The God of Carnage is a play that showcases the different aspects of relationships in the family and society. It is premised on two families that meet to discuss their sons’ violent behaviors at a playground, only for the discussion to go haywire. The pretense of civilization that is highlighted in the play bubbles out of control when the real issues start being addressed. The play highlights the relationship of what happens in the family as being in synch with what happens in the outside world. More often than not, the society hides under the pretense of civilization as depicted by the forms of westernization that people are forced to live by. However, the same manner in which the problems in the family come out showcases how the world outside often crumbles at the slightest provocation. The provocations emanate from the political, cultural diversities and economic problems that exist today. In the pursuit of happiness, the world sometimes has to forego aspects of western civilization. For instance, countries are constantly involved in warfare and other forms of barbaric behaviors when the provocations occur.
The world faces issues of racism, cultural differences, and economic disparities. The issues that the world faces are the same ones that are highlighted in the interactions of the families in this setup. For instance, these two families are different in their economic well-being. Even though they are both well off, Allen and Annette are from the upper social class. Michael and Veronica are average income earners. When Annette vomits on the coffee table in Michael’s house, Veronica interprets it as a sign of contempt because she is from a fairer economic background. The act sparks off more bitterness and the two families are involved in a heated argument. The same issue would apply in the globe today. There are wrangles that are forged because of economic differences and the need for empowerment from all the countries. For instance, the Middle East is always in a constant fight over oil and resources. Political recognition has also steered nations such as North Korea in the acquisition of weapons even as the United Nations continues to discourage the acts. The play showcases how the issues of power and class make it difficult for people and the world to exist as one happy social unit. Society starts with the family as a unit. If the issues of economic differences and the need for power affect it, they spill over to the whole nation.
In addition, the issues of race are brought forth. The play highlights how the world pretends to incorporate civilized actions in the aspect of racism. Veronica is writing a book about peace in Darfur and the aspect of racism of the black skin. At the same time, the husband, who pretends to support her, makes a cynical racial sentiment about the Sudanese people. Such are the issues that are brought forth by the play. The aspect of racism prevents the globe from fully interacting in oneness. Countries trade, pretend to coexist and participate in international markets, but the issue of racism still lingers in the air. For instance, the issues of color and police brutality and racism between continents still exist. The racist issues shape the different world views and stereotypes that exist in the world today. Also, the challenge of establishing a peaceful world is showcased in the play. Often, the world hides under the provisions of renowned groups such as the United Nations. The truth is peace is still a challenge because countries are involved in wars all the time when the civilized forms of negotiations fail. The same is the case with the play. At first, the two parties share food and drink. They want to discuss the behaviors of their sons peacefully. However, the peace is soon shuttled by the reality of the differences and issues that happen in the families. It is ironic that Veronica writes about peace in Darfur but instigates an argument in the room. The same irony applies in many nations in the world today.
The relationship in these two couples is negatively reflected in that of their children. For instance, Alain calls his son a savage; sighting that there is no way that he can be changed. The same savageness is depicted in his tone and mannerism towards his wife and women. Alain does not have a shred of tenderness and is the ruthless speaker in the room. It seems as though the parents approve of the lack of tenderness in their son, given that Alain himself is not caring or loving. All he does is work, which makes his wife feel neglected. He does not have time for family matters, and his raw honesty showcases a man who is not perturbed by anything. The same behavior is reflected by Benjamin’s attack on Henry (Reza and Christopher, 33). In addition, Veronica and Michael have the aspect of social groupings and discrimination, where they have classified people in society based on their social well-being and race. They are people who are concerned by where a person comes from before they make connections. The reason is probably fuelled by their insecurity in their social status. Their behavior of social classifications is reflected in their son, who refuses to let the son of Alain and Annett join his “gang.” The mere fact that he has a gang also reflects the behavior of his parents. Additionally, the two families reflect how people behave towards one another because of the aspect of humanity. Social issues of classification and ruthlessness will always exist. People often treat each other well under pretense, and it would take a single moment for the layer of hypocrisy to come off. However, their relationship is contrasted to that of primitive African societies. The African societies believe in the peaceful co-existence of society as a whole, where the aspect of sharing takes center stage. Therefore, such issues do not reflect the behaviors in most African societies that are still embracing their traditions. The only aspect that is similar to African societies is the manner in which the men portray women as being the lesser gender. In primitive African societies, women are indeed considered as the lesser beings and are limited to the household.
The movie adapts to a different kind of language that showcases the true spirit of Americanism. It is devoid of the much-needed humor that the play has because it tends to show how serious people in the contemporary American society are about such issues. The movie uses the contemporary kind of language that is reflective of how people talk. It tends to showcase how parents in different social circles raise their children in a way that was different from the movie. The Alan of the play is more cynical that the one that the movie represents. In addition, the aspect of Annett being the blonde wife of a rich lawyer is more pronounced in the movie to highlight the contemporary description of a trophy wife in America.
Works cited
Reza, Yasmina, and Christopher Hampton. The God of Carnage. London: Faber and Faber, 2008. Print.
