Discussion Of A Contemporary Play By An Asian Or Asian-American Playwright - Essay Example

? Discussion of a contemporary play by an Asian or Asian-American playwright The paper consists of a discussion of a contemporary play by an Asian or Asian-American playwright Gao Xingjian is a famous Nobel laureate who wrote outstanding plays and revolutionized Chinese literature. I would like to discuss Xingjian's play 'The Bus Stop' in my paper today. All the works produced by Xingjian provide a frightening challenge. His work is complex and those of his works which have been translated are also difficult to comprehend to for a person who has knowledge about the postmodern experimentalism prevailing in the west. His all works are a depiction of the Chinese culture, religion and the socio economic state of the society. His work is a pure representation of the international influence on culture and how it challenges the reader, actor, producer etc. across the border. The thing that differs Xingjian's play from the rest is the strong plot and unique features embellished. His work has been performed globally and provides the viewer with an engaging and enthralling experience that has a profound impact on them for a very long period of time. Xingjian is a brilliant playwright who contains a sarcastic and a very difficult tone, his work is a great amalgamation of criticism and playfulness. It is very astonishing that the work of Xingjian is discredited in China and is applauded throughout the work for its uniqueness. (Tam, 2001) The Bus Stop is Xingjian's second play that was written in 1983. This play was initially compared 'Waiting for Godot' by Tam who believed that waiting or wasting of things is considered a part of scrutiny or not being capable of performing this task. This determines the actual reason why human beings existed. This play was considered as a dramatic review of the complex and investigational phase that took its existence during the period of post-Mao China. According to Tam this play is considered to be a milestone that leads to the modern era of Chinese theatre. This play was considered to be ideologically bent towards the not so modern critics that thought of to be a challenge to the social policies and the concept of realist drama. Some also believe that Xingjian's new form of theatre liberates the theatre from the persisting social and realist limitations of that period. The Bus Stops correlates to the Artaud's and Grotowski's philosophies of the simple theatre and the theatre performed for the poor relating to them whilebeing undoubtedly successful in maintaining the essence of the work. It is also believed that these plays were the real cause of the Cultural Revolution as it erupted a sad massacre in Chinese history. (Project Muse) Initially this play by Xingjian did not get a very positive response and was apparently shelved for a very long period of time. the reason behind this disregard was that it was said that this play has nonrealistic features. This play is considered to be deviating from the socialist realism that prevailed during that time, therefore was banned by the government. Thus this play was considered to be the representation of the political ambiguity, having no clearly defined role models, no pronouncement of the policies of that time, and an uncertain figurative depiction of the prevailing social structure in China. There are a total of eight characters utilized in the play, every pillar symbolizing the various constituents of the society of China. These characters belonged to different walks of life like the aged man, mom, the beautiful young lady, Ma who was the manager, a carpenter, a man with spectacles, a hasty young man and also a silent man. All the characters defined are optimistic for a positive future ahead, which is only possible and realized once they start moving forward and taking their step ahead in the city. Moreover their mode of transportation is a common public bus that constantly passes without a pause. This bus has to take them to their respective destinations, b ut is taking a lot of time and they have to spend it at a local bus stop. (Xingjian, 2000) The play changes its course when a single character, the man who was silently observing, takes an initiate, decides to stop waiting and starts to walk in the town. The remaining characters keep on waiting at the bus stop, those passengers who remain there pass their time y whining about the social ills prevailing in their society and how on an individual level they have failed to achieve success. Just because they did not have the courage to be decisive and take an initiate they were content with waiting irrespective of how long it might take. With the passage of time the characters settle their personal grudges and differences, and decide to follow the pathway of the Silent man and eventually walk with each other in the city. This play was an indirect call by Xingjian to enlighten the people and awake them from their sleep. It was written as a catalyst to the cultural revelation but was not accepted by the government and hence was put a ban on. Pushing them to take charge of their society and unite collectively on a single platform burying all the disputes and becoming united so that the future becomes optimistic. He also preached a very important message through this play that all work requires effort and nothing can be achieved by siting doing nothing. If one continues to wait for a change or reform then it might just take years to come but if struggle is done and initiates are taken then nothing can come between peace, sustainability and progress. He also depicted the power of unity and one should consolidate and work together for better outcome which in some way preached the concept of a united nation. Thus in simpler words this play provided an insight to the people convincing them to struggle for their rights to bring about a positive change. This work is also a narrative of the local people having everyday issues and small desires. The characters shown in the play are very different from one another having entirely different personality traits and priorities which depicts that every human has their own preferences ad a different motive in life. Like for the old man the chess man was reason to wait on the contrary the girl was waiting to go on a date. They also discuss the functioning of the system of the bus, the concept of supply and demand and also the notions of time. There is also a beautiful rhythm that is followed throughout the course of the play 'The Bus Stop' written by Xingjian; he succeeds in narrating the scenes in such a manner that it all amalgamates into one beautiful rhythm and flows graciously. He knew how to play with words and that can be seen during the entire play. Thus in a nutshell, the bus stop is a ravishing piece of contemporary Chinese literature that was not applauded for its brilliance in China but on the contrary was appreciated throughout the world. Xingjian took a very simple setting as a bus stop and composed it in such an artistic manner that it became relatable to the masses. The journey of the bus was a real life experience and the passengers were passing their time for their final destination. In the same way a human being comes to this world, performs various roles and then reaches his final destination that is the after world. During this journey a person encounters people of different kind having various personality traits like we saw in the bus stop but all with only one purpose that is to reach their destination. Another fruitful lesson that I learnt through this play was that one needs to put in effort and take an initiate in order to do something in life nothing comes our way so easily and only hard work, devotion, dedication and sincerity can pave ones way to success and result in benefits. This play has been appreciated throughout the world and has been performed at the best theatrical cinemas across the globe. Although many times it is difficult to bring about the essence that was depicted in Xingjian's play and the actors, directors, producers at times do not do justice in performing this play the way it has been written majorly because it is immensely difficult to bring about the difficult and the complex tone which has been used by Xingjian itself. (Saltz, NYtimes) WORKS CITED "Project MUSE - Soul of Chaos: Critical Perspectives on Gao Xingjian (review)." Project MUSE.  Tam, Kwok-kan. 2001. Soul of chaos: critical perspectives on Gao Xingjian. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press. SALTZ, RACHEL. "Theater Review - 'The Bus Stop' - Absurdity Reigns in Gao Xingjian’s Play at the Sanford Meisner Theater - NYTimes.com." Theater - The New York  Gao, Xingjian, and Mabel Lee. 2000. Soul mountain = [Ling shan]. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. Read More