Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Translations: quotation analysis
Choose a memorable quotation from the play and explain its significance, especially regarding how it develops ideas related to postcolonialism. Do not write about a quotation that has already been posted unless you have something different to say about it! Due by Monday, March 7th.
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"I am a barbarian in this place because I am not understood by anyone."
ReplyDeleteJimmy- Act Three
In my opinion, this quote perfectly represents post-colonialism. There's this idea of different perspectives, prejudice, and barriers between people due to different languages or cultures. There's also this idea of one person (or people) considered inferior because it's not understood by the majority, which is a major issue in all of the post-colonial works we've studied this year (e.g TGoST Sophie Mol > Estha and Rahel, because she's English)
As far as the play's concerned, this quote goes far beyond Jimmy being misunderstood by the rest of the characters. I believe that it represents the major problematic element in "Translations". From the very beginning, the characters not being able to understand each other foreshadows an inevitable downfall. Because of this differences, this gap and the prejudices each character suffers therefore creating a strong feeling of pathos. Yolland and Maire's hamartia wouldn't be one if it wasn't for the hierearchy established between the two cultures. Therefore, the unability of the characters to understand each other is what triggers the action in the play.
"I'll see you yesterday" - Maire, p. 77
ReplyDeleteI chose to write about this quote because of its multiple possible interpretations : on the one hand, it is comical because it doesn"t mean anything. Considering the way it is played, it could be a moment of general appeasement. however the other interpretation is terrible and rich. It shows the inability of characters to communicate and undersatnd each other, which weighs them down throughout the whole play. It is also a foreseing of the English domination, in which the English won't learn to speak Irish or even consider trying to understand the Irish people, the cause of Ireland's downfall.
This quote is the beginning of the tragic ending of the play in which characters are missing, and Ireland is falling down : yesterday, ireland was still standing tall, but today, the characters are conidering learning how to speak English. The only moment when they could see Ireland, the real Ireland, was yesterday, and, it seems, will never happen again.
Moreover, this quote can be linked to the final word of The God of Small Things : "Tomorrow" : a sign of hope, which, we know, didn't succeed.
“it is not the literal past, the ‘facts’ of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language. […] we must never cease renewing those images; because once we do, we fossilise.” (Hugh – Act 3 p.88)
ReplyDeleteThis quote explores major postcolonial themes: language, history, perspective, and change. The main idea developed here is that the interpretation of events is sometimes more important than the events themselves. This recalls to the idea of perspective also developed in TGOST (difference between the facts of history and the interpreted stories which are sometimes fiction being far from the truth). Friel seems to tell us that views and ideas about the past need to change overtime in order to be relevant to the society in which they are held. If we are willing to stick to the past without letting our views about it evolve “we fossilise” making it impossible for us to participate in the present (a situation which is embodied by Jimmy Jack who is stuck in the past and therefore set in the margin of the Irish society because he lives in his imagination) and thus cannot create a future (such as Manus refusing to adapt through Anglicization).
The author’s spokesperson for this particular idea in the play would be Hugh; by the end of ‘Translations’ he is aware of the necessity for change. He realizes that as rich and ostentatious as the Gaelic language is it fails to advance their society and thus the Gaelic civilization has to give way to a modern English civilization. By accepting to teach English Hugh seems to embrace his hybridity and this new hybrid Ireland especially through his eagerness to learn the new place names. Throughout this play Hugh shifts from being an Irish culture lover to a colonial hybrid, one with the same identity conflicts as the family’s characters in TGOST notably Chacko.
We must learn where we live. We must learn to make them our own. We must make them our new home. Hugh p.88
ReplyDeleteThis quote perfectly illustrates the eviction of the Irish people and culture who are abandoning the fight and resign themselves to accept the English rule and language as the rightful one they should learn to make theirs rather than keeping what is already theirs and fight for it. As Hugh represent the Irish patriarch, we are made to think that most of the Irish will do the same.
This idea of oppression and submission giving responsibilities to both sides is one of post-colonialism we find for instance in TGoST with the constant criticism of the Indians in addition to the one addressed to the English and their legacy. It also covers the themes from identity we should try to keep or accept to change, fight and rebellion or resignation against invaders, but also changes and hope of better times.
Furthermore, as it is a line in a play which is to be taken as a whole, it is interesting to notice that it is Hugh who is telling it. He was throughout the play always drunk, light in its words and comical but here the contrast with this heavy and resigned declaration makes it even more hurtful to the Irish culture and harmony and creates a mix of pity, despair and compassion in the audience. The sobriety contrasting with his teacher tone gives it greater gravity.
