In our modern world there are many things that influence us every day. We take in more information than ever and need to be able to sift through it to find what is real and reliable and not let the false information influence us. In the play The Shape of Things Adam does not exhibit literacy and is easily influenced by Evelyn and her falsified feelings toward him. This play shows us the importance of social literacy in our daily life.
Many people will say that that Eve's actions are uncalled for and cruel. And while it is important to realizes the emotional tole an event like this could put on a person. I do believe that something like this would be wrong it does not appear that he was very impacted. This statement would be based on people apply their own emotions to the situation. I believe that when we separate ourselves and remove the application of our own emotions to Adam it is obvious that he was not emotionally hurt. There isn't really any evidence of Adam having any emotions other than being deeply surprised at Eve's reveal. Because of the outcome I do not have a problem with Eve's project.
While Evelyn's manipulation may not be moral it is important to realize her intentions being to make an interesting project which I believe she accomplished. This coupled with the lack of emotion that Adam shows after it is revealed to him that their relationship was fake reinforces my belief that Eve did not do anything wrong. She stayed within her right and made an interesting art project without crossing the line and seriously harming her subject. For these reasons I do not believe it is appropriate to call Eve a villain.
That was very interesting take on the play and on Evelyn. I never thought of it in that way and honestly you are right, he was just very surprised at the reveal. But think of yourself in this situation, it definitely would emotionally hurt after being played and there would be sheer embarrassment. So I don't think she is an evil villain, but I also don't consider her a kind person either.
ReplyDeleteVery good point that Adam doesn't seem to be affected much by Evelyn's actions. I personally don't think that necessarily excuses her actions, but it seems to be the case here that nothing too bad came out of the whole situation.
ReplyDeleteThe play did show what happens in a everyday for normal people. I can see that. It shows what can happen to the people that do follow every influence on them.
ReplyDeleteI id not think about this at all, very good perspective. This changes my whole view on everything.
ReplyDeleteBut it is troubling that Eve could be so detached from hurting Adam so badly because she wanted to make great art and was uncompromising in trying to make it (not interested in the "Ethic of Caring"). This would be something you could explore in another paragraph (remember, 4 paragraphs are required here).
ReplyDeleteAny way, I hope we can agree Labute's play is great art--it is uncomfortable, makes us think, and brings to light something that beneath the surface. I think the strong female character is an added bonus. I suspect if Eve was a guy and Adam was a girl, we'd take less issue with the manipulation that went on.
I don't think using humans and manipulating them should be labeled as art. It is torture!. Hurting someone, physically or emotionally, should never be a form of art.
ReplyDeleteEven though Adam was the last one to have a say on his final decision, Eve should have not been to put the options in his head in the first place. She knew what words to use and what to say; clearly using manipulation
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