Drama Class Discussion
Alexxine Marcelina Muir
Yesterday16 Oct at 0:55
1. I feel like the title of the play is Indecent because of the perspective of the American audience that ultimately determined the demise of The God Of Vengeance, had it not been for these perspectives Indecent wouldn't exist. Ultimately, indecency is what made the American's decide to cut important parts of The God Of Vengeance. Then that cutting of the important parts led to the cast and producers being arrested because of obscenity which is a synonym of indecent. I think this is why indecent is the name of the play because without the interpretation of The God of Vengeance as indecent, Vogel's work wouldn't need to exist. I believe Vogel's work does a fantastic job of displaying the controversy and also helping us understand the injustice that was done to the play when it was being performed on American soil. Vogel didn't leave any stone unturned and really made the dialogue understandable by the audience. The musical soundtrack also helped to set the mode of the part of the part we were diving into.
2. I think the reason why The God of Vengeance was perceived so differently in the United States is because of our inability to process things that aren't perceived as "normal". It took the U.S 109 years to legalize same sex marriage. The U.S fears things it can't process or understand because we are so close-minded as a nation. The U.S has always had differences with other cultures a prime example being Native Americans. Yes, I believe that mentality and culture still exists today because of all of the civil unrest that is being experienced today. The way America treated the Yiddish play is no different then the responses towards immigration and Native American reservations, since these things are different then our normal, a good majority of America have a problem with it. I think Europe might have had an easier time perceiving the play for what it was supposed to be because I think they valued what was being put in front of them. The let the work or art be the work of art and not become an example of life for them in Europe.
Ericka Salazar
Thursday15 Oct at 0:30
1. Our standards of decency are personal and influenced by many factors including religious, cultural, and family beliefs. In your opinion, why is the play called "indecent"? Does the play do a good job of capturing the complexity of the controversy around this play? Please explain (10pts)
The word Indecent means to not be conforming with generally accepted standards of behavior or propriety. I think the play is called “Indent” because those are the themes it portrays. The play had a lot of content that spoke about jews in America and lesbians. They did not accept these standards and the characters of the play were in poverty. Therefore, it makes sense that Paula Vogal decided to name the play “Indecent”. Yes, the play does a good job of capturing the complexity of the controversy around this play. It was actually quite interesting to watch a play about a play. The characters did a good job in staying in character and making sure the audience knew they were playing a play. The said phrases like, “this is my only opportunity to star in a play”. All while speaking about the social themes of the play. Like Jews in America.
2. The play "God of Vengeance" was an incredible success in Europe. Why do you think it was received so differently in the United States? Was it cultural differences? Do you think that difference in mentality and culture remains today? Please be specific. (10pts)
I definitely think that the reason the play “God of Vengeance” was received differently in the United States than Europe was because of cultural differences. Europe is a culture of god and ancient history, while America is more modern. God of Vengeance comes from the bible and Europe has a strong religion with the bible. The difference in mentality and culture does remain today. America has a contervacity of accepting different standards that may seem a little off for Europeans. In Europe, there are more biased standards that are almost forced to be followed and while in America it could feel the same there are a few communities that are more open minded.