The Conflicts In “Translations“
The play “Translations” written by Brian Friel takes place in a small town in Ireland called Baile Beag in the year 1833. In act one, a hedge-school, located in an old barn, is the place in which the story commences. Everything seems to go as usual, with Manus and his father Hugh teaching the class in somewhat a comical manner and with general town gossip being discussed in class. However, then Manus’ brother Owen arrives from Dublin and in his company two British soldiers turn up, Captain Lancey and Lieutenant Yolland, who have come in order to map the land and to anglicize the Irish place names. One rapidly notices that these soldiers have brought a high conflict potential into this peaceful town. Nonetheless, they are not the only source of possible disputes in Baile Beag, since Manus is also a character who has numerous conflicts laying ahead, for example with his father about the position at the new school, with Owen and his dubious doings in Baile Beag or with Sarah who wants more than just extra attention from Manus. The conflicts which Friel insinuates in this first act do not only appear to be of a purely personal nature but all represent universal problems, which many have had to face.
As many other authors have before him and after him, Brian Friel has integrated the theme of love into his play and going along with it are intricate problems, which arise between the characters, which in “Translations” namely are Manus, Maire and Sarah. Manus and Maire are in a relationship and they have even been talking “about getting married” (p. 31). Sarah, a young woman with a speech defect, on the other hand is also in love with Manus, since he is the only one who is giving her attention. However, Manus does not share these feelings with Sarah and treats her more like a father would treat his child. The first conflict concerning love arises right at the beginning, when Maire questions Manus, about if he has applied “for that job in the new national school” (p. 16). Manus replies that he has not because his father has already applied and he does not want to “go in against him” (p. 17). This results in Maire being disappointed and upset about the situation and Manus, because she had hoped that through this new position Manus would be able to earn more money, so that they would be able to at least afford their own house when they married. However, under these circumstances Maire seems to be separating from the idea of getting married, which is underlined when Maire “moves away from Manus” (p. 31). Besides this, Maire is also very sure about leaving Ireland and going to America, after discovering that Manus would not get the position. She also shows an extensive interest in the British soldiers and in Owen when they arrive in the hedge-school, and when she hears about what Owen owns in Dublin she is truly amazed. The reader quickly notices that Maire wants her social status and her standards of living to rise and she sees that this will not be possible while being together with Manus. Therefore, she finds that the only chance to achieve her goals is by either going away or finding another man. While Maire sees no future with Manus, Manus seems to be the only person who means something to Sarah, since he gives her the attention she needs and wants. Manus certainly cares about her and he gives her fatherly love for example when he “hugs Sarah” (p. 3) or when he “kisses the top of Sarah’s head” (p. 7), but for Manus Sarah is no more than a sympathetic student, which is shown when she proudly tells Manus that she was able to say her name, but Manus just does not pay any attention to her. Sarah on the contrary has fallen in love with Manus, which is seen by the pleasure she feels when Manus hugs her or by her giving Manus flowers. This could lead to a conflict later on in the play because Sarah might want more from Manus than what he wants to give to her. The two conflicts of love Manus has with Maire and Sarah are not only personal problems of the characters in the play, but they are also universal problems which many people have to deal with every day. In our society today the social status and financial security play a huge role in relationships. Today, the wish for financial security even causes women marrying men that are sometimes 40 to 50 years older. The conflict between Maire and Manus is universal because many have to decide between being together with the one they love or with the one that can guarantee them social acceptance and a financially safe situation. As is this conflict, unrequited love, like Sarah’s, is also a problem in all countries on the globe. There will always be people who do not get the love returned to them that they give to others and requited love will just remain a dream for these people. Especially those like Sarah will often not get the love they desire and so only a bit of attention can easily be misinterpreted by them.
