Lost In Yonkers Character Analysis

In Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers, we get to know the extended family of two young boys, Jay and Arty, who are sent to spend a year with their grandmother while there father earns back the money he owes to a loan shark. Although at first glance Jay and Arty appear to be the main characters, upon closer investigation one will find that the main storyline revolves around those that they encounter. Through their perspective, the reader gains insight into many interesting characters and perhaps the most interesting, their aunt Bella. Bella is first introduced to the audience in a peculiar way. Upon arriving at their grandmother’s house, Jay and Arty’s father sternly reminds them not to make fun of their Aunt Bella. We soon see through both Bella’s …show more content…
Similarly, the Bella in the play displays the some of the same moments of resilience and thought. The difference being, that Ruehl puts together a far more dynamic performance that allows one not only to empathize with Bella more, but allows for a deeper understanding of her personality and shows the tremendous growth of the character. Bella comes off as a more thoughtful and dynamic character with very complex emotion. Beside the portrayal, the additional scenes and alternate ending also give far more insight into the kind of person she is. She could hardly contain her excitement as she approached Johnny, ready to tell him that she got the money they need to start their lives together. Before she can, Johnny interrupts and declares that he cannot run away with her. Bella in the most mature fashion, rather than exploding in disappointment as she did earlier with the ice cream, holds and comforts Johnny as he cries. This transformation and growth in her character is only amplified by the ending. In the play, Grandma and Bella continue to live together as they had before Jay and Arty came. In the movie, Bella proves that she is not the immature child everyone sees her as and she leaves. She stands up to her mother and ends up in Florida. In their argument, both in the play and the movie, Grandma proclaimed that Bella is incapable of taking care of herself. Only in the