So, I think I am going to go for the more challenging
question and tackle why D'Amour's play is called Detroit? My first assumption before reading it, which was soon
proven wrong, was that the play was set in Detroit, Michigan. Though as you
mentioned, it is especially odd because D'amour describes in the setting that
the play is set "not necessarily [in] Detroit." D'amour follows that
statement with: "However, we are in a 'first ring' suburb outside of a
mid-sized American city." So, the city of Detroit could definitely qualify
as being the setting. Having said all of that, I believe the play is called Detroit because Detroit is a city that
suggests such concern over the economy like no other city. Detroit went from
being a huge money- maker to one of the poorest cities in the country. It went
from being extremely populated to extremely deserted. Money is a huge topic of
conversation in D'amour's play. For example, the way Mary tries to present her
home to her guests by showing off expensive foods. Also, the way Kenny and
Sharon are beyond poor with not but two pieces of furniture in their house.
When I think about the city of Detroit, I think about the economy and money. I
think about the people who left Detroit because there was no money to be made,
and the people who stayed in Detroit, who grew dirt poor. It also makes me
think about how the people who stayed in Detroit after the economy crashed,
probably stayed because it was their home. It was not about the money, but
about neighbors and family. The title, Detroit,
pertains to not only the financial state of the city itself, but also the community
that once made up the city, and the community that makes up the city today.
I like your explanation of why Detroit is set in Detroit (well that sounded weird). But I have a few thoughts to throw at you. Do you think that maybe the characters Kenny and Sharon come from the city into the suburb? Maybe the city of Detroit itself, given its recent issues with proper public service facets like firefighters, medical, or police force, has not only driven Kenny and Sharon to drugs, but also driven them to try and abandon their city to pick up something new, to experience some new life like the suburban life? Did crime and drug habits drive them away from the city without a choice or purpose or did they choose to come to the suburban area with a set purpose in mind?
ReplyDeleteJosh, that has been my underlying confusion for this play. It always made sense to me to compare the current economic situation of Detroit to the financial and social deterioration of the characters, and it makes sense to think that the play could be set in Detroit. The tension in my head comes from the fact that, when someone thinks of Detroit (especially in a negative light), who thinks of suburbs? Maybe this is just my ignorance, but it is very odd to me that this play is set in the first ring of suburbs and not the streets downtown. Your questions really spark my curiosity.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the social deterioration of the characters definitely relate to the reputation that Detroit has as a city. It is interesting to me why the playwright would choose to choose such a specific name if she didn't intend meaning behind it. Giving the director the choice to set it anywhere to me is kind of a cop-out.
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