It is one of the turning point of the play, another bridge to victory crumbling.
"Even if I did speak Irish, I’d always be considered an outsider here, wouldn’t I? "
ReplyDeleteI chose to write about this quotation because usually the colonised must learn the language of their conqueror and by asking this Yolland makes it clear that he is willing to learn but that he is concerned about never being truly integrated. In my opinion this quotation denounces the process of cultural alienation which happened in the colonies. What is representative of postcolonialism in the quotation is the fact that language and identity are involved and these are two aspects which are challenged in postcolonial literature.
Being able to speak a language will not change anybody's cultural backgroung and won't be a passport to integrate a community. It can be related to Mammachi in TGOST , even though she speaks English , it will never make her British.
I believe that it announces the tragic end of the play , Yolland loves what Ireland has to offer and this is what is going to lead him to his and Ireland's downfall.
Moreover each nation has its own roots and postcolonial writing emphasis on the fact that the colonists forced the communities to forget about their own identity, language and culture in order to adopt the conqueror's ones. It found the fact that this time it was the colonist's own will to learn the colonised 's language very ironical and interesting.
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ReplyDelete« ‘The old language is a barrier to modern progress’ » -Maire, Act I (citing the Liberator)
ReplyDeleteThis quotation embodies the importance of language in postcolonialism. There is first this idea of shift that must be operated in order to adapt oneself in a place transformed by colonisation in its naming (the remaping of Irish towns in Translations), values, culture (for example the English language enables Rahel and Estha to disfrute properly of The Sound of Music, which they love)… Indeed, this shift is emphasized by the opposition between « old » and « modern ». Language is therefore a factor of the « modern progress » wich is, in fact, the time of postcolonisation. It is significant in the way that Maire is in this first Act foreshadowing that Irish is obstructing the path to modernization as the English and Owen will arrive to change the place’s names.
Moreover, the quotation shows the influence of a culture, said better, over the other, considered as inferior. Indeed, Maire’s perception of old aspects, traditions, history, is quite pessimistic as for her, the « old language », that is to say a part of her own identity, becomes « a barrier » to this adaptation. Maire flatters the English language which she sees as « progress » whereas she seems to despise her Irish language which keeps her apart from an evolving society.
"And the word exogamein means to marry outside the tribe. And you don't cross those borders casually - both sides get very angry"
ReplyDeleteIn this quote Jimmy Jack refers to the difficulty for two different cultures to get along. Obviously he mentions this in relation to the diffuculty for the mortal to interact with the immortal, but we understand that this relates to Yolland and Maire's relationship, and on a larger scale to the relationship between Ireland and Britain. Firstly, I think that he shows a hierachy. Indeed, he speaks of Gods, superior beings who can interfer, manipulate the mortal. This could be linked to the dominance of the British on the Irish.
Moreover "both sides get very angry" when one decides to marry outside of the tribe this reflects a misunderstanding of the other's culture because of a different language, different traditions, different histories... This reminds us of Maire and Yolland who's relationship is doomed ("see you yesterday"). There is a hint here that Yolland has been harmed in some way because he has crossed some borders.
This brings us to the theme of transgression. Yolland and Maire relationship is a way to rebell against the imperial society, to promote peacefull relationships between different cultures worldwide. In fact these characters are often associzted with travelling (USA, India). A parallel can be seen between them and Ammu and Velutha
"We must learn where we live. We must learn to make them our own. We must make them our new home. " Hugh P 88
ReplyDeleteIn this quotation, Hugh expresses the idea of adaptation . He thinks the Irish have to learn how to live with the British and that a balance in some way is possible to find . I think it is a very representative idea of the postcolonial literature. Here says that mixing different cultures is possible , and he implies that it might even be a good thing. This idea of hybridity is introduced here. There is also the idea of learning which makes me thinks of a "reborn". A "reborn" in the way that this culture that they thought complete and "achieved" can be changed , improved enriched by the events that occur and that may be "colonisation" can be seen as a way of enriching the culture , as learning new things, having a new vision rather than the death of the original culture. For me there is really the idea of something new appearing for than something old disappearing. More over I feel like Hugh is really the voice of reason in the play and that he really is a symbolic character. For me he is the voice of the author and like an "eye watching the situation from above" sees everything, understands everything, and regulates everything. He's the "master" and it's like his words were "God's words" for the other characters. So this quotation coming out of his mouth is even more important is the meaning it carries. The use of the verb "must" implies that more than an obligation : it's a duty. They have to learn how to adapt , and they have to learn to open their mind, just because it's their duty as human beings. Finally , I thinks this line really puts into light the cyclical aspect of life. Events happen and most of the time you can't do anything against it, so you have to adapt. Moreover everything is meant to die , or to change. I think this quote prepares the end of the play , and Hugh reciting Virgil's Aeneid as the final, expressing the inevitability of conquest and the cyclical aspect of life. Maybe this is the solution given by the author toward colonization but also as a universal solution : to accept change and to take the better of it without loosing values and principles.
