Turn to Act Two Scene Two and remind yourself of the whole scene. This is a very unusual love scene. How effective do you find it and how does it relate to the main concerns of the play as a whole?

Act Two Scene Two is an unusual love scene. The main reason for this would be because of the lack of understanding between the characters due to the differences in their languages. Also the presentation of the scene moves away from the traditional perception of a love scene. The cliché formula has been applied for a romantic setting, such as the guitar music in the background, as well as the use of expressive language: “I love the sound of your speech”, “How beautiful you are. However these attempts of Maire and Yolland remain unsuccessful and they therefore have to revert to using peculiar tactics, for instance using the place names as a means of communication “Lis na n Gall. . . Lis na nGradh”. This scene could be said to be a microcosm of the play, although the apparent focus is on the love affair between Maire and Yolland, a hidden moral meaning can be recognised of when cultures clash. The voices of the characters perform a love duet, but this does not work as they have to resort to using place names in order to makes a connection. The themes and ideas which can be associated and emphasised on here include humour, physical movement, music, language, significance of being outside, instinctive and relationship to land. The effectiveness of combining these themes together results in delivering a greater shock to the spectators in reflection to the historical circumstances and situation at the given time.

Humour can be found along this scene as the misinterpretations and lack of understanding gives moments of embarrassment for both Maire and Yolland. An example of this can be seen as Maire talks her only English “We besport ourselves around the maypoll” without realising the meanings but with intentions of impressing Yolland. His excitement leads her to think she may have said something “dirty”. As this is not the case, the naivety of the characters is humorous for the audience. This highlights the great differences within the languages of English and Irish, making them emerge as if they are ...

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Friel may have been influenced to carry on this message of improper relationship due to the relationship between the English and Irish, which were not so good. The English had been trying to invade Ireland in order to expand their empire and had imposed the English language, ways of life and belief by force upon them. Most Irish people were opposed to this behaviour of the English which is made extremely obvious throughout the play, however some people such as Maire saw English as a way of moving forward.

Maire shows a willingness to learn the English language through her poor attempts “besport. . . maypoll” as does Yolland with Irish; this is ironic as he is not in Ireland for a good cause yet seems to love it. However, they can still not understand each other yet an instinctive relation draws them to one another and forms a means of communication by place names “Bun ha hAbhann. . . Lag” Friel has also made the physical movements of the characters enforce this point. Maire moves away from Yolland when she feels she may have said something horribly wrong but they also move closer to one another through intimacy, as they break away and come back together again. When relating this to culture we can see that Maire symbolises the Irish and Yolland is significantly the English. Nevertheless, they seem to have a reversal at times as they both have a desire for one another’s customs. This metaphorical movement of culture only underlines the division as only Irish words, “Cnoc na nGabhar. Mullach” unite them and not the English translations. This defines the importance of personal heritage.

An understanding is created although through a universal language – music. The guitar music can be seen to have a romantic tone as regardless to what language is spoken by the listeners as the mood is a set with no requirement for a translation. Without this music, someone watching from the outside may not be able to visualize the romance among the characters until the kiss.

On the other hand, the lack of understanding can be highlighted as Maire and Yolland want a

different “always”. They both do not understand this as they feel the other wants what they want as

- Abira Iqbal 12D -

there are dissimilarities in their languages. Yolland want an “always” with Maire in Ireland, whereas she wants an “always” in England. This does not work and a clash not only shown in their love, but with the outstanding situation in the play.

The historical issues can also be seen as Maire and Yolland have different views of the land. Maire relates everything back to land but Yolland switches it over:
“Maire The grass must be wet my feet are soaking.
Yolland Your feet must be wet. The grass is soaking.”

She talks of the elements ”Fire”, “Water”, and “Earth” but Yolland does not understand “Earth”. She has to pick some off the floor to make it clear. This exhibits how hey are not understanding one another and a clash in beliefs and morals. Also we can see an importance on the characters being outside. It is a metaphorical expression as both are leaving their respective communities and at the same time learning of each others, as well as one another as they have no translator to help interpret their thoughts and views. Furthermore, by being outside they are more comfortable with one another and not held to any constraints, allowing the audiences to a gain a fuller insight.

Act Two Scene Two is very effective as an extreme contrast can be seen through the characters misperception of one another, thus highlighting the historical differences between the not so good relationship with the Irish and the English The humour within this makes it appealing to the audience who are then keen to pay attention. The excessive instinctive relationship emphasises how the characters interact and communicate even though they do not speak the same language; as the ending of their conversation begins to flow along within each other, being built up by confusion, as if they know what the other is saying “Don’t stop - I know what you’re saying”. I find this is effective as it leaves a deeper message in the minds of the spectators, as we are given more of an overall rounded view of the main picture. It allowed me to create relationship with the forbidden love and how it has historical references within it. Additionally, it consequently relates to the play as whole as these relationships are being formed which oppose the ideas and thoughts of the majority of the actors. It is made evident to show a sign of peace for the Irish and English to stop holding feelings of resentment towards one another and become a friendly society, whom associate themselves with one another as done by Maire and Yolland. It reflects the sentimental side of the play and shows that with differences, everyone can still harmonize with one another and get along.