Q2. Explain the theme of ‘alienation’ and ‘mental torment’ in this play.
Ans.
We find several aspects of human emotion in this play ‘The Swan Song’.
Alienation and loneliness are also its themes. Apathy leads to alienation and
loneliness. We find apathetic behaviour of the woman toward Svietlovidoff, who
was not ready to marry him because he did not want to leave the stage. Acting
is the life force of any actor. So if acting is lost or left by any actor, his
or her life becomes miserable. A huge emotional void (vacuum/gap) will appear
in the personality of the actor. In this play, Svietlovidoff has become a
victim of the audience’s indifferent attitude. He says that the audience is always
selfish. They do not love the actor as a human being. They love them only for
their acting.
He
remembers the days when he was young and how the audience applauded him for his
great acting talent. They loved his performances but not him. His own worship of art
was an illusion. The lady whom he loved refused him to marry. She wanted him to
quit the stage. He also realises the limitation of age. In his old age, he has
no one who would take care of him.
He could not make a family because he had an obsession with
acting. But at the fag end of his life, he becomes a victim of loneliness and alienation.
He weeps and cries in front of Nikita. But Nikita encourages him by saying that
he is a genius and has the power to perform well. Then he performs a few lines
from Shakespeare’s play, first from King Lear and then from Othello. At last,
he concludes that old age is no hurdle if a man is a genius and has a talent.
Thus the one-act play highlights the theme of alienation and
loneliness and ends up on the positive note that old age is no hurdle in life if
the person is talented and a genius. Alienation and loneliness are just states
of mind. One can replace them by creating positivity and by making oneself busy
in life. (344 words)
No comments:
Post a Comment