Act II, Scene II - Analyse Friel's dramatic presentation in this scene and how the scene contributes to the themes of the play as a whole.

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Act II, Scene II – Analyse Friel’s dramatic presentation in this scene and how the scene contributes to the themes of the play as a whole.  - Adnan Abidali, 27th November 2003

The second scene of Act II plays a crucial role in underpinning the core concepts and ideas which Friel presents in this play. The stage directions are more explicit and convey particular signals. Whereas in the previous scenes language is employed to portray meanings, here we see paralinguistic elements (such as Maire’s nodding, pg 62) being utilised in establishing a form of communication which is independent of language and the meanings which words signify.

Firstly we see Yolland and Maire come away from the dance and this is dramatically presented in the stage directions as: “Maire and Yolland are now down front, still holding hands and excited by their sudden and impetuous escape from the dance”. This signifies far more than just their escape from the local festivities; Friel is emphasising a more profound point here. Yolland and Maire are escaping from their respective cultural and historical backgrounds, enjoying the exhilaration of being “outside” those parameters, which is also accentuated by the lighting directions thus: “This scene may be played in schoolroom, but it would be preferable to lose – by lighting – as much of the schoolroom as possible, and to play the scene down front in a vaguely ‘outside’ area.”.

Whilst “they run hand in hand” they “leap across the ditch” just as if, as Yolland indicates, they were being chased. All this dramatic action emphasises the point that Yolland and Maire, manage together (hand in hand), interdependent on one another, to transcend the social impositions which are placed on them by their cultural and linguistic circles by taking that ‘leap’ which can only be achieved through their united effort regardless of the potential consequences it poses. The very fact that they are being ‘chased’, as if fugitives, underlines the social and cultural pressures each one faces within their respective communities and each one earnestly wants to break free from conforming to such constraints.  

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However after their brief moment of excitement the significance and reality of what they have done dawns upon them. This realization is skilfully depicted in the dramatic action which takes place. The stage direction tells us through metonymic action how “the hands disengage”. Then “they begin to drift apart”. Then “slightly further apart”. Finally “they are a long distance from one another”. This dramatic action is more than just a reflection of the embarrassment Maire and Yolland feel; it reveals the tremendous consequences of what they are doing. An English lieutenant and a wild Irish girl have transgressed the ...

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