21 April 2012
The play was written by Welsh author Dylan Thomas in 1953 after the Second World War when the world witnessed shocking atrocities. A Welsh sleepy seaside town is Llareggub that lies in a 'tiny dingle' and is separate from the harsh realities of everyday life. Llareggub occupies a majestic enchantment and an old-fashioned quality that conjures up the very essence of its existence. The 'cobbled streets', are filled with 'the conversation of its local characters', who delightfully indulge in the festivity of local gossip, and its 'little fishing harbour' and 'It's several curious customs' symbolises 'that picturesque sense of the past'. The reader is introduced to the characters through their dreams of love: young girls that 'glide in their dreams' with 'rings and trousseaux', teasingly 'call the boys', that ' are dreaming wicked', the sensuous behaviour of men dreaming of 'Turkish girls'. Horizontal'. A mothers unconditional love 'giving the breast' to her 'bonny new baby' and the sound of 'love-sick pigeons mooning in bed', demonstrates that love is everywhere in Llareggub.
Initially Mr and Mrs Cherry Owen share a happy relationship; this is immediately signalled when the Cherry Owens 'laugh delightfully together', over the previous nights antics. In addition Mr Cherry Owen's state of mind demonstrates a humorous and almost childlike behaviour when he requests 'does anyone want to fight'. The couples reference to his drunken behaviour creates a feeling of merriment with each other and is 'danced on the table'; furthermore they inject passion into their relationship, as they portray characters that are known to be deeply in love; this is highlighted when Mrs Cherry Owen said 'you were my King Solomon Owen' and I was your Mrs Sheba'. Their love is reciprocated; this suggests that there is equal love between them.
The Cherry Owens live in the humorously named 'Donkey Street' that reflects their sense of humour, as this is highlighted by the name of their street in which they live. In their relationship they are inseparable as this suggests that they are close to one another; this is shown by 'Donkey street room' ( one room), which contains : 'bedroom, parlour, kitchen and scullery'. Furthermore their love for each other is very warm and strong, as they 'sit down to last night's supper', as it is shown in the food they eat, which is highlighted by 'onions boiled in overcoats' and 'broth of spuds'. Mr and Mrs Owen seem to have a good love, which suggests that they are happy and content in their relationship.
Mr and Mrs Pugh are the antithesis of the Cherry Owens, as they share an unhappy relationship; this is shown by means of sarcasm for each other, which is highlighted when he say to his wife, 'pigs can't read, my dear' and she replies, 'I know one that can'. In addition Mr Pugh is resentful to his wife because of her bitterness and domineering behaviour towards him. This is demonstrated when he delivers her tea and says, 'here is your arsenic, dear' as she replies, 'too much sugar'. Furthermore Mr Pugh is secretive as this suggests that they do not have a trusting and open relationship; this is illustrated by; as he 'whispers on the stairs'. Furthermore their love is not wholesome and contains a sense of insensitivity.
A school house is where Mr and Mrs Pugh reside; this indicates an environment of authority and dictation and is signalled when Mrs Pugh says, 'has Mr Jenkins said his poetry?' even though Mr Pugh is a teacher. Where they eat seems a very depressing , dismal atmosphere; this is highlighted by a 'dining room in a vault', which suggests that it is almost like a prison, as though it has captured Mr Pugh's innermost thoughts; this is demonstrated when Mr Pugh , 'poisons her with his eye'. Their love is life-less and stale, that is signalled by the food they eat: ' cold grey cottage pie' and clouded pea soup' that creates a feeling of an in curable infection. The Pugh's are an example of bad love, which suggests that there is no equality, communication and compassion in their relationship.
Polly Garter portrays a naivety and sincere love towards her relationships between her 'men in passing', which is highlighted by ' they do as they please' that 'of Tom, Dick and Harry'. In addition she compares her relationships to that of Willy Wee; this is signalled when it says 'when I'm by their side' she thinks 'of little Willy Wee'. Further, the town's folk gossip maliciously about her affairs with other men, as this is signalled by the words of Mrs Pugh as she says, 'He is going to arrest Polly Garter', 'for having babies' and other voices silently say, 'hush, it's Polly Garter'. Furthermore her love that she gives so generously is misinterpreted as being the town's floozy.
An unconditional and longing love is that of Polly Garter. In addition her motherly love for her babies, is demonstrated when 'giving the breast'. Further, she only shares her home with her babies, which is highlighted by 'only washing and babies'. Polly is not married, as this is signalled by the fathers that live' over the hills and far away'. She only has ever truly loved one man and that is Willy Wee, this is highlighted when she says 'I'll never have such loving again'. Furthermore she will never be with her true love, which is signalled by 'Willy Wee drowned and died'. Her love is true and immeasurable, as this suggests that she has feelings that create an ever-lasting bond between her babies and Willy Wee.
Love can come in many forms and touch the hearts of all of us in many ways. The love that the Cherry Owens portrays, is that of good love, which creates that needy feeling for compassion and contentment; this is filled with humour, joy and understanding that gives everlasting fulfilment. The bad love that the Pugh's hold, doesn't grow, instead it withers and dies; this contains negativity, resentment, hatred and bitterness. The men of Polly Garter only contain lust, which is a misconception of the true meaning of love; when we are tricked into believing the worthless jewel is valuable. An unconditional love that Polly Garter embraces, is indestructible and everlasting; this holds no boundaries and questions. In addition the love that Polly Garter also endures is grief for Willy Wee, which we can all identify with; the longing to reunite with someone we love. Love is everywhere and in everyone, as this is shown through the eyes of Llareggub. ~By MICHAELA Book/play written by Dylan Thomas
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