Political Correctness in Oleanna Essay - 686 Words

Re-read Act 2 from page 43 (JOHN and CAROL seated across the desk from each other.) to page 48 (CAROL: It’s â€Å"ludicrous†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ?). Examine how Mamet presents political correctness in this extract and elsewhere in the play. Political correctness features prominently within the play. Political correctness was seen as a highly controversial issue in the late 1980s to the early 1990s and was argued within a 1992 essay collection, debating political correctness, that it was â€Å"The most important discussion in American education†. This was perhaps due to the numerous amounts of opinions on whether or not political correctness was right. Political correctness repressed people’s abilities to freedom of speech and therefore there were many differing†¦show more content†¦However, this does contrast to Mamet’s view as he said about John and Carol that he thinks â€Å"they’re both absolutely wrong, and they’re both absolutely right†. The idea of elitists always getting their own way links to later on in the play, when John uses the expletives, â€Å"bitch† and â€Å"cunt†. It is suggested that John is perhaps mocking Carol by using the expletives, as he is being politically incorrect. While Carol tries to enforce political correctness, John dismisses it due to the hubris that he holds, which in Greek Mythology, excessive arrogance was called hubris. In the extract, it appears that John recognises the mistakes that he has made. However, he makes no effort to change his ways, possibly due to the lack of control that he has over himself and his lack of ability to change his ways, â€Å"I don’t mean to subject you to my weak sensibilities† It doesn’t seem to be an apology from John, and therefore just a passing statement. This again reinforces his lack of willing, to change. This links back to Act one, when John’s use of declaratives and pronouns portrays his confidence and control over Carol, â€Å"Let’s take the mysticism out of it, shall we? Carol? Don’t you think?†. This lack of conforming to political correctness links to a speech that president George Bush gave in 1991, where he spoke out against â€Å"a movement which would declare certain topics ‘off limits’.† In the extract, John also comments, â€Å"I find that I am sexist.Show MoreRelatedâ€Å"the Mode rn Academy Raging in the Dark† Essay968 Words   |  4 PagesSummary of â€Å"The Modern Academy Raging In The Dark† by Richard Badenhausen In David Mamet’s Oleanna, the inclusion of the controversial topics of gender conflict, sexual harassment and political correctness in colleges led most critics to point to these as the main themes of the play. A year before it the play appeared, the Clarence Thomas-Hill controversy had occurred, helping push these issues in the play to the forefront of reader’s minds. However, the â€Å"difficulties of acquiring and controllingRead MoreEssay on Supreme Court of the United States and Carol Questions822 Words   |  4 PagesRe-read Act 1 from page 34 (Carol: What do you think?) to the end of page 41. Discuss how Mamet presents the significance and the effects of misunderstanding in this extract and at least one other point in the play. Throughout David Mamet’s ‘Oleanna’ the effects of misunderstanding is a central theme. You could say that John’s incapability to listen to and understand Carol’s situation is the reason for the miscommunication in this extract. Whilst Carol is getting upset and tries to explain herRead MorePersuasive Essay On Freedom Of Speech758 Words   |  4 PagesHowever to seek to ban the offensive opinions of others is an assault on freedom of speech and freedom of thought. This belief has disrupted our education process, made us lose our sense of security, and it’s killing the american dream. Political correctness has in some ways leveled the playing field in schools. Is this a good thing? Your high performers have to take it down a notch so everyone can be included. It diminishes team performance and doesn’t cultivate leaders. Everything has to be filteredRead MoreOleanna by David Mamet926 Words   |  4 Pagesconversation. But the telephone also provides a pause in the conversation as the characters react to the call, this also gives the audience time to gather opinions of characters and catch up with the quick and often hyperbolical â€Å"Mamet speech†. Oleanna although devoid of any meaningful and normal speech forces the audience to communicate. The play stimulates discussion. Mamet wants us to question their values of Society. We see that both characters like chalk and cheese. They share a profound