Michel Vinaver Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Michel Vinaver - Essay Example When he left Gillette in 1986, he was an acclaimed playwright and writer. The story comes across as a contemporary, issue-based relationship between a mother and her 17-year old son. However, the relationship goes through testing times as a result of the son, 1Philippe's tryst with drugs and his arrest in this connection. His mother, Helena wishes to communicate reason to her son. The stark difference in the attitude of the characters does not need reason. The reasons exist, but they are not tackled in the play. Vinaver takes the scene right across the audience and uncannily tests their power of imagination. Strangely enough the audience comfortably lap up the reason. The scene is right out of the normal home where there is a teenaged son. The catch is in the way the scenes are presented in bits and pieces. The audience is at the edge grappling with the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle when all of a sudden there is a move, a particular scene that provides a breakthrough. The reaction is almost the thrilling climax of a long and difficult journey (Factors Unforeseen). Helena is concerned about her son's misbehavior. However, she is not keen on losing her son and so does everything possible to make him understand without rocking the boat. She does not want to lose him. On the other hand, Philippe is not too keen on snapping the relationship either. His behavior and attitude may show signs of the coming moment when he is all ready to break out of his mother's confining influence. However, he does not do it. What he does is, however, criminal. The disjoint in the big picture is very clear. The audience wants this breach to be cleared. The happy ending is elusive. Vinaver is master stroke player in the realm of presentations. He may not be the ideal narrator. He does not provide a commentary. However, he makes his world by fitting in the pieces rather than do it one-step-at-a-time. He is adept at keeping the audience in humor although he does not allow them to ease down on the suspense. The glass pieces in the kaleidoscope may change in form and colo r. But he uses the time element to project the solutions in sharp, almost quixotic variations. Philippe may do all that Helena does