This helps me better understand the whole Simpsons discussion in the beginning, as they as a group collectively spare such detail and humor surrounding the episode due to their time spent in quarantine. I believe this takes place over 70 years into the future, in which it makes sense on why they contain such enthusiasm and nostalgia when going over what our modern society just considers "a silly cartoon". To them it is more than that, but a small token from the past, a time before their present day that is presumably filled with lost and tragedy. The Simpsons simply served as a small form of light during a time of adversity in their lives, in which we can all relate to during our own time time spent in a pandemic. Although I can not understand the obsession with Simpsons, I as an audience member can at least connect to the play through some shared experience.

This kind of dialogue between friends discussing something they all love is relatable. However, I find it quite odd that they can recount detail by detail, montage by montage, as if they have each watched it more than a thousand times. Its not naturalistic at times and forces me to think they may have been restricted from such entertainments in their futuristic world. Why are they discussing the Simpsons in such great detail? Is this to feed the audience with information that will be later relevant in Act 3 (As they are noted to wear Simpson costumes) Hmmm we will see

I'm not sure if "Lachrymosa' is the title of the original song playing inspired by Mozarts Requiem. Either way the title and song fit the scene, as lachrymose means tearful, and requiems are played at masses to honor the souls of the dead.

This line alone triggered me lol. It's the typical misogynistic kind of response stemmed from "masculine" concepts of violence and war. It forces us to think about the universal issue experienced commonly by men, in which they often believe their emotional needs and desires injures their sense of masculinity, pride, and ego. However, it is this denial that only enables further cycles of hate and war, that in which are concepts characterized and embraced by the "manliest of men".

The altered setting upon the town's businesses the start of Act 1 and Act 2 establishes a sense of tension and conflict. The closed line of shops displays the severe financial impact on the people, generated by the newly founded Republic of China. This play does a great job with textually setting up the current political climate upon each act, however I can only imagine how well these details would translate on stage, and further be understood by audiences.

This line somewhat introduces to us to the play's political issue of poverty that is characterized by Silly Yang. The opening monologue visually stimulates for audiences a positive environment (in regards to the cafe) with descriptions such as "a booming business, and trade is brisk" This line so quickly contrasts the previously established and forces us to think deeper about his life as a beggar, as well as beyond to the extent of the play's political climate

I've always hated this ending of both of them dying, however nevertheless appreciate it, as musical theatre often strays away from such "sad" but "realistic" endings. Although Audrey 2 is not real, she represents many universal concepts, such as domination, corruption, greed, and power. The audience is left on their toes and are forced to think of the show following its conclusion.

This is the first time that Seymour expresses anger and hatred for anyone. He has been painted as a 'nerdy/ introvert' through a stereotype, but through these lines we can finally see his inner feelings for Audrey (he wants to protect her). He will go as far as murder, to rid of Orin and his abuse. Ultimately this song, highlights his character development and transition into a more confident Seymour in act 2.

This made it clear to me that the character wants nothing more but to be hated by the doctor and audience, as this is merely just a projection of their own self hate and anger towards the world. The narrator also removes themselves from the topic of discussion by taking the blame for actions committed by disfavored figures.They also ask for the doctor to look away from them, suggesting they fear vulnerability and taken responsibility. I thought this was interesting because most often as audiences we are forced to pity the mentally ill and depressed however this line aims to accomplish the opposite. Its almost as if they are also trying to form a justification (and convince themselves) around the belief that they are not "worthy" or "deserving" of life.

This scattered format of numbers left me curious of its significance and inclusion in the play (especially its random following after such somber and deep thought revealed by the narrator). These numbers could possibly symbolize the amount of passing days or hours till their planned suicide, as suggested by their prior declaration of death. I also could not help but notice the lack of character names/ differentiation of characters amongst the dialogue, in which I had primarily assumed it symbolized the character's lack of self identity as a 'hermaphrodite'. The format throughout was also kind of weird, as some lines have single/ double spacing and are written with/ without dash marks. Could this unstructured text symbolize a concept related to the symptoms of depression, (scattered thoughts, lack of rational, and isolation from reality) contrast inner monologue vs spoken dialogue ,or just plainly conceived as a form of modernism?

Quite interesting how the play ends how it started; with a rope over Antigona's neck. She understood both then and now her dissonance from her expected role as a woman in society. She also in some way takes back her power against Creon, by determining her method of death, as well as restores a sense of justice for Polynices by refusing being pardoned by King Creon.

I recognized this song from Hamlet upon the scene of Ophelia grieving her fathers death. It is evident from early on that character Antigone dabbles around with the concept of death, suggested by her holding a rope around her neck and bursting into song. It seems as if she isn't take the circumstances of death seriously or hasn't yet faced the actuality of it. Either way, we are forced to question her sanity. I am also curious about her white dress, is she getting married or is this some sort of symbolism of purity?

