Discussion Question #17

[captainjacksparrow]

Originally Posted by Karen 27th April 2004

The second to the last scene has a ton of good bits of dialogue and
plot moving devices as Jeffreys is winding the story arc to it's BIG ending.
There are so many things that happen here, I don't want to zero in on
just one, so let's hit them all. First off, I LOVE the he and Lizzie
discuss his winning the bet from George. Rochester has remade Lizzie
and now he wants her to leave the theater, this leads to great
dialogue and scenes where we find out that Lizzie is having his
child. Which is your favorite scene here and why? How did it move
you? Was it delivered by Rochester or by Lizzie ....or was it the
combined energy between the 2 people? Why do you thing Jeffreys
included it the way he did?

[jeppody]

Ellen


I don't know if I have a "favorite" but I was really moved when
Johnny and Lizzie were discussing her having his baby. Johnny
says "This is not like the other children. This is the child of our
passion-". I think that's really sad that Johnny had, what seems to
me, NO feelings at all for his children with his wife, but he seems
to think he'll have feelings for this one. It's beyond my
comprehension that his children meant nothing to him. I think he
believes that he'll love this one becasue it comes from "passion".
He had to have had passion for his wife at one time, so why is this
different? I think it's different because with Johnny, it's always
about what HE wants, what HE needs, how HE feels. And, I think if
Lizzie would have agreed to quit the stage, be his wife and settle
down, he would have eventually done to her what he did to his wife
and kids. Left them for someone else he "fell in love with". I
feel for Lizzie, but am glad she has the intestinal fortitude to
walk away and make a life for herself and her unborn baby.

[jeppody]

Karen


I love Lizzy and Rochester's exchange when she tells him she
is carrying his child. That brought me to tears, she had indeed taken
the upper hand and was now in control. I also love when ROchester
says to Lizzie,"I CANNOT FORGIVE YOU FOR TEACHING ME TO LOVE LIFE."

Wow! Later he says to Molly Luscombe, "I don not live until I see her
on again."
Rochester is truly a suffering man. I think the dialogue at the end
of the scene by Alcock, may sum Rochester up pretty well. What moved
y'all? Was is sorrow, pity, anger, love

[jeppody]

Ellen


I don't think I have any dialogue from Alcock that sums up Rochester.

[jeppody]

Karen


Oops. sorry!! I had a sticky over the top of Alcock's dialogue, the
bit I was referring to is actually the opening of the last scene.
Too many stickies..........too little space. Sorry y'all!!

[jeppody]

Ellen


OK, got it now. I was laughing hysterically when I read that! What
a journey it must have been to hang with Rochester. The "Arsehole
way" was probably taken ALOT by Johnny and the wits. I think all
the emotions you mentioned moved me, except when it came to Johnny;
I just had a hard time thinking "love" when I thought of him.
Probably when it came to him, pity and anger came to mind. Pity for
realizing too late that he ruined not only his life but the life of
many around him. And I guess anger for the same reason. And then I
got mad at myself for pitying him!! Boy am I fickle! I know that I
will read this play over and over. I really enjoyed it. I learned
ALOT and now feel comfortable in discussions. Thanks to all on this
site. More than anything, I can't wait to see our boy in this
role. Can you say Oscar?

[jeppody]

Helen


He had to have had passion for his wife at one time, so why is this
different?

Ellen, I agree with everything you said with the exception of this sentence.
Rochester reminds me of Bill Wyman. They both married their wife to escape
prosecution. There wasn't any passion or love involved.

[jeppody]

Ellen


I'm beyond understanding how you can sleep with someone without
passion. It escapes me.