about it. It’s horrible that we, as a society, have allowed great cities, or fellow human beings, has turned our backs to those are truly in need.
ReplyDeleteI had the hardest time figuring out why Detroit was called Detroit. And your post helped make so much sense of it. Comparing Kenny and Sharon themselves to the city of Detroit, rather than comparing the entire city, neighborhood, and situation to the city of Detroit. Also, I love the motif of rebuilding. It even makes so much sense with all the focus that the script had on houses, especially old homes that need a little extra attention.
ReplyDeleteI love the parallel that you drew between the city and the characters. My favorite aspect of this metaphor is when you mentioned that they were in a stasis. The idea that they need help to get out of the way their lives are now is accurate not only to the story but also the city of Detroit.
ReplyDelete