Sunday In The Park With George Analysis - Essay Example

Introduction The song “Finishing the Hat” from the musical “Sunday in the Park with George” has several themes and layered meanings that are related to the musical. This particular song is not only able to provide several themes and universal meanings that are related to the moment that George is singing in. More importantly, this particular song is able to provide deeper meaning that links the rest of the musical together. The combination of universal themes that are a part of the song as well as the approach that is taken with the rest of the musical then provides a deeper meaning that is focused on the musical and the importance of the different themes. Importance of Finishing the Hat The particular song, “Finishing the Hat” was chosen because of the several meanings that it has throughout the song. The focus in this song is based on George and losing his loved one. When he approaches this, he calls it finishing the hat, which works as a metaphor to the incomplete piece that he is feeling at the moment. This universal theme of losing love is able to tie together to the rest of the emotions that George is feeling as well as the absence of his loved one at this particular moment. Even though this is the main theme of the song, there are other interpretations that can be added into this and which are noted from the lyrics as well as the musical techniques that are used through the piece. The “Finishing the Hat” song is not only interesting because of the main themes that George is singing about. There are several musical changes that are used throughout the piece to create different expressions. When listening to this piece, one is able to tie it into the rest of the musical, while allowing this particular theme to stand on its own. This combination of elements allows the piece to be one of the strongest in the musical and provides a deeper understanding to what is occurring in different parts of the song. This allows one to develop a specific relationship to George, the situation and what is occurring, specifically through the musical techniques. Purpose of Finishing the Hat The song “Finishing the Hat” is used as a pause in the main story line to express the emotions that are occurring through the plot line. The first way that this relates to the plot line is through the main theme used with “Sunday Park in the George.” This musical was known to be taken from the painting that was a part of the time frame of 1884 (see Appendix A). The artwork that was depicted during this time is one of the most renowned pieces that are from the different elements used. The musical conducted was based on the painter, George and his association with this art work. The context and background behind the piece then shows the concept of finishing the hat, not only in the metaphorical sense, but also in relating to the progression of the art work. The painting that is made is able to show a specific understanding of the time frame as well as the overall setting of the musical. These are able to work together to show the overall meaning of the story line. Not only is the story able to progress through the idea of making the hat through George as the painter, but also relates to the other plot lines that are intertwined in this musical. This is intertwined with the love story that is known as one of the main themes of the musical. Dot is known as George’s secret lover, even though she is with another man. At this point, he begins to notice that Dot is gone and that she is not coming back. The missing part of the hat is also representative of him missing Dot and his lament over her going away with another. This particular part of the plot is important as the story unfolds, specifically because Dot marries to another man and convinces George that they have a failed relationship. The song, with the intertwining of the love story, is then able to create a different meaning about the loss of love and leads into the next scenes were Dot decides to leave George. This song is able to tie together the different elements of the song for a deeper understanding of what is occurring with this piece. Even though this piece is able to further the story line on these levels, there are also some disconnections with the rest of the show. This particular song is known as an emotional response to the feelings that George feels toward dot and which he takes out in his painting. Specifically, George begins to notice his loneliness and the private world that he lives in, even though he is in love with dot. The beauty and sacrifice of art that George begins to feel at this point is the main response that he gives toward the making of the hat, specifically in which he chooses his painting over the girl that he secretly loves. However, this particular emotional response is one that doesn’t come back into the musical at other points and is instead defining only by the loss of Dot and George moving on to finish his painting. The emotional response that is at this point doesn’t fit into the rest of the musical, but is instead designed to stand out from the rest to recognize the subconscious level that George is working on. Lyrics `George` Mademoiselles... You end me, pal... Second bottle... Ah, she looks for me... Bonnet flapping... Yapping... Ruff!... Chicken... Pastry... Yes, she looks for me-good. Let her look for me to tell me why she left me- As I always knew she would. I had thought she understood. They have never understood, And no reason that they should. But if anybody could... Finishing the hat, How you have to finish the hat. How you watch the rest of the world From a window While you finish the hat. Mapping out a sky. What you feel like, planning a sky. What you feel when voices that come Through the window Go Until they distance and die, Until theres nothing but sky And how youre always turning back too late From the grass