Summer_of_the_Seventeenth_Doll

Aging cannot be helped. It happens. Then why fear it when you know it is unavoidable' Few people know how to be old. You can't hide your true colours as you approach the autumn of your life and whilst youth is a disease from which we all eventually recover we must also learn to accept that the key to change... is to let go of fear, that is, a fear of growing old or a fear of moving on in life. Such fears can strongly be seen in the play, “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll”. The author Ray Lawler had demonstrated a variety of themes and ideas through his famous Australian play and from the beginning to the end of this speech I intend to take you all on a unique journey through two main ideas that are exerted and constructively used throughout the text type. These include the theme of aging and time and the strange concept of ideals and dreams verses reality. One particular excerpt of the play that seemed to demonstrate these two themes to a superiorly high standard was that of Act 3 scene 1 where Emma's talk to Roo spells out to him a lot of what is really happening. He finally comes to terms with getting old and moving on. In this scene we see how far away Roo is in his own fantasy world where he is still at the top of his game before Emma finally brings him back into reality. For example, when Roo states, ‘I ain’t old! Old is - what you are, and - and -…Tony Moreno.’ In this quote the author firstly uses colloquial language to emphasis Roo’s strong desire to remain young and it also continues to give the play a distinctly Australian appeal. Secondly, Lawler gives the character a desperate tone, to demonstrate his longing to stay in his own make believe world, during his prime. The concept of Ideals and dreams verses Reality can also be viewed throughout the rest of the play. One particular character that constantly journey’s into this idea is the genuine and surprisingly loyal character, Olive. Throughout the story she struggles to live with society in reality, instead she chooses to live in her own fantasy world. For example, in act 1 Olive proudly announces, ‘The regulars’d stand aside to let’em through, just as if they were a – a couple of Kings.’ In this quote Lawler cleverly uses a metaphor to highlight and outline Olive’s fantasy ideals about the lay-off season to the audience. Overall, Olive’s unique journey into this theme causes her to breakdown in the end of the play and we therefore feel pity for her as this concept slowly develops through the text. The second theme seen especially in this excerpt is that of aging and time. As an audience we witness how Roo comes to terms with his age and the time he has wasted in his imaginary world. For example, in the quote, ‘I didn’t mean you was up for the pension. But you ain’t seventeen anymore, either. Look, sit down a minute. Strikes me you don’t know what’s hit you, do you'’ The suspicious and questioning tone that lawler has created for Emma in this statement shows us all Emma’s curiosity of Roo’s ideal age and his powerful unwillingness to live the so called norm of society. This idea has also been seen developed throughout many other parts of the text. For example, towards the very end of the play Roo declares to Olive, ‘Y’Know a man’s a fool to treat you as a woman. You’re nothing but a little girl about twelve years old.’ This remorseful tone being used by Roo recognizes the obvious contrast between the two characters. Roo’s realization that their ideal world has been shattered and Olive’s incomprehension that the ‘world’ was only temporary. In addition, the small metaphor used in this quote helps to verify both of the characters hardships with change and aging in society. In conclusion, this text is about how ordinary people hurt in themselves, how they can hurt one another, and how people are reluctant to change - a human flaw that sadly resides, to some extent, in everyone. This, consequently, is why such a theme can be developed so thoroughly throughout a play, and in such interesting detail. Finally as an audience we must also pose a question as to what kind of message Lawler wished to convey through these specific themes. So now I ask you all to take a brief moment to retrieve your own personal message from this famous Australian play.