3 Scene 2; Discussion
Eve, Lucy and Cael sit in front of each other.
CAEL
Hello, I'm Cael.
EVE
Uhh, Cael?
CAEL
(wondering)
yes, something the matter?
EVE
no sorry, you just reminded me of someone. Carry on.
CAEL
Okay then, I am 19 years old, studying political science and I chose this course because of my interest in literature. I guess that's it.
LUZY
Hey, my name's Luzy. That's Luzy spelt L-U-Z-Y, don't get it wrong. I am 18 years old, although I might not look like it. I plan to major in home economics and become a successful business woman. I have no siblings, for now. My favorite color is red, my horoscope is Virgo and my blood type is-
EVE
Okay Luzy that's enough. I'm Eve, nice to meet you.
CAEL
Hello. (beat) So, there was a task that was given to us?
LUZY
We are supposed to find a drama that we like and then introduce it.
CAEL
Umm, okay then. Have you guys decided on anything yet?
LUZY
Nope.
EVE
Well, we are still thinking.
CAEL
then can I give a suggestion?
EVE
Sure.
CAEL
To be honest, I really like FAUST. It's a tragic play, written by Goethe and is in my opinion one of the greatest works in german literature.
EVE
Oh, That's a good idea.
LUZY
What's Faust?
EVE
It's a tragedy about a scholar named Faust, who makes an arrangement with the devil Mephistopheles. The devil does everything Faust wants on earth, but Faust has to obey Mephisto, when he's in hell. The bet is, that if Faust gets enticed by the devil, then he is to die on the spot. Later, he falls in love with a girl named 'Margaret' and seduces her. She falls pregnant, but kills the illegitimate child. In the end she is convicted of murder. It's a great drama and a good representation for the age of enlightenment.
CAEL
That's right. What you described was only the first part though. It's actually the second part that I find interesting. Now, the focus isn't only on Faust anymore, rather, we get an insight about society, philosophy and politics.
EVE
Hold on, but there's no Margaret anymore.
CAEL
She does appear in the end, to guide him to his ultimate salvation, but what does it matter, she is only a side character.
EVE
Wait, I have to disagree there. She is a strong girl who strayed from the right path, without her the story wouldn't be the same.
CAEL
Oh for real, you think so? Well, you're right on the part that she plays a major role for the plot, but for me, that's kinda about it. In my opinion, Margaret is not a very unique character. She may appeal to the ones similar to her, but to me she seems as unflexible as a straight arrow. It's just how Mephistopheles put it, the first part is the small world, Fausts' local town. The second part is the real part and takes place in the wide world. Margaret was meant to be a transition for that.
EVE
No, Margaret is more than that. She is an innocent maiden, who falls for Fausts seduction because of her loneliness and her urge to escape. She is a naive girl that thinks, everything will stay the same and that Faust will love her as unconditionally as she loves him. Which in the end leads to her demise. However, even though she may have been mislead and walked the wrong path, Margaret stayed true to her feelings until the end, which is why she gets admitted to heaven. It's admirable, in a sense.
CAEL
But it is still Faust that plays the most important role and coincidentally, which I like the most. He truly is a person who we should strive to become. His principles represent the age of enlightenment and should be followed as such. He is a learned man who does only what he conceives as right. Through his journey he gets stuck, while trying to expand his knowledge towards a region, a man should never go. Maybe it was something not meant to be known, but it does not matter to him, because uncovering what the truth holds, is his destined path.
EVE
Then shouldn't you like the first one more, as it is from his subjective standpoint.
CAEL
The second part also deals with his view point, only this time, he has matured. If at the beginning, he represented one man, and his own viewpoint, then now, he represents all humanity.
LUZY
Well, looks like we have some slight conflicts here and there, how about we think of another one?
CAEL
Fine by me. What have you guys thought of?
EVE
How about BEFORE DAWN, written by Gerhart Hauptmann?
CAEL
Do you mean that Social-Drama? I don't know about that one.
EVE
Why not?
CAEL
I don't really feel the characters.
EVE
Hm, not even Helene?
CAEL
Especially not Helene.
EVE
How come, I actually quite like her.
CAEL
I just don't like the suicidal ones.
EVE
Even though they are the most emotional ones?
CAEL
I don't like suicide in general. It irks me.
EVE
Well, I guess I can agree on that.
CAEL
Especially in Before dawn, I find her suicide to be unrealistic.
EVE
What do you mean with unrealistic?
CAEL
I felt her death was not well thought through, it was kinda bland even. She died unreasonably, in my opinion.
EVE
it seemed quite reasonable to me. If I remembered correctly, it was because of Loth leaving.
CAEL
Yes, I know, but think about it, who is Helene personality-wise?
EVE
Uhh, I guess I would characterize her as a woman of pure nature, a strong woman.
CAEL
That's what a lot of people say, but is that really true?
EVE
What do you mean?
CAEL
Think about it, you should know, that she was a girl who cried a lot. She possessed a lack of independence and determination. That's how she always was, at least that's how she was, until she met Loth. All of a sudden Helene becomes a strong-willed girl, who stands by her opinion and doesn't fear confrontation. However, that doesn't mean she suddenly found the light or something. What I actually believe, is that she has only changed her role model. She used to read books like the Sorrows of young Werther, which Loth has already characterized as a book for weaklings, for ill people.
LUZY
Ah, I know that book. It's the one where the protagonist killed himself, right?
CAEL
Exactly. Now, before Helene met Loth, it is likely that Werther was her role model, and he also became it again after Loth left. Now what does it say about her death? Was it because of her new found independence? A death of a girl who represented the freedom of women? No that wouldn't suit her, it wouldn't suit Werther. The reason she might have liked Loth, wasn't because of him, but because of herself. To escape her current life, as he was different. However, when he left, she realized that things would never change, she would never escape. So her death wasn't a death of a martyr, it was the death of an egoistic person, who didn't know better. And that's what I find unreasonable. As in I do not agree to her decision.
