Vivian

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English

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Apr 3, 2024

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The Play Wit 1. What does Vivian's opening soliloquy tell us about her as a person and as a teacher? Is she a professor you would like to have yourself? Vivian’s open soliloquy shows us that she is sarcastic and straight to the point. I would not mind having her as a professor since I too am a straight to the point person. 2. In her first monologue, Vivian says that, in the play to come, irony "is a literary device that will necessarily be deployed to great effect.” What is irony? What aspects of the play would you call ironic? Irony is the literacy device to portray humor. The irony being deployed to great effect is itself ironic, as she is a scholar who is now a subject of study. Metafiction is a literary device used to self-consciously and systematically draw attention to a work's status as an artifact. One way to accomplish this is for a character to acknowledge they are a character. On multiple occasions Vivian pointedly acknowledges that she is within a play. She tells the audience her motivation, reasoning, and future events. She also has minor control over the order in which they proceed. 3. What is the effect of her directness? How does this make us feel for the character? I just think she is straight to the point. If the medical professionals treated me the way they were treating her I would be sarcastic as well. She just found out that she has cancer, I’m sure she is overwhelmed. Maybe she is trying to make light of a dark situation. I feel sad for her. She is alone and hasn’t come into contact with someone who shows that they care. An example of foreshadowing is when Vivian says, "I'm waiting for the moment when someone asks me this question and I'll be dead." Foreshadowing is a hint of events to come, usually a small action that later is replicated on a grander scale. (To be clear, the diagnosis at the beginning of the film was also a clear example of foreshadowing for anyone in the medical profession.) Anton Checkov argued that everything in a play should be necessary, so therefore everything becomes foreshadowing. "One must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn't going to go off. It's wrong to make promises you don't mean to keep." Most films do not follow this literally, but if something is brought into the camera's focus (and its not product placement) then it will be significant to the plot later. In most films,

The Play Wit this foreshadowing is done in threes: something is shown to the audience (planting), later shown again to remind the audience (reinforcement), and then it becomes important to the story (payoff). 4. What is the question she is repeatedly asked, and who is the last one to ask her? Vivian is repeatedly asked “How are you feeling?” The last person to ask her this question is her doctor, Dr. Jason Posner. The Lesson in Empathy: A repeating message within the play and film is the confusion, humiliation, and plain awkwardness of the modern medical system. The patient receives animosity for medical professional's inconveniences for which she has no control. She is asked questions that seem absurd. She is treated as an object with little or no freedom over the course of her treatment. etc 5. Does this seem representative of the actual practice or is this exaggerated for effect? Briefly Explain. Open ended questions are best in my opinion to allow someone to further explain their answer. I feel medical professionals ask certain questions for a reason, however one question that was asked by Susie “What is the trouble, sweetheart?” although I’m sure Susie didn’t mean anything by her question, this can be an insult to someone, especially someone dying. These medical professionals show lack of empathy towards her and I feel that is still a common issue within the medical field. 6. Does this reveal a reality that many people believe exists and felt they have experienced? Briefly Explain I do feel this reveals reality to a certain extent. As a nurse we have questionnaires we ask the patients, although some may find them absurd, they are for a reason. However, I would not ask an obvious question such as “How are you feeling?” when my patient is very sick, vomiting. Sometimes in the medical field it’s about common sense. Main characters: When discussing characters, one difference between film and television is that the characters in film tend to be more complex. The main reason for this is a film is usually a complete work where individual episodes are only a small portion of the larger work which is usually never completed. We, the audience, expect the main characters to develop in a film. In a television

The Play Wit show, we usually want them to stay close to the same or at least change slowly. Eileen Atkins as Evelyn Ashford, Ph.D. -- Vivian's former mentor 7. After a brutal critique of her paper, Professor Ashford gives Vivian some advice when Vivian remarks that its a metaphysical conceit. What is the advice? Would Vivian give this advice to one of her students? Does Vivian follow the advice? Dr. Ashford wants Vivian to get out of the library and books and have real life experiences to further her knowledge. Vivian does not follow Dr. Ashfords advice. Instead she goes to the library. I do not think that Vivian would give the same advice to her students because Vivian was taught from a young age to read and learn from studying, not from life experiences. 8. Professor Ashford calls The Runaway Bunny "a little allegory of the soul”. What does she mean by this? What does Professor Ashford perceive in The Runaway Bunny that is important? Why does Professor Ashford say "And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” as she leaves? “A little allegory of the soul.” “Wherever it hides God will find it.” A hidden message. I think Professor Ashford is saying no matter what happens, she will not be alone. “Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” I think she is providing Vivian with comfort. Telling her it’s ok to let go now. Peaceful rest awaits her. 9. Why do you think she picked this for her grandchild? Why do you think the playwright picked this book? I think she picked “The Runaway Bunny” for her grandchild to know he is loved and never alone. Wherever he goes in life, she will follow. I think the playwright picked this book because Vivian needed a peaceful end and the Runaway Bunny precisely provided that. 10. What archetype is Professor Ashford? Professor Ashford is a mentor archetype. The mentor serves as a guide, advisor, and teacher. Professor Ashford represent Vivian’s higher self. Harold Pinter as Mr. Bearing -- Vivian's father 12. What does Mr. Bearing instruct Vivian as a young girl to do?

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The Play Wit Mr. Bearing instructed Vivian to read more. 13. How would you describe their relationship? Mr. Bearing appeared to want to push Vivian to educate herself. He knew by encouraging her to read more, she would be successful. 14. What archetype is Mr. Bearing? What actions support this? Mr. Bearing is a pusher, motivator. He pushed Vivian to educate herself more. Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Harvey Kelekian -- the head physician The opening scene is beautifully set with alternate shots focused on the faces of Vivian and then Dr Kelekian as Dr Kelekian explains the diagnosis and treatment. Notice that Vivian is looking up slightly with a dark background while Dr Kelekian is looking down with a bright background. 15. How does this establish the relationship between Vivian and Dr Kelekian? I think the opening scene was setting the tone that Dr. Kelekian is now in charge over her treatment. The alternate shots were showing a woman who just found out that she had cancer. 16. How is Dr Kelekian's diction when describing the diagnosis and treatment another sign of their relationship? Dr. Kelekian’s choice of words were throughout and to the point. He is also has a dry personality like Vivian does, making their relationship unique and trusting. 17. Does Dr Kelekian believe this treatment will work? I believe Dr. Kelekian knows the treatment will not cure her. He states that the treatment will be “A significant contribution to our knowledge.” The treatment is a study to further their knowledge, not a cure. 18. What is Dr Kelekian's motivation for having Vivian continue the full dose? Dr. Kelenkian’s motivation for having Vivian continue the full dose was for research purposes. 19. In many ways, Dr Kelekian is a foil to Vivian. A foil character is a character with similar personality and motivations to the another character,

The Play Wit but respond differently to the events. How are they similar (ignore their relationship)? Dr. Kelekian and Vivian both have a dry personality. They both show strong and strict work ethics. I think this enhances their relationship and allows for a professional bond between them. 20. Does Dr Kelekian develop as a character? Does this make him a character the audience cannot relate to? I do not think he developed a character. 21. What archetype is Dr Kelekian? What actions support this? Dr. Kelekian is the ruler archetype. The ruler archetype is characterized by authority and the one who is taking control. Being as he is the head physician and taking control over Vivians study, he is the ruler archetype. Audra McDonald as Susie Monahan, R.N. -- the nurse Susie Monahan is clearly embodies the archetype of the nurturer. For many, this is synonymous with her occupation, nursing. The nurturer is often labeled the nurse with a disclaimer stating the individual does actually not have to be a nurse. 22. What does Susie Monahan do that makes her the nurturer? Susie shows Vivian that she cares about her. Susie also advocated for Vivian about lowering her chemotherapy dose because of the side effects Vivian was having. She is patient with Vivian as well. 23. Do you share this notion of a nurse as the nurturer? I have always been told that I am a caring nurse. I have patience and do my best to provide superior care to my patients, family, and friends. I have a passion for helping others. It is not a quality that is forced, it really comes natural and from the heart. 24. What would the characteristics of the nurse archetype be? The characteristics of the nurse archetype is a caregiver. Susie is compassionate and generous. The caregiver archetype embodies the qualities of a selfless provider who puts the needs of others above their own. Jonathan M. Woodward as Dr. Jason Posner -- the fellow

