Rose Kennedy once said, “Neither comprehension nor learning can take place in an atmosphere of anxiety” (“Atmosphere”). Within the vast world of the theatre, one will find a variety of different environments and atmospheres that play a significant role in the progression of the plot and development of the characters. The term environment can take on many different meanings in the theatre: physical landscape, interior surroundings, climate, socio-economic conditions, or family circumstances. Regardless of which meaning the term undertakes in a specific performance, the colossal impact of environment is an inescapable facet of the theatre. In “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen, it is the family circumstances that come to dominate that lives of the
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Early on in the play, it is revealed that Torvald became ill and did not have the money to pay for his treatment. As a result of this tragic circumstance, Torvald grew more and more anxious about his family’s financial circumstances; Torvald’s financial anxiety provides a clear example of the stressful effects of difficult family circumstances. In order to finance her husband’s treatment and keep her family alive, Nora decided to illegally forge her father’s signature to get the money that they needed (without telling her husband). As a result, she has spent the past couple years paying off the debt she owes and constantly worrying about money. Nora Helmer proves to be a strong example of the inescapable effects of rough family circumstances. In order to cope with these circumstances and keep her husband alive, Nora made a decision that will continue to haunt her throughout the rest of her life. Overall, “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen is a fascinating example of the vast effects of family circumstances in the world of the …show more content…
“The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov provides a glaring example of the unavoidable effects of the socio-economic environment. The plot is centered around the Ranevsky estate in a time of changing social/economic conditions. The class system in Russia is on the way out and serfs and peasants are starting to move upwards in society. After returning home from Paris, Madam Ranevsky learns that the family is in debt and their estate is up for auction. This change in Madame Ranevsky’s socio-economic environment directly produces feelings of distress and hopelessness in her daily life. On the contrary, Lopakhin, who had previously worked as a serf on the estate, indirectly takes on the benefits of his changing environment. As a result of the changing socio-economic conditions, Lopakhin experiences progression in society and decides to purchase the Ranevsky estate. Overall, in “The Cherry Orchard”, the inevitable changes in the social and economic environments provide a solid foundation for both progression (Lopakhin) and stagnation (Ranevsky) in the lives of the
Early on in the play, it is revealed that Torvald became ill and did not have the money to pay for his treatment. As a result of this tragic circumstance, Torvald grew more and more anxious about his family’s financial circumstances; Torvald’s financial anxiety provides a clear example of the stressful effects of difficult family circumstances. In order to finance her husband’s treatment and keep her family alive, Nora decided to illegally forge her father’s signature to get the money that they needed (without telling her husband). As a result, she has spent the past couple years paying off the debt she owes and constantly worrying about money. Nora Helmer proves to be a strong example of the inescapable effects of rough family circumstances. In order to cope with these circumstances and keep her husband alive, Nora made a decision that will continue to haunt her throughout the rest of her life. Overall, “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen is a fascinating example of the vast effects of family circumstances in the world of the …show more content…
“The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov provides a glaring example of the unavoidable effects of the socio-economic environment. The plot is centered around the Ranevsky estate in a time of changing social/economic conditions. The class system in Russia is on the way out and serfs and peasants are starting to move upwards in society. After returning home from Paris, Madam Ranevsky learns that the family is in debt and their estate is up for auction. This change in Madame Ranevsky’s socio-economic environment directly produces feelings of distress and hopelessness in her daily life. On the contrary, Lopakhin, who had previously worked as a serf on the estate, indirectly takes on the benefits of his changing environment. As a result of the changing socio-economic conditions, Lopakhin experiences progression in society and decides to purchase the Ranevsky estate. Overall, in “The Cherry Orchard”, the inevitable changes in the social and economic environments provide a solid foundation for both progression (Lopakhin) and stagnation (Ranevsky) in the lives of the