"You can learn to decode us." (P. 48, Owen)
ReplyDeleteTo me, this quotation relates to History, origins/roots and language. As far as post colonialism is concerned, they are central issues on which the play focuses as well as all the other works we've studied. This quotation compares a civilization's culture to a sort of code or algorithm that is to be analyzed in order to be understood. Indeed, somebody or here a group of people cannot be changed in a day and strangers have to integrate themselves in the group by corresponding as much as it is possible to the characteristics of the culture. People have their own history, past and culture that make them who they are and how they behave. Therefore, their way of living has an explanation and a significance. Yet, colonialists tried to change and even eradicate locals' culture to convert them to another one that they certainly didn't relate to. It happened to be a real dilemma for some of the authors we've studied (Derek Walcott, Jackie Kay) as it is for the characters in the play ("endogamein" and "exogamein" issue in Jimmy's speech p. 90).
”Semper ― per omnia saecula. The Greeks called it aei. It's not a word I'd start with. It's a silly word, girl.” (Hugh - Act III, p.90).
ReplyDeleteThis quote embodies a whole aspect of post-colonial works: the idea of inevitable change. According to Hugh, “always” ― the word Maire is asking him to translate ― is meaningless and doesn't reflect any concrete reality: that's why the Master calls it a “silly word”, although he showed great respect for words in the previous scenes.
The centuries-old Irish culture and traditions seem to be stuck in the past, as Jimmy, Manus and Hugh are, and above all unable to fit the new world the 19th century inaugurates. This cultural identity will thus be deeply altered and eroded by the English invasion and translation campaign; nothing lasts forever, and even with men's will, progress (… always?) leads to some kind of forced change, or at least adaptation. The colonization waves, from the late 15th century to the early 20th, brought the local cultures, that many thought unalterable, to a radical end: the Conquistadors in Latin America, the French and British forces later in Africa, that most of our set poems depict, or even in Ireland or North-America... This idea of a continuously changing world echoes to me The God of Small Things, where we see the influence of the British colonization far after India's independence (Pappachi's moth on Rahel's heart), as well as the effects of globalization through the History House rebuilt in the God's Own Country Hotel, and the old traditional religious shows perverted for the Western tourists... Even if India had kept its very specific culture for millennia before colonization.
This mere sentence at the end of the play encapsulates thus a complete historical and philosophical message, as Hugh proved himself to be cultivated and quite smart, even if partly drunk : the final defeat of the Irish culture might be justified by this principle... But the English hegemony can't “always” be, and would so one day be challenged : that's what happened some 90 years later...
Hugh: "But remember that words are signals, counters. They are not immortal. And it can happen - to use an image you'll understand - it can happen that a civilisation can be imprisoned in a linguistic contour which no longer matches the landscape of fact."
ReplyDeleteI chose this quite because I believe it to be very representative of the entité play aswell as the synoptic topic, post-colonialism.
It shows how a language can appear to fit a population perfectly, everyone is able to express themselves how they like. However, with the arrival of colonisation and therefore general progress, comes new words and expressions for the indegenious population. The new science doesn't fit into their language, and so they are forced to learn the language of the coloniser. Their native language becomes old and just a memory, something they can't use anymore. This is a bug part of the play but also of post-colonialism as a whole.
Yolland : Something is being eroded.
ReplyDeleteOwen : Back to the romance again.
(Act Two, Scene One)
I chose this quote because I think it is representative of both Yolland and Owen at this point of the play. Yolland is more attached to the Irish culture than Owen, who is Irish himself, is.
This quote and those characters develop ideas linked to postcolonialism : Yolland, who is considered as a colonist, is an ambivalent character because he is attached to the Irish culture and aware that "something is being eroded". On the contrary, Owen is Irish but seems to be on the other side : he left Ireland and his family, and now he is part of the colonists, and moreover he doesn't care, or doesn't realize what they are doing. This quote shows the ambivalence of postcolonialism, the colonists aren't always the "bad guys", it is more complicated than that.
