In what ways could Hugh justifiably be said to be the central character and hero in Translations?
In what ways could Hugh justifiably be said to be the central character and hero in Translations? Hugh, as the teacher at the hedge school and as a prominent social figure within Baile Beag, is a central character in the narrative of the play. He is also the device through which Friel arguably sets out what he believes to be the best course of action in response to the situation in Baile Beag, and is therefore the central protagonist in Translations. He is by no means a traditional hero, in the sense that he not a physically strong and brave man who fights against evil (the English) in order to preserve good (Irish culture). However, it is possible that by refusing to condone any form of violent action regardless of motive and by being in favour of cultural adaptation, Friel has created his own version of heroism in the character of Hugh. In this way he surpasses the more traditional view of heroism, and achieves his end (preserving existing cultural values) by acknowledging that change is inevitable. By concentrating on the development of Hugh's response to the situation in Baile Beag, we are able to understand the ways in which he is the central character and hero of Translations. During Act 1, Hugh, like the Irish people, is struggling to come to terms with the implications of the English presence in Baile Beag, and this results in a muddled and inconsistent reaction to
'Friel creates a dramatic world that, from the start, is full of conflict.' To what extent would you consider this an accurate statement? Take as your starting point the opening scene up to the entrance of Hugh.
Claire Gittoes 'Friel creates a dramatic world that, from the start, is full of conflict.' To what extent would you consider this an accurate statement? Take as your starting point the opening scene up to the entrance of Hugh. From the very beginning Friel presents us with confliction. Firstly the play examines the impact of political opposition on human relationships, which is evidently going to present conflict. One only needs to focus on the opening scene and examine the setting, to see the friction. The hedge school is in direct contrast to the established education of the age. We can imagine pupils in England sat at desks in orderly classrooms, in purpose built schools with playgrounds; glass windows, blackboards and numerous teachers covering various subjects. Friel presents us with the harsh reality of rural Irish education of the time, a cowshed littered with farm implements, and yet this is a luxurious step up from the original hedgerows themselves. This could be seen as conflict of luxuries of education, or simply as a disregard for a human right (to be educated). One starts to feel for those people who have do not have a privileged education, and makes you question how do they stand a chance? All of the characters present in this play are representative of particular views and beliefs, all of characters representing different aspects of the same political
What Issues Of Communication Are Raised In The Play 'Translations'?
What Issues Of Communication Are Raised In The Play 'Translations'? The play 'Translations' by Brian Friel is in many respects an intelligent and enlightening metaphor for the situation in Northern Ireland. Throughout the play Friel uses his satirical twists and mixes of tragedy with comedy to express the vulgarity and hypocrisy in Ireland. Friel introduces a variety of extremely heavy topics dealing with societal problems such as generation gaps, communication and cultural difference. The play centres mostly on the tragedy of English imperialism as well as Irish nationalism. The themes that run through Translations are only an indication of the subject matter Friel begins to base his writings on. Translations may be located both temporally and spatially to a fixed point in Irish history. The characters hail from Baile Beag, renamed with the anglicised title of Ballybeg. The action of the play occurs over a number of days towards the end of August 1833. Before delving into the play it is clear, from these most general of points, that the main plot of Translations is a period of great significance in the colonial relationship between Ireland and England. The issue of communication in particular takes a significant central point in the play 'Translations'. The problems of translations between the languages are a metaphor for the problems of communication between England and
Use of Language in the play 'Blood Wedding'.
Use of Language I am analysing the play to help me understand the meaning of the play and the characters. This play is a translation of 'Blood Wedding' as Federico was Spanish writer so therefore all the literature won't all be there. Plays aren't easy to translate, as when it has been translated it must ensure that the final product works o stage as well as a play in a book. Lorca's translation took place in April and may 1988 in Madrid. The main problem with presenting and translating Lorca's play was that the characters speak from their souls and that Lorca's has writing in a theatre of poetry and emotions. The title "Blood Wedding" suggests tension throughout the play and the passionate union of two lovers, the bride and the bridegroom and Leonardo and the wife. In Act One Scene One we are introduced to the mother and the bridegroom. We can see that Lorca has represented the mother as being very over protected of the Bridegroom. He shows the audience this by his use of language, we notice that the mother likes to fuss around her son a lot e.g. making sure he has eaten before going out tot the vineyard. "Son take some food with you......" When the son tells her "no" and that he will eat grapes at the vineyard by cutting them with a knife. This is when the tension rises between the mother and the bridegroom. The mother becomes cross and starts to shout about how
In what ways is 'translations' a suitable title for this play?
