Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odet - Essay Example

s Waiting for Lefty Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odet is a play based on the 1934 union strike by the New York cab drivers. Written in a vigorous, confrontational tone, the play examines the issues of the New York City laborers during the Great Depression in America. The play met with a critical response and even government opposition thereby expanding the reputation of the writer and the production. It was regarded as one of the socially relevant play of the time. The series of vignettes in the play revolve around the workers, their lives, and how they are motivated to involve in the strike. This one-act play comes in eight episodes with six characters, exemplifying the antagonism that existed between the business class community and working class. This discussion bases on the character of Joe and the ways it is portrayed by the playwright. The play starts at a Labor Union meeting, where the striking members are addressing their issues regarding the strike to the fellow audience. Harry Fatt, the corrupted union leader, favors the employer and tries to quell the strike by silencing the workers’ protest. However, the demand for strike is high and the workers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their elected committee chairman, Lefty Costello. Meanwhile, Fatt tries to convince the seekers of the strike proposal by stating that the president is taking care of their interests, and so the strike seems to be unnecessary and unproductive in various regards. He even spies and intimidates the workers, accusing those who oppose his opinion as communists or cowards. While waiting for Lefty, the members are allowed to express their views on the necessity of the strike. Each of the character addresses their economic necessity - the primary reason for them to take the job as a cab driver. They explain their intentions behind the strike proposal and how they are involved in the union. Firstly, Joe Mitchell takes his stand on the strike issue by defending the courage and conviction of Lefty. He also denies and opposes being called as a ‘Red’ by showing his war wounds as a symbol of patriotism. He speaks out about the poverty and exploitation of the working class by arguing that the strike is the only way out for them. He even persuades the workers to make up their minds in support of the strike, referring to his wife, Edna’s persuasion. The conversation between Joe and Edna reflects the tedious life of the cab drivers and their desperate households. Edna taunts Joe for his reluctance and persuades him to go on strike for higher wages. Even though he argues initially, he gets his spirit to stand up for their rights against the ‘racketeers’ in the union. Similarly, Miller relates his experiences as a lab assistant, where he is given a choice between receiving a salary raise and ‘spying’ his superior. Miller violently refuses the proposal to Fayette, the callous business man. The next vignette is about Sid, who breaks up with his girlfriend, Florence, because of her family’s disapproval to his low wage salaried cab driver work. The momentum at the union meeting increases when Fatt introduces Clayton for sharing his experiences about an unsuccessful strike. However, the audience opposes Clayton by stating that he is a labor spy who spends years breaking up potential unions for money. When he is intimidated by the henchman, he spills out that Clayton is his brother and his real name is Clancy. Finally, Dr. Benjamin talks about how he became a cab driver, after being fired from the hospital, despite his seniority. Agate Keller finally takes the stage announcing that the strike has to be on for the sake of saving the working class from social exploitation. When he is intimidated by Fatt and his henchman, he makes a communist salute, and incites the workers to unite and fight for the cause. The rhetoric speech of Agate is interrupted by a man announcing the death of Lefty. By the end, Agate yells at the workers, “Hello America! Hello. Were storm birds of the working-class. Workers of the world.... Our Bones and Blood.” (Odets 31). Joe’s character speaks clearly about the intentions of the strike, which is not for higher wages but to get a living wage. “And that’s why we’re talking strike – to get a living wage!” (Odets 7). The character of Joe, as introduced by the playwright, is a wounded veteran and is vexed of the existing class inequality. He compares the working-class’ poverty with that of Fatt’s wealth by stressing on the fact that they are intimidated by the rich. He also talks about how they are labeled as communists for voicing their opinions and dissatisfaction in the union. Joe’s views about the strike were initially less focused on the economic necessity and familial concerns. It was Edna’s persuasion that resulted in his change because she instills in him that he was ‘working’ for the company and not for him or his family. As Joe continues to speak, he calls out the workers to stand up for their rights as he believes in their power. The true purpose behind Joe’s speech is to remind the workers that even though they belong to different backgrounds, they have to unite to pursue for the common cause. Overall, the character of Joe vividly explores anti-Semitism, family cohesiveness, and working-class exploitation. The play clearly speaks about the time and place, where societal and governmental issues of class strife and communism are widely prevalent. Odet sympathizes with the common issues of the working class by pointing out how they are being exploited socially, financially, and physically. During the time-period when the play was staged, most of America was affected by economic depression. So, the playwright shows that the workers were mired in the Depression Era and were starting to fight for their rights. The entire play makes the point that the exploitation of working class was prevalent in the then society, and the rich were mercilessly controlling and taking advantage of the poor. Each of the characters, such as Dr. Benjamin, Miller, and Agate are all seen fighting their own battle against the rich. However, in the end, they seem to lose themselves in the struggle. The physical aggressiveness and strength of the working class developed through the power system in the society. Work Cited Odets, Clifford. Waiting for Lefty. Dramatists Play Service Inc, 1935. Read More