After reading the first act of the Brighton Beach Memoirs you can notice many themes that occur. A theme that really stuck out to me was the tension throughout the family. After reading this act you already know that the Jerome family is a lower middle class family living in New York during 1937(depression era). They are facing many financial problems when three relatives join. Everyone has his or her own individual problems in the play. Some problems in the family include Stanley, who is the oldest son in the house. He was fired from his job and his trying to get it back. Stanley losing his job really puts the family in a bad financial situation. Also the tension Jack is under, who is the father of the family. Jack is forced to work two jobs just so he is able to support the family. The tension for Nora is her not being able to join a Broadway show because it would require her to drop out of school. Nora`s mother Blanche hesitates in letting her audition which makes Nora very upset. All of this always incites a fight between the sisters and other members of the family. Throughout the first act I felt the most important theme was tension. I`m not sure what will happen in the next act. In my opinion maybe some of the family`s problems will be solved. Such as the Stanley being rehired to his job. Also if Nora is allowed to audition for the play then that could provide more income for the family. I am looking forward to reading the next act.
I agree with the theme of the first act. Everybody in the house does have their own problems. Each one of them are struggling with something and stressing about something. I feel like Jack has the most worries as he is the man of the house and has to try and keep everyone in the house eating. He is the main one to take care of the people in the house. The tension is very strong in Act 1.
ReplyDeleteThe key for the family is to stick together through this financial struggle. With Jack as the dictator of the household not everyone will agree with his decisions. The worst thing the family can do is turn on each other.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell that all of the problems in the household makes it hard to live together. I feel bad for their father for having to take on the responsibility. All the stress that everyone is going through is definitely not good for the family. I hope that everyone can come together during act 2.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyle. Jack is out there working very hard with two jobs making sure he can support his family. I feel like he knows that if he doesn't support the family, they can go bankrupt. Everyone feeds off his energy. In the next act, if everyone sees him working hard, maybe they all will change their ways and do the same.
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