or the stick Or the dog or the light, How the kind of woman willing to waits Not the kind that you want to find waiting To return you to the night, Dizzy from the height, Coming from the hat, Studying the hat, Entering the world of the hat, Reaching through the world of the hat Like a window, Back to this one from that. Studying a face, Stepping back to look at a face Leaves a little space in the way like a window, But to see- Its the only way to see. And when the woman that you wanted goes, You can say to yourself, "Well, I give what I give." But the women who wont wait for you knows That, however you live, Theres a part of you always standing by, Mapping out the sky, Finishing a hat... Starting on a hat.. Finishing a hat... Look, I made a hat... Where there never was a hat Recorded at RCA’s Studio “A”, New York City on May 27 & 29, 1984 The lyrics that are written are designed not only to express George’s feelings, but also to move behind the canvas that he is on. George begins with the sayings about the hat and links this directly to the canvas that he is painting through saying words such as “Mademoiselle.” This continues as he says words such as “mapping out the sky,” all which combine to show how the hat is one that is a part of the tapestry. The underlying themes in the lyrics come from phrases such as “studying a face.” When looking at the lyrics like this, it can be seen that there is an underlying theme that links directly to Dot. One can then take the idea of finishing the hat, “where there never was a hat” to relate to Dot, whom he loves but that he was never able to be with. Rhyme Scheme and Melody The melody that is used through this particular song defines the several emotions that George is going through as he finishes the hat. The beginning of this starts with a speaking voice that is a part of the melody. George moves this into a patter type melody that moves between three notes as he describes how Dot has left him. The rhyme scheme that follows this is accented with the words “understood” and “should.” This is to emphasize that George and his feelings for Dot are not understood and are left behind. This continues with George moving to a slightly slower melody and higher range when he says “but if anybody could.” This is to show his secret admiration for Dot and how he is wishing that there were more that were a part of their relationship. The melody then moves into the main part of the melody, which changes in rhyme scheme and is emphasized with the words “finishing the hat.” At this point, there is an accent on words such as “window” and “hat.” The end of the melodies is held with longer lines while the rest moves quickly. None of the words rhyme at this point, but instead accent at the end of the words. The quick movement shows George’s anxiousness to gather the hat and to finish what he started. The held out notes emphasize his enjoyment of watching Dot and of watching those that are outside. The main melody line continues to repeat as well as the rhyme scheme. This begins to increase in range as George begins to speak about the woman “coming from the hat” and “returning from the knight.” This shows a sense of excitement as well as the idea of love. This point is able to emphasize the excitement of finishing this part as well as the idea of love. The melody changes when George states “ but to see.” At this point, there is an emphasis on how what George believes is only imaginary with the hat and how it can never be complete. The rhyme continues to stay the same and the melody and rhythm of the music also continues to move at the same pace after this slight break. However, there is a change in mood as George is able to see that what he has created is a space instead of the ability to love. This continues with the climax of the song as George states “as the woman that you know and as you give what you give.” This moves outside of the daydream state of love and into the loss of love, all emphasized by the stronger melody line, range and the change in rhythm from the instruments. While the anxiousness of the song continues, the climax shows the reality of Dot not being there. This moves back into the first melody with George “standing by.” The rhyme scheme and the melody goes back to the first melody to finish the song with an interpretation that is not of love and anxiousness, but instead is changed by the climax that shows he was only standing by. Style of the Song The style of the song is one that is appropriate for the period of the show. Stephen Sondheim was known to write several musicals that were from this period, specifically with a reflection on the 1800s and 1900s. The music and the variations that were developed created a sound that was well known for the time and was also reflective of the era of artists that were painting in 1884. The simplistic sounds from the orchestration and piano, the melodic line that doesn’t interchange except for the climax and the interpretation of the song all work together to create a sound that was common for musicals of the time. The development of the song through Sondheim and the collaborators changed through the original production. The beginning of this was noted with orchestration that was simplistic; however, it was also able to develop with the several components of melody, rhythm and the structure that Sondheim used. This followed the emotional concepts and the interpretations that were a part of the song. The character of George, which performs the song, is able to illuminate the orchestration because of the relationship he has to the other characters at this specific point. He is able to reflect on the different concepts of what is occurring and provides an interpretation that links to the rest of the musical because of the plot line and the position that George is in. Works Cited 1.Sondheim, Stephen. A Sunday in the Park with George.. Broadway, 1984. Appendix A Read More