OLEANNA: Gender, education and power
essential question: What is the nature of power in Oleanna?
Aim: To start exploring the nature of power.
In 1991 civil servant Anita Hill accused Federal Judge Clarence Thomas of sexual misconduct in the workplace. In 1992, David Mamet's Oleanna was produced for the first time. The play has been connected to Hill/Thomas controversy because of the "he said/she said" nature of the debate. Below is a video clip of the hearing that was held to decide who was "right."
Please watch.
Clarence Thomas was cleared of all charges.
PROMPT:
In your drama journal, I'd like you to answer these two questions. You can base your answers on the above video, or you can pull from your own experience.
Where does power come from?
How do we know when we are in control?
You have 10 minutes to answer- when you're done please join the circle of love. We will continue this conversation tomorrow if need be.
HOMEWORK: Please read Act 1
Aim: To identify and describe the power Dynamics in act 1 oF oleanna
Below is the 1994 movie version of Oleanna. It was written and directed by David Mamet. As we watch, please keep looking for all the different ways power is exhibited between these two people.
Images of Power: THURSDAY/FRIDAY
AIM: To use our bodies to explore the power dynamic between John and Carol in Act 1.
Using your bodies and any prop you can find in the room, construct an image of the power dynamic between Carol and John as Act 1 progresses.
You can create up to 3 images if you need to, make sure you know how to move from one into the next.
The word DYNAMIC is important, even though the images are frozen, they should have multiple interpretations.
Keep in mind some of the things we talked about yesterday- how can you use your body to represent these ideas?
After watching these images- who do you think is in power during this first act and how do you think those power dynamics were set up?
HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEKEND: Read Act 2 and Answer the Questions Below
AIM: To use our bodies to explore the power dynamic between John and Carol in Act 1.
Using your bodies and any prop you can find in the room, construct an image of the power dynamic between Carol and John as Act 1 progresses.
You can create up to 3 images if you need to, make sure you know how to move from one into the next.
The word DYNAMIC is important, even though the images are frozen, they should have multiple interpretations.
Keep in mind some of the things we talked about yesterday- how can you use your body to represent these ideas?
After watching these images- who do you think is in power during this first act and how do you think those power dynamics were set up?
HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEKEND: Read Act 2 and Answer the Questions Below
ACT 2: Text Based Questions
1. In Act 2, what evidence can you find that Carol thinks John uses language to reinforce his superiority over her?
2. In Act 2, what evidence can you find that Carol uses language that she doesn't fully understand? In other words, where does Carol show she is not thinking entirely independently? Why is this significant?
1. In Act 2, what evidence can you find that Carol thinks John uses language to reinforce his superiority over her?
2. In Act 2, what evidence can you find that Carol uses language that she doesn't fully understand? In other words, where does Carol show she is not thinking entirely independently? Why is this significant?
Act 3: Analysis
What was your emotional state at the end of this play?
How do you think you were supposed to feel?
What happened to John's ability to speak in Act 3?
On page 18, Carol says, “I don’t understand.” And on page 42, John says, “I don’t understand.” Mamet does this very much on purpose. Why? What effect does Mamet create when he has two different individuals repeat the same line?
What was your emotional state at the end of this play?
How do you think you were supposed to feel?
What happened to John's ability to speak in Act 3?
On page 18, Carol says, “I don’t understand.” And on page 42, John says, “I don’t understand.” Mamet does this very much on purpose. Why? What effect does Mamet create when he has two different individuals repeat the same line?