EVE
Even if she died for herself, I wouldn't necessarily call it unreasonable. In itself, suicide is always for oneself, so doesn't that mean, every suicide is unreasonable?
CAEL
Then it is.
EVE
But it isn't.
CAEL
Killing yourself and leaving behind your family members and friends is not unreasonable?
EVE
It shouldn't be seen in that way. From another perspective, expecting them to live on is unreasonable too.
CAEL
I don't understand at all. It is actions like that, I despise the most. Pride and ego are the two clauses that causes a society to break down. I believe that we, as in humanity, have to work together, to really achieve anything at all. Suicide is a form of escapism for the weak-minded people, which in the end, also destroys the people in its vicinity.
EVE
It is the very society that has betrayed them, so why would they care? You have to know, that nobody starts with the idea of suicide. It is the very last option, meaning nothing is available anymore. They don't really want to die, nobody does, but what can they do, when they have nothing left?
CAEL
There's always an option.
EVE
Except when there isn't. Or else those people wouldn't have died.
CAEL
They died because they are overcome by their feelings and can't think straight. Suicidal thoughts is an illness and should be treated as such.
EVE
Oh no, they are very sane, in fact, it is in that very moment that they might be the calmest. As you feel, that all your problems have dissolved, as if nothing matters and there was no reason to be sad anymore.
CAEL
That's exactly what I mean, intoxicated by the sweet euphoria, they can't tell right and wrong apart. Sorry, no matter what you say, my decision on this will not change. Suicide is weak.
LUCY
Okay, and that's enough, stop right there. How did we end up talking about this depressing topic? Anyways, change, change! Are their any other dramas you guys can think of?
EVE
I have no other ideas.
CAEL
Same.
LUZY
Okay, doesn't matter, because I do.
EVE
You do?
LUZY
yes, yes I do. Just thought about it.
EVE
really, why can't I believe you?
LUZY
What, I also read books.
EVE
They are dramas.
LUZY
Same thing. So how about NATHAN THE WISE?
EVE
Uhh.
LUZY
Not good?
EVE
No, i just haven't given much thought about it. The drama about religion right? Cael?
CAEL
I got nothing to say about it either, I don't really care much about religion.
EVE
Me neither.
LUZY
That might actually be for the best. Don't really wanna hear another debate.
EVE
The question right now is since when do you care?
LUZY
about religion? I don't.
EVE
Then why?
LUZY
It's the only drama I know, that doesn't end with people dying. Spoiler alert, by the way.
EVE
Really, that's it?
LUZY
I also like the plot. Especially the aspect of forbidden love. Not only are the lord and Recha from a different faith and status, in the end, they even turn out to be siblings. But the book- I mean the drama, shows that love overcomes all.
EVE
Uhm, I don't think that's what the drama was trying to convey, but I also like the plot. Specifically it's the ring parable that I like the most.
LUZY
What's the ring parable?
EVE
You are an idiot, you know that?
LUZY
Why?!
EVE
For god's sake how do you not know about the ring parable, it's literally the only thing that you should now about, that anybody knows about, just when I had some hope for you, you betray me like that!
LUZY
I am sorry, I just read it because I liked the love aspect. Please don't hit me.
CAEL
You two really get along well.
EVE
How exactly did you reach that conclusion?
CAEL
From the way you two interact, looks like you guys are pretty familiar with each other.
EVE
It's a love-hate relationship, really.
LUZY
What do you mean love-hate, there's only love. A 100% love, i say.
EVE
I was kidding, you don't have to be so defensive.
LUZY
(sulking)
I just want you to care about me the same way as Recha does for the lord. I like the story because they resemble us, you know, forbidden love and stuff.
EVE
Really, that's the only reason?
LUZY
Mhm.
EVE
You should have told me from the beginning.
Eve gets closer, and puts her arm around the shoulders of Luzy.
EVE (CONT'D)
Better?
LUZY
Yep.
CAEL
Excuse me for asking, but are you two perhaps in a relationship?
LUZY
yeah, I am into girls, how did you know?
CAEL
How did I know, I'd have to be blind, if I couldn't tell. I have never seen a couple who act like this. It's as if I am watching a love comedy. Aren't you two embarrassed?
LUZY
What for?
CAEL
You're really brazen, I'd die from shame if I behaved like this in public.
LUZY
You learn to not care about other opinions when you are in this state, you know?
CAEL
Yeah sorry, I think I shouldn't interfere with your relationship, it's just a bad habit of mine, this intense curiosity.
LUZY
No, I don't really mind at all, it's not like we are secretive about it. Feel free to ask.
CAEL
Well usually, people are more sensitive about their sexuality.
LUZY
I was before, but I am not anymore. Most are pretty tolerant nowadays. Theres no difference between us and them anyways.
CAEL
Okay, nice. Don't regret it.
LUZY
I won't, I won't. But that's another matter for now. The real question is if we should use Nathan the wise.
EVE
Sounds good to me.
CAEL
Me too.
LUZY
Great, Let's brainstorm.
CAEL
Actually, I still have other classes to attend to. How about we meet up later today?
LUZY
I can't, I have some business to take care of, so why don't you meet up with Eve today and we'll meet some other time.
CAEL
Sure.
EVE
Wait, why don't we wait until everybody has time?
LUZY
No, you guys don't need me anyways, so you can work on your own, for now.
EVE
But-
LUZY
It's fine, you'll manage.
EVE
Well, okay.
