Analysis
Exploring the WASP World
A. R. Gurney, Jr. is a playwright whose works delve into the culture of the WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) community, often set against the backdrop of New England suburbia. His plays are characterized by minimalist stage settings that evoke moods and invite the audience to become participants, with offstage elements playing crucial roles. Gurney's innovative approach to staging, use of concurrent scenes, and integration of music, coupled with his deft use of language, make his plays polished and impactful.
Freedom and Identity
Gurney’s debut play, Three People, written during his time at the Yale School of Drama, introduces the theme of freedom. The play revolves around a university professor and his wife grappling with the reality of their mentally deficient child. The child, never seen on stage, is central to the dialogue, as the parents converse from the offstage nursery, exploring the depths of their tragic situation without sentimentality. This early work showcases Gurney's ability to draw sympathetic characters caught in inescapable circumstances.
Satire and Social Commentary
In his first three-act play, The Bridal Dinner, Gurney examines the superficiality of high society through a satirical lens. Set during a wedding dinner, the play explores the bride and groom's introspection about their future amidst the emptiness of societal rituals. Through humor and wit, Gurney critiques WASPish norms and presents a vision of global unity through the metaphor of marriage, asking whether characters can forge a new path beyond societal expectations.
Modern Parodies and Timeless Themes
The David Show offers a parody by setting the biblical story of King David's coronation in a contemporary television studio. The characters, though exaggerated, provide commentary on moral issues like war and ethnic tensions. With clever dialogue and a blend of humor and seriousness, Gurney forces his characters to confront their own flaws, particularly David, who symbolizes personal and cultural decay.
A Collage of American Life
Scenes from American Life is a montage reflecting upper-middle-class American society. Set in Buffalo, the play spans from the 1930s to the 1980s, with each vignette showcasing societal changes through a simple yet functional set. Snoozer, a character symbolizing apathy, anchors the play, which satirizes self-centered and bored characters in a world losing its moral compass. The play's language, filled with clichés and satire, highlights the disintegration of WASP values over time.
The Stasis of Tradition
In Children, Gurney adapts John Cheever’s story “Goodbye, My Brother” to depict a WASP family confronting the challenges of modernity. Set during a Fourth of July weekend, the play features characters entrenched in tradition, preferring the comforts of the past over the uncertainties of change. Through intelligent entertainment, Gurney illuminates the irony of a family clinging to a fading cultural identity.
Simultaneous Realities
The Wayside Motor Inn continues Gurney’s exploration of simultaneous narratives, presenting five subplots in a single motel room. Each subplot reflects on the struggles of WASP society, with characters trapped by their own inertia. The overlapping stories, each portraying mundane yet resonant conflicts, create a tapestry that critiques the unremarkable yet relatable struggles of modern life.
Dramatic Symbolism
Gurney’s The Dining Room uses the titular space as a symbol of WASP continuity and change. Through interwoven vignettes, the play depicts the transformation of bourgeois values across generations. This microcosm of societal shifts is both humorous and poignant, showcasing Gurney's ability to blend satire with heartfelt critique, underscoring the diminishing yet enduring aspects of traditional American values.
The Art of Social Gatherings
In The Perfect Party , Gurney examines the quest for perfection within the realm of social events. The protagonist, a college professor, seeks...
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to host a party that transcends mere gathering, aiming for artistic achievement. This play, recognized for its witty dialogue, underscores the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with societal expectations.
Experimentation and Tradition
Sweet Sue and Another Antigone reflect Gurney’s willingness to experiment with theatrical forms. Sweet Sue employs dual actors for each role, a technique that received mixed reviews. Another Antigone, however, is noted for its portrayal of a classics professor determined to uphold cultural values amidst modern decay, a theme resonant with many of Gurney’s works.
Reflections on Past and Present
Later Life revisits themes of missed opportunities and the inevitability of time. Set in New England, the play follows Austin, a WASP banker, as he reconnects with an old acquaintance, prompting reflections on choices and the passage of time. Inspired by Henry James’s work, this play encapsulates Gurney’s skill in blending humor with introspection.
Challenging Conventions
Sylvia offers a unique twist on domestic life by introducing a talking dog into a marital relationship. The play explores themes of mid-life crisis and marital dynamics, with the dog Sylvia serving as a catalyst for change. Gurney’s imaginative storytelling in Sylvia challenges traditional conventions and provides an engaging balance of comedy and insight.
Cross-Cultural Encounters
With Far East, Gurney shifts focus to cultural and personal conflicts set in a 1950s Japanese naval base. The play explores themes of love, loyalty, and identity through the experiences of a young American officer and his relationships. The narrative intertwines personal dilemmas with broader cultural tensions, making it a poignant exploration of cross-cultural encounters.
Tales of Intrigue
In the one-act plays Darlene and The Guest Lecturer, Gurney moves from serious to darkly comedic themes. Darlene centers on a housewife’s fixation on an enigmatic note, while The Guest Lecturer unfolds in a lecture setting with unexpected turns. Both plays highlight Gurney’s versatility in creating compelling narratives across genres.
Family and Art
Labor Day combines family dynamics with artistic ambition. A playwright’s attempt to capture the essence of his family in a play leads to comedic conflicts and reflections on the intersection of life and art. This lighthearted comedy underscores the complexities of familial relationships and creative pursuits.
Echoes of the Past
Ancestral Voices immerses audiences in a nostalgic exploration of upper-crust society during the 1930s and 1940s. Through a young boy’s perspective, the play unfolds familial changes and attempts at reconciliation. Gurney’s compassionate portrayal of generational shifts offers a delicate balance of nostalgia and critique.
Witty Insights
In Human Events and Buffalo Gal, Gurney returns to comedic forms with sharp insights into academia and theater. Human Events features a British impostor navigating the academic world, while Buffalo Gal explores the challenges of a famous actress returning to her roots. Both plays demonstrate Gurney’s continued engagement with cultural and personal themes, wrapped in wit and irony.
