1.0 Introduction
There is a sense in which nature is depicted in literal work to resonate with the normal human course of life. In this regard, authors and artists seek to use psychological and philosophical aspects on nature to make this impact (Bruin,Murray, and Boom 43). Such depictions are very essential because they make sure that the reader connects with different components of the play because it enhances a sense of familiarity. In this light, therefore, this paper will analyze the various ways in which natural world is significant to two different plays. The plays include “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder and “The Seagull” by Anton Chekov.
2.0 Nature as Depicted in Our Town
2.1 Use of Natural Sequence of Time
Time is a critical component of nature and its sequential characteristic plays a fundamental role in structuring of the play (Maguire 56). In this regard, the artist uses time to show how events unfold in the course of the play. In particular, he uses time both in descriptive and quantitative form. For example, in Act I, the play opens in the morning hours where a professor by the name Willard gives a detailed description on the history of Grover’s town. In essence, the idea of opening the play in the morning is not only an aspect of sequence, but it is also a symbolic factor (Wilder 7). In this regard, morning represents the idea that the audience is new to the town. This is the reason as to why the professor sought to explain more about the town and introduce the reader. In addition to this, it also signifies the fact that the play is starting. This is based on the fact that the morning is the first part of the day. In another example, the artists describe wedding between George and Emily in a manner that shows the significance of nature. In particular, it is indicated that George and Emily prepared their wedding after 3 years. This is a clear indication that they used three years to interact and live together before wedding. It implies that marriage and courtship is affected by time as a component of nature.
2.2 Use of Rights of Passage
Culture and rites of passage are fundamentally vital aspects in nature and the course of human life (Bruin,Murray, and Boom 43).. These rites of passages have been used extensively in the play by Thornton. Actually, the titles of the three Acts, including Act I, Act II, and Act III, are based on the rights of passage that a human passes through. In the first act, the artist describes the daily life of people in the town. The second act discusses and focuses on love and marriage. Indeed, marriage is a fundamentally vital factor of natural human life and social interactions. In the third Act, the play opens with a revelation of a cemetery outside the town. This is a symbolic stipulation of death among human beings. Actually, the artist describes a scenario where Joe Stoddard is returning home to attend a funeral of Emily’s child. This is an illustration of the fact that death is part of human life. At this point, the play uses death to symbolize the end of human life. This is because the stage manager wishes people good night as the Act of death comes to an end. Critically, the play concludes at the same time when the act concerning death comes to an end.
2.3 Cultural Activities Integrated in the Play
Evidently, cultural activities are components of nature because they affect the behaviour and orientations of human beings. In this light, cultural factors showing the people’s way of lives are evident. For example, Mr and Mrs Webb both prevented George from visiting his partner Emily based on the basis that this would be a bad omen. The advice to this effect is an indication that the town dweller had various cultural believes which were depicted in the play. As such, it is evident that the cultural believes, which are part of natural human life, affected the structure, meaning, and effect of the play on the readers.
3.0 Nature as Depicted in the Seagull
Similarly, the Play titled “The Seagull” has also depicted and incorporated various aspects of nature. These aspects of nature have been depicted and affected the play in various ways with particular interest in social relations.
3.1 Love and Marriage
Love, as an aspect of human interactions, is particularly evident in the play. In essence, love triangles dominate the play whereby different are affectionate towards each other. In this light, Medvedenko is found to be affectionate towards Masha. However, Masha does not love him; instead, he falls for another man by the name Konstantin (Chekhov 13). In turn, Konstantin is not in love with Masha, but he falls in love with Nina. Yet, despite this love, Nina is affectionate towards Trigorin. Another example of love triangle is the case in which Polina enters into a romantic affair with Dorn yet she is married to Ilya. Now, the perfect scenario where the ideology of nature and love comes clearly is the case where attributes the all the love and romance to the lake. He shares in the idea that the lake makes all the characters fall in love. Critically, the lake is a natural feature that symbolizes sexual affection in this case. As such, nature is again used as a symbolic tool in the play.
3.2 Ailment and Death
In addition to love, the artists show death and suffering as being part of the natural human existence. In this case, Konstanin is found to have attempted to kill himself using a gun, but he did not succeed. The bullet only hurt the head skull and left him alive. However, he is later bandaged and continued to nurse the wounds for quite some time. In essence, the idea of love and connected sufferings are very alive in the play. They do not only depict the idea that the play is a reflection of the real life situation, but also ensure that the readers relate to how the play unfolds. For example, the sufferings experienced due to love triangles are realistic components of the contemporary world. As such, they are perfect examples of nature from a psychological perspective.
4.0 Conclusion
It cannot be disputed that natural phenomenon, whether physical or psychological, are used for the sake of creating a connection with the experiences of the reader. In this regard, the two plays have evidently used natural phenomenon to achieve this end. Importantly, also, the two plays are closely related especially when it comes to the addressed themes. In this case, they address the themes of love, marriage, and death. These are physical phenomena that characterize the human life. In addition, they also focus on time as a crucial aspect of nature.
Works Cited
Bruin, Fariba., Barbara Murray, and Irma Boom. Culture & Nature: Prince Claus Awards 2009. The Hague: Prince Claus Fund, 2009. Print.
Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich. The Seagull. London: Faber and Faber, 1997. Print.
Maguire, Tim. Tim Maguire: Time and Nature. Paddington, N.S.W.: Martin Browne Contemporary, 2012. Print.
Wilder, Thornton. Three Plays: Our Town, The Skin of Our Teeth, The Matchmaker. New York: Harper, 1957. Print.
