The Swan Song-Alienation-Mental Torment as a theme of The Swan Song

 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)

 

The Swan song-Os-Ans-Appropriateness of the title 'The Swan Song'

 C.    Answer in about 300 words each:

Q1. Discuss the appropriateness of the title ‘The Swan Song’.

Ans. The title of the play ‘The Swan Song’ is based on popular belief. It is believed that a swan sings a beautiful song before it dies. Here in this play, Svietlovidoff’s last performance on the stage becomes his swan song because it is his last performance. It is his beautiful performance like a swan song. He tells Nikita that the audience called his name sixteen times. They were mad in enthusiasm and joy. They had also brought garlands for him. But after the performance, he entered the dressing room, drank wine, and fell asleep there. When he woke up, he was alone there in the dark pit of the night. All the theatre crew including the audience had left for their home. No one woke him up to take him to his house.

Now he laments the apathy he received from his own fellows. Then he lands down into his memory lane and remembers how the audience was selfish. 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. Nikita becomes a medium for him to vent out his frustration. 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 his last performance and his reminiscences become Svietlovidoff’s swan song. Thus the title is quite appropriate. (318 words)

The Swan Song-Anton Chekhov-Questions-Answers-English for B. A. Classes-...