At the end of year 12,
we were given a ‘blurb’ of each play, and the one that stuck out to me the most
because of its description and name was ‘The Devils’ by John Whiting. I liked
the dark and disturbing nature of it, the fact that main character, Sister
Jeanne, was a nun who became possessed – or didn’t – because of her lust for a
Priest, and convinced her Sisters to join her in the pretentious act of
possession by demons. I found it ironic that all the characters were supposed
to be people of God, doing their duty to live a sinless and holy life, making it their duty to out those who
sinned, when none of them were completely pure.
However, after reading
the play, I felt disappointed as it wasn’t as intense or gradually climatic as
I had presumed. It seemed to have a continual theme of sadness, guilt, tragedy;
everything negative, and pessimistic. And when there were aspects of love and
redemption, it was immediately ceased as if nothing good could come of this
world.
Furthermore, what annoyed
me most was the ignorant, selfish and misguided beliefs of the characters,
specifically highlighting main characters Grandier and Sister Jeanne, were
Catholic. I believe everyone has the right to practice their chosen religion as
long as it doesn’t affect anyone else, and I respect the beliefs and ideals of
that religion, however, these two characters took it too far; they used their
belief as an excuse; that their actions were of a higher power, instead of
accepting responsibility.
For example, when
Grandier finds out that Phillipe is pregnant he leaves her as he feels to have
a child is a curse, that he is being punished for loving someone other than
God. Yet, I feel the genuine reason he leaves her is because he doesn’t want
the ‘burden’ of having a child, and cannot be bothered to look after or care
for anyone other than himself. He takes the time and care to pleasure himself
with women around the town without a second thought, although to many people
that could be considered an unholy act, and marries a girl without the blessing
of her father, his supposed friend - whose trust he breaks by impregnating her
- then ditches her when he’s had enough.
Another prime example
of the egotistical nature of some of these characters is when Sister Jeanne
becomes possessed and convinces the
other Sisters to be so too. Although the priest has done a lot to some women
around the town, he has done nothing to Jeanne – he hasn’t even met her, and
doesn’t until he’s royally humiliated and tortured. Nevertheless, after having
impure thoughts about him, and when she offers him an offer to become the
Father of her convent he politely refuses, she goes on a determined voyage,
that takes an unsettling turn, to destroy him mentally, emotionally, and
finally, physically. And until the very end they all believe it was a just
deed, that he deserved it.
This play is set in
the 17th Century – 1600’s – Loudun, France. Going back to the past,
more than one hundred years ago - frankly more than 50 years ago - has never
been something I’ve enjoyed, particularly so when the era I must visit is
similar to periods I’ve learnt about in secondary school. It bores me. I feel
like I’m in a history lesson; as if I must go back to times when equality was
at an all-time low, homophobia the ordinary, and let’s not start on racism. Times
when things were in greater peril than they are today - as it often seems to be
with history.
I enjoy learning about
history that’s mostly speculated at; periods that still hold some mystery. Such
as: the Egyptians, or the mystery of the BC years, exploring a time when we
were cavepeople, when we lived among dinosaurs, or the birth of Buddism. When I
take a trip to the past, I prefer it to be something different and new to the
daily historical debate.
And so for these reasons,
after my first reading of ‘The Devils’ I wasn’t convinced I wanted to be a part
of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment