Analysis of Crossing Delancey and Leaving Home - Essay Example

Analysis of “Crossing Delancey” and “Leaving Home” Analyzing the dramatic structure of dramatic works particularly plays and films is essential in understanding the theme and ideas that a story conveys through an examination of its plot composition. Aside from the major topic of the story, critics also review other factors of the dramatic structure such as the exposition or introduction, dramatic strategies, climax or the turning point of the action, and the choices that each main character decide on throughout the course of the play (Baker 58). In this paper, two notable plays will be carefully analyzed namely “Crossing Delancey” by Susan Sandler and “Leaving Home” by David French. Playright Susan Sandler’s “Crossing Delancey” is a romantic comedy set in New York City in the 1980’s focusing on the travails of a modern Jewish woman, Isabella “Izzy” Grossman, who is trapped between the strong pull of religion and traditionalism and the promise of the contemporary literary world where she currently belongs. Placed right inside the implicated mind of Izzy, “Crossing Delancy” conveys the themes of conventionality, ambition and modernity, and people’s inclination to judgment. Bubbie portrays the character of a person which is deeply traditional, one who can maintain the aspects of conventionality in her way of life even when the world has already pushed through modernity. The strong personality of Izzy’s grandmother that is fueled by her beliefs makes the reader understand that values is deeply rooted and the choices one make in his life all depends on what he believes in. On the other hand, Izzy’s modern lifestyle and her ambition to be successful and upgrade her standard of living to be comparable with that of the literati society have diluted the ideals imprinted to her by the family’s Jewish traditions. Although old customs may still have a soft influence on her, it is undoubtedly assumed that the protagonist presents an example of the modern woman, one with clear goals and objectives in terms of career, a persona full of hopes and expectation, yet reluctant in appreciating reality and dream. Lastly, the story also shows the common inclination of people to judge another person superficially, making conclusions on his character without personally knowing him first. Izzy realized this later in the story, that true character is important than exterior attributes (Suchyta). The exposition of “Crossing Delancey” reveals the 30-something Izzy enjoying her job as a bookstore manager, rubbing elbows with the literati crowd, sophisticated authors and eccentric customers, while eyeing a small-time author who was featured in her bookshop. Incidentally, her Old World grandmother, Bubbie, is not keen on her granddaughter being single at such age, insisting that as per Jewish traditions, women in their late 20’s or early 30’s are expected to be married and establish her own family. And so, Bubbie, with the help of a matchmaker, paired the protagonist with Sam, a young Jewish pickle merchant from their neighborhood (Sandler 4-13). The initial reaction of Izzy to the notion of matchmaking added her disgust with the man her grandmother set up for her. She was too busy fantasizing and daydreaming about the product of upscale New York parvenu society, Tyler, to be pleased about dating the fine pickle merchant, Sam. The problem is, Tyler is oblivious to the romantic attempts of Izzy to connect with him. Although the author has been visiting the bookstore numerous times, he seems to be more engulfed with himself and the sales of his new book. Consequently, Sam is a quiet, earnest and stable man that Izzy dismisses for anything beyond friendship right before she met him. Because of this initial biased impression, Sandler was able to combine the dramatic strategies of wit, annoyance, romance, and elucidation as Izzy engages in several dates with the two men (Sandler 21-50). As the dates went on, Izzy was able to discover the true characters of both men and how she can accept those traits. She noticed that the initial qualities that she saw with Tyler and Sam were only shallow representations of what she believes the men possess, realizing along the way the better man for him. Izzy become conscious of Sam’s real love for her, his eagerness to prove his intentions and his strong interest in literature. The climax of the story was revealed when the protagonist was finally able to decide on what to choose: an exhilarating life with the New York literati, or settling for a steady life with a simple man? The Delancey Street of Izzy’s grandmother’s traditional neighborhood stood as a metaphorical representation of Izzy’s dilemma of crossing the street to the path of alluring uncertainty, or staying where everything is familiar. In the end, Izzy chose the reality of love, familiarity and tradition (Suchyta). Unlike the light comedy of “Crossing Delancey”, “Leaving Home” by renowned Canadian playright David French offers a more serious story and emotional family drama, with a twist of funny anecdotes from some of the characters. The story of “Leaving Home” revolves around the Mercer family, focusing on the father-son relationship of Jacob Mercer and his sons Ben and Bill, as well as the relationship of Jacob and his long-suffering wife, Mary. The main theme of fighting for identity amidst family troubles was deeply presented through the struggles in the Mercer’s family relationship. The complexity of the character of Jacob, a hard drinker laborer who enthuse rebellion in his sons, and the negative reception of his sons to their father’s contradicting personality has explicated the core of the central predicament (Ouzoinian). Minor topics of teen-age pregnancy, differences in religion and independence are also notable. The youngest son Bill Mercer, an easygoing seventeen year-old is set to marry his teenage girlfriend, Kathy, because he got her pregnant. The pressure of religion, family values and upholding the family name were the key