"indeed, Lieutenant. A rich language. A rich literature. You'll find,sir, that certain cultures expend on their vocabularies and syntax acquisitive energies and ostentations entirely lacking in their material lives. I suppose you could call us a spiritual people." Hugh, act II, scene 1
ReplyDeleteThis quotation is a direct opposition of the Irish culture and the English men. we can see this through the use of the pronouns "we" and "you" which put distance between the two people. At the same time Hugh claims the beauty and characteristics of the Irish identity by asserting that they are a "spiritual people". This quotation also explores the theme of language and how it relates to one's identity. Indeed Hugh describes to Yolland the importance of syntax and vocabularies, the wealth of his language, in the Irish people identity. I also like how this quotation denounces the colonization by emphasizing the nature of Irish people who prefer to "expend on their vocabulary and syntax" despite their lack of material confort. the Irish people, as well as all colonized people, did not need the colonizers to develop and live happily. Language and culture of a people are characteristics that define it and characterize it, therefore Hugh reclaims his own identity "spiritual people" in opposition to the brutal and 'powerful"aspect of the Englishmen.
"Yes, it is a rich language, Lieutenant, full of the mythologies of fantasy and hope and self-deception - a syntax opulent with tomorrows." -Hugh (Act II, Scene I, p.51)
ReplyDeleteThis quote explores the Irish language, which is a main feature of colonialism.
It is a very romantic way to see a language, it comes back to the origins, the legends that we hear of when they translate the place names into English. Hugh has a romantic view of its natal language, and talks about it in a very positive manner. Holland is pretty receptive to the beautifulness of the sounds and images of the Irish language. However, the use of 'self-deception' makes us think of a darker image, and forecasts maybe the end of the play: all the characters are deceived (Manus with Maire, Maire with Yolland, Owen with himself...).
Finally, the last word creates a link with "The God of Small Things", which brings out an hopeful and positive image of the future. Here, Hugh seems to think that Irish is the language of tomorrow, which is quite ironical since it tends to disappear through out the novel.
Therefore, this quote emphasizes the importance of language in the Irish people's identity, and the role it will play in the future. It creates a link between the past 'mythologies' and the future 'tomorrows'.
P. 35 Owen says about Yolland that "he is already a committed Hibernophile"
ReplyDeleteThis quote illustrates the post colonial theme of hybridity and by extension identity. Indeed Yolland says that he has fallen in love with every aspect of Ireland, which means his attachment goes much further than just language. We can see this throughout the entire book as he seems to be torn between both cultures and we can clearly see that he doesn't know were his loyalty stands. However this hybridity will eventually lead the character to his downfall thus letting the reading think that Friel does not see hybridity in a positive manner. Yolland's downfall not only supports the point of view that being bicultural can be seen as a betrayal of ones culture, but also that being bicultural doesn't only concern language but every aspect of a country.
Moreover, this quote might by ironical. Indeed we know that Owen at the beginning of the play is closer to the English. We can also consider him as a hybrid character. Therefore, is he mocking Yolland for being a "committed Hibernophile"? Act 2 greatly supports this idea because in this part of the play Owen, who tried to reject his Irish past, doesn't seem to understand Yolland's fascination for Ireland. The contrast between these two hybrid characters is a vivid illustration of post colonialism.
Manus-"What's "incorrect" about the place-names we have here ?"
ReplyDeleteOwen-"Nothing at all. They're just going to be standardised"
For me, this quotation is important in Translations, as it shows one important poscolonial feature which is alienation.
Indeed, Manus doesn't understand why the English would change the place-names that all have a story, for others which does not.
What Owen answers, and the word "standardised" here has a striking effect, as it means that the living standard is the English one, and that no other exists and therefore, must be erased. We have here the doubts of a nation against the will of another to make a country it's own, and I think that it is a very important idea of the play, that the colonists does not want 2 cultures in their colonized land, but wants to "standardise" it at their image.
It is also a turning point of the play in the relation between Manus and Owen, as Manus begin to feeled deceived by it's own brother, who is working for the colonialists.
I chose the following quote from act 2 scene 1 (page53)
ReplyDeleteYelland : " Each name a perfect equation with its roots.
Owen: "A perfect congruence with its reality"
This quote is very important on several points. First of all, it first contrasts with Owen's speech about Tombair Vree, only a few pages before that. The "perfect congruence with its reality " can be opposed to the "trivial little story" he was talking about. It shows how colonialism changes people's vision of life and their vision of history. It is only after having lost those little stories that, all together, shape Ireland's culture that they are able to realise how precious they were; as if a shock was needed to notice the "Small things" lightening our lives.