I can not help but wonder the significance of the word "God", as it is repeated multiple times. Audiences might infer that the plot takes place amongst a highly religious society, as the characters often refer to God in judgement of others and themselves. With this line, we can even further suggest that the people don't believe in a fulfilled life until after death, and in complete union with God. Or it could be possible that the word God is a metaphor for a bigger theme or lesson.

I found it interesting that the play begins upon his introduction as Galy Gay and concludes at the one of Jeraiah Jip. I also had noted that although he verbally identifies as another person, his character name remains the same throughout the entirety of the script. This represents the conflict between his perpetual being and fabricated persona. By later introducing himself with the full name of his false identity, the audience can infer that he has gotten lost in the midst of his lies and no longer associates the name with an actual person.

How funny is it that the real Jip must hide from their sergeant because they believe that his patch of missing hair would reveal that they were thieves. This establishes a comedic tone, however also one of fear, as audiences gain some sense of the extent of consequences amongst the military.

This reminded me of Romeo and Juliet, in regards to their shared forbidden love that leads them to death. As an audience member, I could not help but to feel for Zoe and her unfortunate circumstances. I could understand why she directly took control of her life, rather than leaving the odds open to fate and slavery. I could further sympathize with her misery and fear of living a life controlled/ abused at the hands of white men who viewed her to be inferior.

This leaves me to wonder if M'Closky holds such hatred for the Peyton's due to his (weird) obsession with Zoe or his jealously of their financial status. Ultimately, we can speculate that they possess some type of shared past, which has sparked M'Closky's pursuit towards bringing down his estate and taking possession of Zoe. (revealed by him searching through the drawers)) He strategically is now able to get what he wants, knowing of Zoe's secret kept enslavement and Peyton's remaining debt. (Kind of life blackmail)

This song is such a beautiful representation of young sexual identification and discovery. The title "Ring of Keys" initially made me think of young children's senses and how they thoroughly perceive the outer world. It makes total sense the young Alison (as most kids do) would notice all the little details ( such as the ring of keys, her swagger, and lace up boots) of a masculine lesbian that she can identify with. I also loved the pure innocence displayed by her usage of words such as "handsome" and "beautiful", that in which demonstrates her unfamiliarity but fascination with this kind of woman.

This reveals Alison's internal struggle with her father in regards to his lack of affection towards his children and kept materialistic values. By directly granting the audience with an insight into her past (innocent young Alison being neglected by her father), we can further sympathize with her and understand how her childhood struggles have emotionally translated into her adult life. Alison appears to be trying to grieve the death of her father, however simultaneously must also face her inner conflicts. We also are able to get a sense of their family dynamic and behaviors, that in which many can relate to.

This moment was quite disturbing for me, as it foreshadows Marie's murder and displays Woyzeck's driven madness. It has become clear at this point that Woyzeck has highly suffered mentally and physically, as result of taking part in a medical trial. He not only experiences visual hallucinations, but has now gone on to hear voices in his head that encourage violence/ irrationality. Although he displays quite a few alarming behaviors, the audience can almost sympathize with him, as he is humiliated and victimized through the trials/ affair.

technically what would be considered a"bastard" child

This opening scene immediately establishes a tone of paranoia, as well as sets a deep contrast amongst characters Andres and Woyzeck. Audiences are further grasped in with the mystery surrounding the subject/reasoning for Woyzeck's hallucinations versus Andre's odd comfortability and disregard of his companion's emotions. Upon primarily reading, I had assumed this was a display of their subjective forms of PTSD from war, considering that we are informed of the fact that they are soldiers. It also forced me to think that Woyzeck is inferior to Andre, due to such lack of confidence and assurance.

she had her child out of wedlock

This is very important to understanding Miss Julie's character development (heavily influenced by her childhood) She inherited her mother's feminist beliefs of making a man your "slave" and did so in her marriage. However, I find it quite interesting how she so easily submits to Jean and displays her sexual attraction towards him. She was so quickly willing to have sex with him, but knew of the possible circumstances (such as a ruined reputation) I do not think she truly hates men, but rather projects what was so strongly emphasized to her since birth.

Upon reading this I immediately associated the bird with Miss Julie. She experienced a domesticated/ sheltered but privileged life, as the bird in the cage did. The death of the canary foreshadows Miss Julie's, in which each die when faced with independence and Jean's financial greed. Each ultimately symbolize the oppressed nature of woman and high value of wealth amongst their current society.

The modern playwrights were controversial because they aimed to expose the universal human condition. By doing so, audiences were forced to publicly face unspoken truths (why people hated it so much), but further heal and apply gained lessons. (why its still so loved)

Osborne's play Look Back in Anger brought back such traction to west end theatre, with what was once was considered controversial prior to modern theatre: illuminating political/ social issues of current generations. It seems to be clear that audiences much rather be touched emotionally than distracted with temporary amusement.