English Literature In what ways is 'translations' a suitable title for this play? The title Translations is an extremely suitable title for this play, this is because it donates language within the play and gives the play meaning and a plot. Throughout the play different types of languages are spoken, such as Gaelic, English, Latin and Greek and are translated my Owen, who's role is to act as the translator, so therefore the title is significant, this is because without the use of translating the different languages the characters within the play would be unable to communicate with one another. Owen plays an extremely big part within the play, his role as translator is vital to the play, as his presence allows relationships between the characters and the plot to develop. His character is significant to the title translations, as this is what his job is, to translate between the English language and the Gaelic language. If Owen had not offered to translate the languages, communication would be extremely difficult, an example of how difficult communication would be without Owen is seen when Lancey attempts to speak to the Irish community about his plans, he speaks in a slow very patronising tone, thinking the Irish community will understand him better, it is only when Owen says "It might be better if you assume they understand you and I'll translate as you go along" But in
Explore how Friel uses language in order to create humour and other emotional responses in the audience. Focus particularly on the exchange between Yolland and Marie in Act 2 scene 2 of "Translations"
Eleanor Morris Translations Coursework Explore how Friel has used language in order to create humour and other emotional responses in the audience? Focus particularly on the exchange between Yolland and Marie in Act 2 scene 2. In this essay I intend to explore the relationship between Marie and Yolland. I want to examine how the overall structure of the language presents a comical piece for the audience to watch and discover how the couple overcome the language barrier to connect on a much deeper level. I would also like to look at how they convey their emotions without verbal understanding. Then finally I would like to look at the way in which Friel provokes emotional responses in the audience. In a short play like Translations, the focus of the drama is on ever changing relationships demonstrated through language and conversation. If we study the relationship between Yolland and Marie and focus on their characters we find how different and individual they each are. The couple, prove to be direct opposites of one another. Yolland is an English soldier who has a romantic outlook on the world, whereas Maire is an Irish milkmaid who has a pragmatic view of the world. Yet both are similar in many ways, they both have hopes, dreams and fears. If we refer to the previous meeting between the couple (End of Act 2 Scene 1 from p58) we find the section where Maire and
How Does Friel Introduce And Present The Themes Of Language And Translation In The Opening Sequence Of The Play?
How Does Friel Introduce And Present The Themes Of Language And Translation In The Opening Sequence Of The Play? Throughout the opening sequence of Brian Friel's " Translations" the themes of language and translation occur frequently and in many different forms. The theme of language comes up in the very first few pages; we are introduced to many different levels of language from different characters. For example, Jimmy reading Greek stories to himself, Manus, who is fairly literate and knowledgeable and then Sarah who is trying to pronounce her name with the aid of Manus. She has a speech defect and has not been able to speak, she communicates via hand signals and "grunts". Sarah has this as her own language and on page 6 she communicates with Manus using this. She is trying to indicate where the master is. Her language requires trial and error and is not very specific thus taking numerous tries to find out where the master has gone and why he is so late. "Sarah goes to Manus and touches his elbow. She mimes rocking a baby." Also "Sarah mimes pouring drinks and tossing them back quickly." He is celebrating the christening of a baby at "Anna na mBreag's" pub. Jimmy however, who can speak Latin, Greek and Irish is used to introduce a different format of language and translation compared to Sarah. Jimmy literally translates from Greek to Irish, whilst doing that he seems to
'Translations depicts the cultural take over of Ireland by the British Empire, yet it cannot be said to be simply pro-Irish.' Consider this comment
Lizzie Franks 29/25/03 English Literature Coursework- 'Translations depicts the cultural take over of Ireland by the British Empire, yet it cannot be said to be simply pro-Irish.' Consider this comment on the play. The Cultural take over of Ireland by the British Empire is a central issue in Translations. Friel examines this issue by describing the effects that certain changes have on individual characters; Irish and English. One may think a play with this issue could not help being biased towards the Irish. However, Friel 'did not wish to write a play about Irish peasants being suppressed by English sappers.' In order to ascertain whether he achieves this, we should look to his often complex characters and how they develop throughout the play. and so we must look at individual characters, as Friel does, to see whether this play is pro-Irish or not. Let us take Hugh O'Donnell as the first example. Hugh is portrayed as an intellectual character. He has a wide knowledge of languages and uses a sophisticated choice of words. For instance, when he describes the Irish language he explains that certain other cultures 'expend on their vocabularies and syntax acquisitive energies and ostentations.' This is definitely a positive characteristic and can be contrasted to Lancey and
How does the opening sequence to Translations prepare the audience for what is to come?
Oliver Towle How does the opening sequence to ‘Translations’ prepare the audience for what is to come Right from the beginning of the text, Friel’s ‘Translations’ submerges the audience within a slowly decaying Irish cultural society surrounded by surprisingly exuberant pupils of a hedge-school. Through his exploration of themes such as the importance of language and Gaelic history to the development of colourful characters such as the “infant prodigy” Jimmy Jack and the apparently ‘waiflike’ mute Sarah, Friel underlines the nature of the British imperialist takeover of Ireland and the subsequent Irish reaction. This essentially leaves the audience prepared for potential conflicts and issues to arise between not only either country, but between the interests of the people of Baile Beag. Friel first ensures the audience is familiar with the importance of agriculture on the rural town of Baile Beag. He notes the school as being held in a ‘disused barn’, notes objects such as a ‘cart-wheel’ and a ‘churn’ and soon describes the ‘shabby’ clothed Manus as well as recognising that Maire makes an entrance carrying a milk bucket. All of these images when combined draw up a sense of reliance on the land for these people, as it is clear that they are by not means an industrial community and work with fields and animals. As well as this, the damaged
How does Frayn present social class and it's importance to Stephen?
Focusing on chapters one-six, how does Frayn present social class and its importance to Stephen By Hayley Irwin The theme of social class is pertinent throughout Frayn’s novel, particularly in the way in which it manipulates Stephen and Keith’s relationship. Early on, the readers are presented with the character Keith, who is portrayed to be in a higher class than Stephen due to the colour of their belts; ‘We’re socially colour-coded for the ease of reference. Yellow and black are the colours of the right local preparatory school… Green and black are the colours of the wrong school’. Immediately, this gives the reader an insight into how Stephen degrades himself as a result of his social class while demonstrating the common contemporary views that people had. During the world war two era, prejudices between classes were common and as a result of this, many found themselves bound into the social class in which they were born, unable to strive for a higher position in society - reinforced in this case as a result of poorer education. This is the first time the readers are presented with the direct comparison of Stephen and Keith, but it instantly becomes evident that this social division has a profound effect upon Stephen due to the harsh words of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, which insinuate that Stephen feels being in a lower social class changes the person who he
