The Boys Next Door.

It was interesting reading a play this time and changing up the style of literature. It made me think of the days in high school when I worked on stage crew for a school play. So much goes into bringing literature (in these cases a well-written play) to life. Costumes, props, stage set-up, scenery, backgrounds, voice inflection, makeup, musical effects, and more influence the portrayal of the words in a play. All these things add to the audience's experience of the script.

Reading the italicized notes within The Boys Next Door is one of my favorite parts. It helps me imagine the setting. It helps me picture the characters' outfits, expressions, gestures, personalities, and interactions. 

"In the tub! In the tub! In the tub!"

This part (page 9) made me laugh. The childlike scheming fails as Jack, the father figure, walks in. The guys (Arnold and Lucien) are so proud of their plan, yet the reader (or audience) knows it will never work. Their following improvisation of hiding boxes under their shirts is not just hilarious; it also shows their innocence. They don't have involved, manipulative plans. They probably aren't even capable of pulling off a big lie. But that is just what I am starting to like about these characters. 

"ARNOLD. Shut the door! No! No, wait. We need a plan. We need an airtight plan. Rats are sneaky. That's why everybody says, "You sneaky rat." We can't waste any time. Norman, shut off the lights. First thing, we'll blind him. Go on, shut 'em off! (Norman shuts off the lights. The flashlights still glow.) Now, Lucien, count to three, then shut the door. Very easy. Don't let him know where you are."

This is another scene that was both humorous yet significant. My first response here was that I think I'd really enjoy seeing this play in person. Then I started thinking about the characters. With an understanding the capacities of the mentally retarded, this is an honest portrayal of how they think. It makes me smile. This was a situation they could handle in their own way. They didn't have to call Jack. They didn't run away and weren't scared by the animal. From spotting the rat to flushing it down the toilet, they took control and did what they needed to do.

Barry.

Barry is a classic example of a mentally handicapped person thinking he is a pro. His thing is golf, and he knows all about it. He doesn't actually play very much, but he wants to teach people how to play and appreciate the finer side of golf--not just hitting the ball. He charges for his lessons, though it is an insignificant amount. He reads the paper without the funnies. He sees himself as sophisticated, but (so far at least) his character does not seem to think he's better than his housemates or anyone else. This is a quality which many handicapped people seem to have, and it's a great example. 

As I'm thinking about plays as literature right now, my appreciation for them is increasing. This is an exciting and direct way of bringing literature to life, and I love that. It's no wonder that Shakespeare is such an important literary figure to this day. Then I think of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and am reminded how well-read that title is and how it has been turned into captivating movies. I recently watched the modern Pride and Prejudice and was talking with some friends about how much we enjoy the dialogue. It makes the movie unique, deep, intelligent, and entertaining. Though I didn't think about it at the time, I now see that what we were actually talking about was literature.