discussion post on Drama

While I found all the plays we read this assignment to have their own merits, I believe I would select “Rodeo” by Jane Martin as my first prize pick. “Rodeo” does a fantastic job of criticizing the ridiculous lengths of capitalism in the United States. That’s not to say that capitalism doesn’t have benefits, but Martin’s central message in the play rings quite clear. If there is money to be made, businesses will find a way to monetize any activity to the point where it loses the meaning it once held. When Martin wrote, “There’s a bunch of assholes in this country sneak around until they see ya havin’ fun and then they buy the fun and start in sellin’ it,” it’s hard to imagine any other meaning for the monologue (“Rodeo”, 1248).

            I find this perspective particularly relatable in the present, which is why I would award this play first prize. While in this instance, the rodeo is the example, there’s a greater critique of our society running beneath that. There’s plenty of modern examples. Facebook monetizes our conversations and personal data. Film companies create entire universes of films that require viewers to continually give money to see the whole story. Video games tack on their own monetizations, often in the form of downloadable content or battle passes. Martin’s critique is painfully accurate. All of these examples do their best both to make the most money and suck the soul out of each activity.