I think there is a
pretty simple explanation as to why the play is called Detroit. It’s stated by D’Amour in the description of the setting
that the houses do not necessarily have to be in Detroit. They can be houses
anywhere as long as they are in rundown subdivisions in the inner ring of the
city. The houses are “fix me up” residences and non permanent homes. I think
Detroit is more of a reference for how the play is supposed to look. It is a
place that we know to be run down and no longer in its prime. It is a place of
sorrow and poverty and desolation. That is what we are supposed to think of
when watching this play. The sorrow and poverty of these characters stuck in a
black hole of a place such as Detroit. This black hole could be anywhere. It
could be anyone. Detroit is just easy for us to visualize. Also, I think there
is an important allusion to the title at the end, when Mary says that the
neighbors could be anyone. This is the same with the place. Just because it is
called Detroit doesn’t mean it takes
place in Detroit. Just because Kenny says his name is Kenny, doesn’t actually
mean that’s his name. The idea is that these people could be anyone anywhere.
This is the same with the title. The title simply gives a world in which to
present these characters. An idea of the kind of life these people are living.
By giving us something familiar to work with, like the conditions of Detroit,
we are able to see these characters for who they really are. For instance, no
one in Detroit would actually bring caviar to a barbeque.
I like your idea of how Detroit seems to be just an example. It’s something that I touch on a bit in my blog, but you push it a little further and said something that struck me as interesting and that is that just because Kenny says his name is Kenny does not mean his name is actually Kenny. These declining cities can be anywhere at anytime with anyone. It is a little ambiguous for a reason. Almost like maybe D’Amour is trying to tell us something… Almost like D’Amour is trying to warn us about the soon downfall of American Citi… eh, probably not. Question for you Quincy: Where else would be a good place to set this play if the only change of the play is in its location?
ReplyDeleteI like how you, like me, are focusing on the accessability of Detroit. It really is a state of mind, rather than a location.
ReplyDeleteMy question is why did she pick Detroit? Why not Oakland or another city in decline?
This makes me realize that I overthink things way too much. I like your idea of Detroit just being an example of how the city is supposed to look. That's why the play doesn't actually have to be set in Detroit. I think most people our age are automatically confused about the name. We never saw the city when it was an economic capital with it's booming car industry. I think it is definitely easier for older people to visualize Detroit as the declining city, and everyone can understand it's current ruin. I think she used Detroit because it is one of the few well known cities that fits the dynamic of the setting.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool how you linked the fact that the play was called Detroit for the same reason that Kenny's name was Kenny; it really doesn't matter what the name of the character of Kenny or the entire play is, because both the setting and the character of Kenny are completely easy to identify. It's also cool how you highlighted the fact that people our age reading this contemporary play never did recognize Detroit's golden age, so I guess we have an advantage in terms of us being able to visualize this play's setting.
ReplyDeleteAgain this is another thing I had said in another comment post :), you basically clarified what we spoke of in class. Just as Kate said, it is interesting that you use such a simple example as a name. Name is of no relevance as much as the understanding of the story and references. Everyone basically referenced things that would be kind of silly to repeat since it's been said. I agree with your statement. I suppose it makes sense as the name is just linking us to it's history and the overall environment we fall into while seeing the play.
ReplyDelete