Sticks and Bones

by David Rabe

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Historical Context

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The Vietnam War

In the throes of the 1950s, the United States waded into the turbulent waters of the Vietnam conflict, driven by the fervor of Cold War ideologies. The Cold War emerged as a tense aftermath of World War II, marking an era where the United States stood in stark opposition to the USSR. This rivalry extended to their allies, all ensnared in a precarious dance over nuclear arsenals and the tenacious spread of communism. Before the shadow of World War II fell, France, America's ally, had laid claim to much of Indochina, Vietnam included. As the 1950s unfolded, Ho Chi Minh led a fiery communist independence movement into a fierce collision against the nationalistic forces backed by France. In a bid to keep Vietnam from slipping into communist hands, the United States unfurled its financial support to bolster France against Minh's forces.

By the mid-1950s, the battlefield in Vietnam had reached a grim deadlock. Indochina, once a French colony, now found itself carved into three separate nations. Vietnam bore the brunt of this division, split into a communist north and a south under French influence. Elections were poised to set Vietnam's political course anew, yet fate twisted into war, drawing the United States deeper into its tumultuous grasp. The Communists pressed their claim across all three countries, and America found itself entwined in each struggle.

In 1961, under President John F. Kennedy's directive, American soldiers stepped onto Vietnamese soil as military advisors. Although the American government yearned to extricate itself from the quagmire swiftly, the ranks of troops and advisors swelled, alongside financial commitments, as South Vietnam's situation grew increasingly unstable. By 1965, American soldiers were engaged in direct combat, with the number exceeding 180,000 by year's end. This figure surged to over half a million by 1968. As more American youth were drafted into the fray, the average age of soldiers dipped into the late teens, with eighteen- to twenty-year-olds becoming a common sight on the front lines. Despite peace negotiations simmering since 1968, in 1969, President Richard M. Nixon chose to escalate the conflict further.

Back in the United States, a wave of anti-war sentiment swelled throughout the decade, gaining momentum especially after 1965. Dissent simmered even within the corridors of government prior to this period. By the late 1960s, defiance against the draft became a frequent occurrence. As 1969 dawned, a mere thirty-two percent of Americans stood in favor of the war. The anti-war movement's voice grew ever louder, culminating in a massive demonstration as a quarter of a million protesters marched on Washington, D.C., to decry the war. This fervor was fueled, in part, by the fact that the Vietnam War became the first conflict to be televised extensively. Nightly broadcasts delivered stark and unflinching images of the war's brutality into the homes of Americans, laying bare the harsh realities of the conflict.

Literary Style

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Setting

Sticks and Bones unfolds as a darkly comedic drama, deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the late 1960s United States. The setting, while unnamed, is often inferred to be the suburban heartland, suggested by stage directions and critics alike. Within these confines, the story orbits around the domestic sphere of Ozzie, Harriet, and their sons, David and Rick. Their home, a testament to sleek modernity, echoes the polished sheen of a magazine spread. The narrative often plays out in the family’s living room and kitchen—spaces both intimate and communal, where family members frequently gather and disperse. David's room, a secluded corner of the home, serves as his sanctuary from familial conflicts. The choice of these locations intensifies the dramatic undercurrents and thematic explorations of the...

(This entire section contains 241 words.)

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play.

Symbolism

The play is a tapestry woven with rich symbolism. Characters themselves transform into living symbols, with the Asian Girl standing out as the most conspicuous. Her visibility fluctuates, observed only by select characters at certain moments, and her demise at Ozzie's hands represents the family's rejection of what David has come to symbolize. David himself embodies the haunting legacy of Vietnam, reflecting the turmoil inflicted on young Americans who returned from the war. His literal blindness starkly juxtaposes his family's ethical myopia. The play also employs tangible symbols, such as the burgeoning presence of plants throughout the home, which suggests an encroaching, jungle-like presence, echoing David's harrowing experiences in Vietnam.

Compare and Contrast

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1969: The United States finds itself entangled in the complexities of the Vietnam War, a conflict that many Americans believe their nation should have bypassed.

Today: In the wake of the Vietnam War's conclusion, where communists claimed victory, the United States has shied away from engaging in protracted and large-scale military conflicts.

1969: As the years roll by, countless U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War return to a homeland that struggles to understand them, often meeting them with indifference and rejection.

Today: Standing solemnly in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Memorial serves as an enduring reminder of the sacrifices made by American soldiers, ensuring their valor is forever etched in memory.

1969: Amidst the turmoil, a handful of authors and veterans like Rabe begin to pen their Vietnam War experiences and perceptions, though their voices remain few.

Today: An abundance of films, books, and plays delves into the Vietnam War, exploring its events from myriad perspectives, with new interpretations emerging continually.

1969: The structure of the American family is witnessing a seismic shift as marriage ages rise, divorces become more prevalent, and the feminist movement sweeps across the nation, reshaping the lives of many women.

Today: Several transformative trends of the late 1960s have become ingrained in societal norms, with marriage ages still climbing, divorce rates remaining significant, and a vast number of women actively participating in the workforce.

Media Adaptations

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On the 17th of August, 1973, CBS ventured into bold territory as it broadcast a provocative and daring adaptation of Sticks and Bones. This groundbreaking production bore the distinct direction of Robert Downey, Sr., setting it apart as a work of art that challenged the norms.

Bibliography and Further Reading

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SOURCES

Barnes, Clive. Review of Sticks and Bones, in New York Times, March 2, 1972, p 33.

Gottfried, Martin. "Sticks and Bones: A Staking and Original Play," in Women's Wear Daily, November 8, 1971.

Kauffmann, Stanley. Review of Sticks and Bones, in The New Republic, December 4, 1971.

Rabe, David. Sticks and Bones, in The Vietnam Plays, Volume One, Grove Press, 1993.

Tallmer, Jerry. "Casualty, America," in New York Post, March 2, 1972.

Watt, Douglas, "Sticks and Bones Brings the Vietnam War Home," in Daily News, November 8, 1971.

Watts, Richard. "Soldier's Homecoming," in New York Post, November 8, 1971.

FURTHER READING

Karnow, Stanley, Vietnam A History, Viking Press, 1983.
This history of the Vietnam War provides a balanced explanation of events, considering all sides.

Kohn, Philip C., David Rabe: A Stage History and a Primary and Secondary Bibliography, Garland, 1988, pp. 29-43.
A section outlines various productions of and critical response to Sticks and Bones, including international.

Santoh, Albert, ed., Everything We Had: An Oral History of the Vietnam War by Thirty-Three American Soldiers Who Fought It, Random House, 1981.
This nonfiction book provides a first hand account of the war, including personal experiences of soldiers.

Zinman, Tony, David Rabe: A Casebook, Garland, 1991.
This book includes an interview and nineteen articles that cover many of Rabe's plays, including Sticks and Bones.

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