In addition to that, the sentence "Each name[is] a perfect equation with its roots." highlights the fact that that the English, by changing and/or traducing the names of places are breaking the harmony that used to be there. The use of the word "equation" is also very rich in meaning. Indeed, in maths for example, an equation can not be changed. If a single number, letter or sign is changed, the entire result is altered. Through this metaphor, we understand that the colonialist by changing names do not only change their callings but also erase their "roots", and, gradually will change people's lives; people's "reality".
Finally, the repetition of the adjective "perfect" highlight the beauty of Owen's country that he slowly sees disappearing, hidden by everything the British soldiers brought with them.
"Maire : But we're always sniffing about for it, aren't we ? -- looking for disaster. The rents are going to go up again -- the harvest's going to be lost -- the herring have gone away for ever -- there's going to be evictions. Honest to God, some of you people aren't happy unless you're miserable and you'll not be content until you're dead !"
ReplyDeleteAct I Scene I p.18
This quote is interesting as, in addition to foreshadowing a tragic end for the play ("there's going to be evictions" is a line Owen says in the last scene), it shows the particularity of Maire at the beginning.
Alone against the world, she has a strong and rebellious opinion : in the play, she doesn't miss an occasion to argue with the other characters, just as in p.18. In this quote, Maire uses rhetoric devices to be convincing, such as enumerations and apostrophes, which also shows how active and energetic she really is.
The quote also shows that, by opposition to Bridget and her superstition, Maire is a character headed towards modernity, realism and who will not loose time over useless predictions.
However, it seems she will be wrong this time : there will be evictions and there will be a potato blight !
"I'll take that, it's only a catalogue of names"
ReplyDeleteOwen, act III, page 87.
I feel like this quote shows change in the play, in multiple ways. First we have Owen's change since the beginning of the play, where he thought his job very important and claimed it was a necessity to translate the Irish names into English, although here we see that his job was futile and useless through the use of the word "Only". Furthermore we have a change in the way that the importance of things changes during the play. First the English were interesting, progress was tempting, but now progress has become "only a catologue of names" according to the man who was willing to make the initial change. Things didn't go the way they were supposed to, and Owen illustrates this perfectly with this quote. What once seemed important and crucial to the British and the Irish, with Owen being Irish and the other characters willing to accept the progress, has become no more than another book on the dusty shelves of an old Irish hedge school.
Act Two, page 67
ReplyDelete“Maire: ‘Always’? What is that word – ‘always’? (…)
Yolland: ‘Always’? What is that word – ‘always’?”
What I find interesting about these quotes is firstly the fact that each character picks out the word ‘always’ in what the other person is saying – out of all the words they’ve each said, they’re the most interested in ‘always’. This shows that although they are each speaking different languages, they can pick out and single out particular sounds and words. The fact that they picked this one out however, isolates the word ‘always’ therefore putting emphasis on it, as a form of foreshadowing as well as emphasizing their love affair. The audience or reader can guess that things won’t end well for their couple – as he is a British soldier and she seems to be in a relationship with Manus – which is why this word is so poignant. There is also the fact that these two quotes can effectively portray the language barrier, as in both cases the character confused about the meaning of the word repeats: ‘what is this word – ‘always’?’
“We name a thing and - bang! it leaps into existence!” –Owen, act 2, scene 1.
ReplyDeleteThis quote from Owen illustrates very well the colonists’ mistake: they assume that changing the name of a town is an easy thing to do, and they minimize the impact of the change on the local population, expressively or by carelessness. Owen, who is a modernist, might make the same mistake here by assuming that naming a thing make that thing exist. This is described almost as if it was an insignificant detail here: “bang! it leaps into existence!’’, which is contradictory since we know how much importance the naming of things has. What is expressed here is both the will of modernity and change that is felt by the character of Owen, who does not wish to see Ireland stay the same and who is ready to evolve, and the sudden aspect of colonization that makes everything change quite quickly and brutally. This quotation is especially important because it shows the very brutal aspect of the change. The rapidity of the change and its brutality refer to some issues related to post colonialism such as the loss of culture and the loss of identity, issues that are essential in Brian Friel's play.
