Act 2 Scene 1

Compare this New Year’s Eve to previous ones. How and why is it different? In what ways are the characters trying to make the best of things? What does this scene tell us about the themes of tradition and change.

In the play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, this New Year’s Eve is different from the previous years. Nancy, one of the tenants in Olive’s home has married another man and has left Olive with two cane-cutters. Another lady, Pearl, a friend of Olives, has large shoes to step into. However, despite the fact Olive has tried her hardest for things not to change from previous years, the absence of Nancy has a toll on Roo and Barney. The group at the near hour of midnight, would have gone out and enjoyed the start of the New Year, however Pearl is quite comfortable “…ensconced in a chair, busy with a piece of knitting…” (P39). Barney suggests going down to the beach, as Pearl is quite comfortable, Olive suggests having a quiet New Year’s Eve. The tradition in the boarding house is two couples living together, however this has changed since Pearl has arrived. She doesn't seem to understand the life and relationship Olive and the cane-cutters have. Change does not seem to agree with the small group and tradition is better. The group is attempting to make things work, Roo and Olive and playing cards and Pearl is doing what she likes best. Barney is restless and tries to make the best of things especially when Bubba visits, however to no avail. This New Year’s Eve in the boarding house is different as tradition has changed and the characters are not following the custom set down for the last sixteen years.

Week 3 HW

Write a paragraph in which you compare the attitudes of Pearl and Olive to relationships as seen during Act 1.Do you think the audience is positioned to agree with either character? If so, how is this achieved through the aesthetic features of the play?Make specific reference to the play and include two quotations, one within a sentence and one which is separate.

In the play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Pearl and Olive have very different attitudes towards relationships. Pearl is a very open person and tells the others exactly what she means. She is straight to the point and doesn’t leave any room for interpretation. This is shown through the talk Pearl and Barney had about children. After Barney explains to Pearl how he provides “maintenance” on his children, she says “D’you imagine that’s the only claim they’ve got on you?” (P32). Barney appalls Pearl, especially when he continues explaining how he has children across three states. However, as the conversation deepens, Pearl begins to understand Barney, but she is still not entirely sure he is the man for her. The audience is positioned to agree with Pearl through the use of language choices and sequencing. Sequencing is used to position the audience to agree with Pearl for planning on leaving the house after Barney got drunk, however, stays because Barney talks to her about a subject close to her heart: children. Pearl is an open character and through aesthetic features, the audience is positioned to agree with Pearl’s point of view. Olive, on the other hand, is a character where her values are questionable as her mood and responses to the other characters changes. Her relationship with the cane cutters goes back before the play begins and throughout the first Act, it is clear the year brightens for Olive when the cutters arrive. Olive has a relationship with one of the cutters, Roo. Her relationship with Roo is on a basis where he visits with his friend on the lay-off season. She has strong feelings for Roo however never talks to him about it. The dolls are a reminder of the love he gives to her and when he arrives, “…it all falls into place…” (P24). Throughout the time Roo and Barney have been staying with Olive, they have always had relationships, which are alien-like to Pearl. Olive is content with her life and the easy-going relationship she has with Roo. Through the use of silencing of the second female character, Nancy and Olive’s point of view on her relationship, the audience is positioned to agree with Olive. However, both characters have both good and bad traits, which position the audience to agree with both or neither character depending upon the situation.

Summer of the 17th Doll

Throughout the first scene in the play, modern realism is used to characterize this style of drama. The uses of colloquial language between the characters create a focus on everyday drama. The use of the words, whadya, yer, ‘em and ‘n’. The colloquial language was common for Australians in the 50’s. The play also uses the most common Australian stereotype where the g is left pit pm words ending in ing. The mundane setting of a common and small home, where the play is set, are common in modern realism. The use of characters, colloquial language and mundane setting are characteristic of modern realism in theatre.