factors in endorsing young, unprepared couples into marriage while ignoring entirely the reality and hardships of raising a family, as well as the responsibility and maturity that comes with it. In addition, the difference in religion of the engaged couple’s families, one Catholic, one Protestant, has supplied the initial conflict in the wedding preparations. Lastly, the story showed the eagerness of the oldest son, Ben Mercer, to leave their house and live independently. Although the decision has stemmed from the strained relationship of Ben and his father, the need for freedom was powerfully defended with the help of Mary Mercer’s opinion in the matter (Ouzoinian). The story was introduced through the dinner of the Mercer family on the night of the wedding rehearsals of Bill and Kathy. The family was busy sealing the plans for the wedding that will be happening the next day, securing all that was needed for the ceremony and celebration. However the troubles between the families of the groom and the bride served as a medium for revealing the true problems of the Mercer family (French 1-57). As a blue-collar drunkard, the patriarch Jacob is opinionated on a lot of things, often insisting perceptions and views in life which he thinks a better way to live one’s life. The way that Jacob chose to live his life and lead his family has been difficult for his wife Mary. Although she preferred to stay with her husband because she loves him, Mary is aware of how Jacob is pulling down their son’s dreams and futures into the depths of hopelessness and is secretly vying to offer her sons the courage to leave and find their own destinies (French 39-61). Moreover, the inspiration of rebellion that Jacob inculcates to his sons was gladly accepted by Bill, the younger one, but the older and more intellectual Ben has had enough of his father’s obscure humor. Ben despises the idea of being stuck in the same lifestyle that their father introduced to them, striving to create and uphold his own character untainted by misery and hate. Since he took the duty of providing food for his family after their father’s accident, Ben has developed a sense of responsibility and determination which are fueled by passion and ambition (Ouzoinian). Furthermore, Jacob’s close-minded attitude led him to decide that he will no longer attend the wedding rehearsal due to the family differences. In turn, Ben suddenly announced that he was leaving their home as well, and would rent a room at Bill’s new place. This surprising information has opened old pains and hatred that revolves around the family home through the years. The proclamation of Ben’s determined choice of exercising his independence was brought about by his need to find his true identity, the one that is not influenced by the incomprehensible ideals of his father. The dramatic strategies of the story were significantly maintained by the series of deeply-rooted conflicts between Ben and Jacob and between Jacob and Mary (French 42-69). The author used anger, pain, loss, love, closure and hope as vital emotions that will trigger association and understanding to the readers or viewers. The strong and brutal yet compassionate personality of Jacob was exposed later in the story as his true feelings about being in a new position of a worthless and jobless head of his family without friends who he can share his problems with has surfaced. The deep-seated differences between the family members of the Mercer household exploded as the pressure of the wedding preparations increased, until the core of the family gradually fell into chaos. The climax of “Leaving Home” commenced when Minnie, the mother of the bride, arrived at the wedding rehearsals and aired her uncertainties and reservations to the upcoming wedding. Stemming from the young age of the couple and their poor preparations for married life, Minnie made sure that all her qualms about the said event are known to all, citing the conflicts in their religions and faith as well as her disapproval to the Mercer family. At last, she disclosed her old romantic affiliation with Jacob, which seemed to outweigh all her other reasons for not liking Bill for Kathy (Ouzoinian). More so, it was revealed that Kathy has actually suffered a miscarriage and so the compelling reason to enter the sanctity of marriage was already eliminated. This surprise has created another difficult situation that needs to be decided on by Bill and Kathy. Without the pregnancy, the young couple is faced with choosing the reality of their immaturity and carries on with their lives separately, or chose to continue their initial plans to get married the next day. In the end, the main characters of the story chose to embrace independence and the creation of their own identities (French 76-89). Nevertheless, analyzing the story of plays and other dramatic works is critical in properly evaluating the theme and message which the author intended to convey to his audience. The significance of a story will be fully grasped by the reader when the dramatic structure such as the exposition, dramatic strategies and climax of the narrative. In “Crossing Clancey”, Sandler presents a romantic comedy that focuses on tradition, ambitions and love. As the protagonist ends her dilemma in choosing the right person for her, she was able to start a new life with a new love. On the other hand, French’s “Leaving Home” exemplified the need of man to conquer his identity and establish his independence amidst family troubles. Works Cited Baker, George, P. Dramatic Technique. Boston Houghton, Mifflin. 1919. n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. French, David. Leaving Home. Samuel French. 1972. Print. Ouzounian, Richard. “Leaving Home: A Review”. Variety. 11 May 2007. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. Sandler, Susan. Crossing Delancey. Samuel French. 2011. Print. Suchyta, Sue. “Guild Opens Season with Romantic ‘Crossing Delancey’.” Times-Herald Newspapers. 18 Sep. 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. Read More