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Drama 163 Jon Alston “Two takes on Guilt and Consequence” “No human action is without consequence, no human is without guilt.” Such a statement implies immense pessimism, and such a view of humanity itself implies that all of mankind entertains the same dreadful external circumstances. However, another view of such a statement implies sadness and empathy; as it could be read that all actions have a reaction, and that all of humanity makes mistakes as a result. It is true that both of these views hold merit, especially in regards to both “The Zoo Story” by Edward Albee, and Top Dog/ Underdog by Suzan Lori-parks. I intend to argue that in each of these plays, the aforementioned statement can be assessed by both described understandings of that statement. This, in turn, shines two very different lights on each play in which different readers are able to see. Consequence is defined as something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition; an effect. In Albee’s “Zoo Story” the play is driven by the actions and choices of its lead character and protagonist, Jerry. In this play we see the consequences of the actions that Jerry takes, and also those of Peter, the other main character of the play. Consequences do not always have to connote negativity. In “Zoo Story” however, the actions of the characters more often than not lead to negative circumstances. Yet, even so, if one were to try and understand the source of such actions, one may be more inclined to empathize with Jerry, and especially Peter. In regards to the major discussion in question, this play can be understood from two very different perspectives. The first suggests, that Jerry has gone insane, at one point exclaiming “I’m crazy, you bastard,” and as a result his actions are meant to cause harm, and these actions are a result of previous guilt, which were the result of prior actions accordingly. He states regret in regards to his interaction with his landlady’s dog (trying to appease, and then kill the dog), whereas his attempts to connect proved futile. He expresses that “kindness and cruelty… expressed together, at the same time, are the teaching emotion, and what is gained is loss.” Therefore, because of his guilt and inability to connect with people and animals, Jerry has given up hope, and chooses to antagonize Peter which eventually leads to his death. In a sense, one group of readers would say that because of the choices that Jerry made, he deserved to die, and that his guilt, a consequence (negative) of prior actions, does not justify the way in which he assaulted Peter.
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