"To remember everything is a form of madness" (Act III, Hugh to Owen)
ReplyDeleteThis is in my opinion one of the key quotations of the play. It shows that the themes of history and memory are a central concern in the plot as well as post-colonial issues. It brings a new perspective to the narrow-minded view Owen has on the English invasion. Indeed, here Hugh encourages Owen to let go of the past, or at least to not remember everything about it. Holding on to Irish traditions and culture can be harmful and thus a form of insanity (hence the word "madness"). Hugh's view highlights the importance of forgiveness in order to build the future and make room for hybridity.
This view is quite unpopular amongst the other characters : they tend to hold on to their culture and past, and see the English culture as threatening - apart from Maire who thinks that learning the English language is a good thing (in Act I).
The importance of the past in post-colonial writing is undeniable, as people on whom a new culture and language is imposed on still have their native roots and thus struggle to forget their past. This quotation gives a different insight, since most people would support the idea that remembering the past is vital. It gives nuances to it : it is okay to remember some things, but not everything in order to be able to move on and accept change.
"I will provide you with the available words and the available grammar. But will that help you to interpret between privacies? I have no idea. But it's all we have. Ihave no idea at all." Hugh p90
ReplyDeleteWhat is interesting about this quote in my opinion is that here, when Owen tells Maire how and when he is going to teach her English, he describes the colonisation process using the metaphor of language, the colonists have the tools, the weapons to get the impression that they handle the land but there will always be imperfections and flaws that will keep the culture and the nation as authentic as they used to be.
"Owen: Can't you speak English before your man?
ReplyDeleteManus: Why?
Owen: Out of courtesy.
Manus: Doesn't he want to learn Irish? (To Yolland) Don't you want to learn Irish?" Page 42
This quote appears in the beginning of act two — before the dance and before the characters realize what is actually happening. Thus, Owen still sides with the English, not realizing what the consequences might be.
In this passage, Owen wants his brother, Manus, to adapt to the English (Yolland) "out of courtesy", even though they are here to anglicize Irish names and take what is Irish. Manus seems to have understood this, as he refuses to speak English to make Yolland comfortable. Manus refuses to be alienated in his own country.
This quote reminds me of a passage in The God of Small Things, when the entire family goes to Cochin Airport to greet Sophie Mol and Margaret Kochamma. Rahel is made to wear an ugly dress in which she is uncomfortable, and the twins are both forced to sing English songs and speak in English. Although in Translations Manus refuses to give in to his brother's request, in The God of Small Things the twins are successfully estranged in their own country to make outsiders feel "at home". Both of these passages treat the subject of language and alienation, which are capital themes in post-colonial literature.
'Owen : Easy, man, easy. Owen - Roland - what the hell. It's only a name. It's the same me, isn't it? Well, isn't it?'
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because I thought it was representative of the whole play. First of, it represents both the themes of language (translating) and postcolonialism. I really think this quote shows how the story evolves through the character of Owen, who is at this point of the story, questionning himself about the meaning of the job he came to do. This quote is also interesting because it enables the audience to think about Owen's double identity. Owen is half English, half Irish in this play and is the characters who represents hybridity the most. We also really get the feeling that naming and identity are closely linked. At the beginning of the play, Owen has no doubt his job benefits both the Irish because they need to modernize and open to the world and the English. What I really liked about this quotation was Owen's dialogue with himself. Owen was presented as a stable character, capable of betraying his own culture to do his job and help the English. However, in this quotation, he is hesitating about his own name's importance for the first time in the play. It also highlight the relation Manus has with Ireland which is totally different from Owen's one.
« To remember everything is a form of madness »
ReplyDeleteHugh ActIII
Hugh's last words to Owen, his favorite son. At this point in the play, Owen has truely regained his place beside his Irish family and friends. I this play, Hugh represents knowledge, he is the « giver of lessons » and I also believe him to be the voice of the author. This particular quote, I find is one of the deepest lessons given in this play and I think it is a very personal point of view of the author's. A this moment, Hugh has understood the iminent defeat of Irish as a language and encourages his friends and family to learn the new names of their homes, he puts this as a necessity for them.
This message is particularly charged with sense as far as the theme of post-colonialism is concerned. Friel urges the audience or reader to evolve with present times, the worst thing, or the « mad » thing would be to remain stuck in a dying past « remembering everything ». Indeed a loss of identity but one must not remain obsessed with the past. To add upon the significance of this quote, I think illustrates (or justifies) Brian Friel's position as an Irish play-wright, writing about Irish history in English. In order to maintain one's culture, one must evolve, « roll with the punches ». This message of hope seems to mean that langage will not be a barrier to Irish culture. If it has, Friel has taken a admirable leap across it.