The Play Wit 25. In what important ways are Jason and Vivian alike? Do they ever recognize their basic similarities? What does Vivian learn about herself from watching and talking to Jason? What sort of influence do you think Vivian had on Jason when he was her student? Has his professional attitude to some degree been formed by hers? The important ways that Jason and Vivian are alike is that they are both highly intelligent, dedicated to work, and they both show no emotions. I think that Vivian was made aware of their similarities while she was in the hospital. She could see how consumed he was to his research. Vivian influenced Jason to be dedicated to his studies. 26. How would you describe Jason's relationship to Vivian? Does he see her purely as "research,” or as a vulnerable human being? How does he show his very genuine respect for her? I think he treats her as “research” and not a human being. On one of her examines he was speaking to the nurse about something that had nothing to do with Vivian. He was showing Vivian he had other things on his mind than her exam. He also forcefully pulls the covers off of her, in front of other students, without explaining to her what he was about to do. He seems arrogant to me. He did not show that he was genuine in my opinion. 27. To contrast, does he respect Dr. Kelekian who we have argued is similar in many ways to Vivian? There is no evidence of his respect towards Kelekian. I think that Jason thinks he knows everything which could be disrespectful to the head professor. 28. If we focused on Jason as the main character as far as plot structure is concerned, what problem does he have to solve or overcome? What does he have to learn? Jason needs to overcome his arrogance. It’s one thing to be intelligent but another to think you know everything. I find that he was more consumed in research than the actual care for Vivian. He needs to slow down, be patient, and have better bedside manners. 29. What archetype is Dr Jason Posner? What actions support this? Dr. Jason Posner is the Ruler in my opinion. He seeks to impose order upon the world. His arrogance shows that he wasn’t to be on top. This type of archetype seeks rigidity and responsibility to be in total control.

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The Play Wit Emma Thompson as Vivian Bearing, Ph.D. -- the one with cancer 30. Vivian is passionate about language: "It has always been my custom,” she remarks pointedly, "to treat words with respect.” How do her experiences in the hospital change her ideas about language--and about what language is and is not capable of expressing? When Vivian says, "My only defense is the acquisition of vocabulary,” (is she being straightforward or ironic?) I think her experience in the hospital changed how she felt about language because words are just words and actions speak louder than words. Empathy, care, love, these are characteristics that one shows not just speaks about. 31. After the classroom scene, Vivian tries to express her emotions: "I feel so much--what is the word? I look back, I see these scenes, and I . . . ”). How might Vivian complete the sentence, if she were being perfectly honest with herself? I think she felt empty and lonely. I think having those flashbacks made her come to realize she could have been a little more understanding and not so harsh. Maybe she wished she could have expressed her feelings more or shown her feelings rather than hiding them behind her dry tone. 33. What type of archetype is Vivian? What actions support this? Vivian is the sage archetype in my opinion. Her desire is to use intelligence and analysis to understand the world. Her role is to provide wisdom or counsel and help the hero. 34. What would the plot line for Vivian's character be? Vivian is a professor who became quickly diagnosed with cancer. She is then referred to Dr. Kelekian who offers her an aggressive form of chemotherapy. After warning Vivian about the severe side effects of treatment, she decides that at the very least, agreeing to the treatment will help make a "significant contribution" to cancer research. 35. What is the theme of the film if she is the main character? Even though she is dying from cancer, she will be remembered for her contributions.

Vivian

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