It was something about 4ooo miles that made me like it a little more. I guess it was all the weirdness, kissing your step-sister, smoking pot...it's your typical soap opera.
Anywho, there are many motifs found in 4ooo miles. The motif I want to discuss is the lack of communication or simply the disconnect of the characters. There are many back-slashes (/) found in the script. We are told that a back-slash means they are talking over one another or a sentence is started in the middle of someone's line. Its clear that if they are always talking over one another that they are not taking the time to fully listen and understand each other. Another perfect example of the lack of communication in this play is when Vera does not have her hearing at in during certain times of the play, especially when she is sitting through the explanation about Micah's death. There were more of mis-communication and a lack that of, clearly making it a motif in 4ooo miles.
I completely agree, I even wrote about disconnection in my blog post as well! You bring up a great point with the "/" and interruptions among the dialogue. We talked a lot in class about the hearing aid scene and Leo's heartfelt confession, and for good reason -- it is a GREAT example of the motif of disconnect.
ReplyDeleteOut of all the plays we read, this is by far my favorite. In the beginning, it sort of starts out boring, but I agree with you that as you read along it becomes more interesting vicariously living through Leo's journey, so to speak. And the back-slashes found in the script example really justifies the lack of communication the characters have with one another and helps develop the central theme of the play as well as the other examples you stated.
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