The Research So Far

So far I have just been researching since I want to collect more information before I start revising my first draft. I've been looking into articles and books about ambition, pride, loneliness, and the relationship between cancer patients and their doctors or caregivers. This will help me expand on my thesis and discuss the similarities and differences between Vivian and Jason.

I've found the ebrary to be very useful in helping me find books or articles that I can use and then letting me save them and mark the parts that are important for me. I think it will help a lot when I go to make the outline and revise because I will waste less time searching for the research that I've already done.

Checking In on Research

First off, I want to say thank you to Lizzi. The sources she found are helpful and she has really great ideas. I think I will be using a good number of the sources she provided.

I'm still thinking about what arguments will divide an educated audience for my thesis. I'm leaning toward the idea that while music does play a key role in showing character development, it's the silences that really give us the information we need about them.

I like the direction of focusing on music and using Wit as a supporting feature. I'm mulling over the idea of pulling in John Cage and 4'33" as another supporting example of the use of silence. I realized that I needed to go back to part of the film, near the end and analyze the use of the music particularly as the story reaches its climax. 

I'm still in the research phase and I've got a little more research still to do. By the end of tomorrow, I hope to be on to the paper writing full force. Mostly, though, I'm just glad to be writing about music.

Writing in Class to Blog-Essay

Mine isn't as complete as I would like. It takes me a long time to write these things.

Vivian Bearing is a Professor of 17^th Century Metaphysical Poetry by John Donne, from the film Wit. She has stage 4 ovarian cancer. Vivian herself takes on the role of narrator, as well as every other version of herself that she conjures up to help her tell her story. Although there are many ways to look at Vivian’s character, both the subtle and obvious uses of music and background sounds in the HBO film adaption of Wit contribute to the complexity and purpose of Vivian’s character.

Poetry Incarnate

With a bit more time, I really want to flesh out the ideas of this essay because they've got quite a bit of support that I could work in.  However, the time constraints have let me off the hook for now:)

Here's what we've got:

One of the most effective ways to learn is to take a concept about which you know nothing and compare it to something you understand well.  In Margaret Edson’s play, W;t, the protagonist, Dr. Vivian Bearing, is a hardened scholar who has devoted her life to studying the poetry of John Donne. Her world is upended after learning that she has cancer, and Vivian agrees to be studied and scrutinized in order to better understand the disease—just as she once picked apart Donne’s Holy Sonnets.  Throughout the story, Vivian recites lines from one poem in particular: Holy Sonnet X.  Edson ingeniously portrays Vivian herself as a form of metaphysical conceit—a physical representation for the meaning of the poem.

More Analysis

Preliminary Analysis of "Wit"

(1) Camera close-ups. Just in the first scene, the faces of Vivian and Dr. Kelekian take up the entire screen, which gives the audience the sense that they are meant to experience these scenes very personally.

(2) Breaking the fourth wall. Clearly this is written into the play, but Vivian's direct gaze into the camera draws in the audience and makes them part of the story. Our opinions matter. Even our attention to her story and its details matter, since she invites us to be part of it with her.

(2) Lighting. There is always a white light, whether from the window or a small light in or outside the room, but the light never shines directly on Vivian's face (at least while she is in the hospital).

(3) Music. The music reflects Vivian's experience--usually quieter, almost lethargic and nostalgic, with brief periods of tense and frantic chords.

(4) Flashbacks. Vivian's memories are seen in very real detail through her own eyes, so her memories and her current state is often intermixed. These experiences make up who she is, so they are seen in real time (in her current state).

(5) Emma Thompson's performance. Her acting emphasizes her relationship with Jason vs. Susie. Around Jason she is formal, stiff, and uncertain. He makes no effort to befriend her; when he gets engaged in conversation with her, it is to talk about his work and interests. Around Susie she gradually becomes more comfortable, even laughing with her. She is honest with Susie, even though emotions are difficult for her.

(7) The character of Jason. There are many thing to be said about Jason, but the thing that stuck out to me in the film was his obsession with cancer. He was fascinated with it because the cells multiplied endlessly, which is, as he says, "an error in judgment." The same thing can be applied to Jason himself as he makes crucial errors in judgement.

(8) The character of Susie. As with Jason, there are many things to be said about Susie. Almost ironically, it is Susie with her kindness who could have caused the experiment (Vivian's treatment) to be a success. She insisted that they have mercy on Vivian, but because the "experts" ignored her and Vivian's obviously horrendous condition, the treatment was a failure.

(9) Language. John Donne's poems mean everything to Vivian. She hides behind her words; we see her turn to poems in moments of distress or solitude. She turns to the poems for comfort and also for escape from her situation and from herself.

(10) Theme. There was a focus on knowledge and its cost--yes, it's beneficial to be inquisitive, but if the cost is humanity, then it is not worth the price.

I tried to keep these short and sweet so I wouldn't expand on/analyze anything too early in the writing process.
I could look at 7, 9, and 10. Both Jason and Vivian make an essential error in judgment by believing that getting information and gaining knowledge comes above all else. We see this in Vivian during her memories--she did not care about her students as much as she cared about the work they produced. Jason shows this through his narcissism and impersonal attitude with everyone--he cares only about his research and looking like the smartest person in the room at all times. We see that when their walls are dissolved--Vivian's words and Jason's perfect performance--they have to live with themselves. It is clear in seeing Vivian's deep regret and guilt that it isn't worth it to be smart if all personal connections are severed in the process. She pays the price later when she is the one being used for information and her well-being is not even considered.

Working Thesis Statements
(1) Both Jason and Vivian were consumed with the things that represented them best--Jason longed to increase his knowledge and status without restraint, and Vivian had planned to search within words forever for companionship, which she could never have found.

(2) Although they were both intelligent and ambitious, neither Jason nor Vivian could have found the answer to their most important questions because of their blinding pride and their solitary search.

(3) Although they both made great contributions to their respective fields, Susan had more success than Jason, since ultimately Jason's project failed when Vivian died while Susan excelled in her role as Vivian's nurse before and after her death.

5 Theses of Wit

Being specific is hard and I know I didn't succeed in that, though I could revise these into more specific theses. 

Thesis Statements

Here are my (albeit sloppy) proposed thesis statements for W;t. There are many important formal elements in this poem, but these are the ones that stood out to me.


[Policy]: Vivian's formal diction shows her complete devotion to her work, but she finds that words fail her when it matters most because she regrets not having worked with compassion and love.

[Definition]: Although it is not a prominent part of the play, the minimalist setting is a medium for major character development for Vivian, as shown through internal monologues and meaningful conversations.

[Comparison]: It is true that Vivian and Susie are very different characters at the beginning of the play, but the characters of both Jason and Susie show different aspects of Vivian's character as her progression is shown through flashbacks and conversations.

[Evaluation]: Each of the characters went into their careers because of their passion for the work, but Vivian and Jason through their selfishness and Susie through her compassion show that the most meaningful careers are created when done with love and goodness.

[Causal]: Although she found pride in her career, Vivian came to see at the end of her life that true joy comes through her relationships with others as she began to form and cherish true relationships.

Wit Impressions

Reading the play isn't my first encounter with Wit. I had seen the movie before I took this class. I enjoyed reading the play,  a lot. It gave me a chance to savor and think about the words. 

The stage directions, were very important. Included in that, Vivian breaks the fourth wall all the time. The play begins even, with the the house lights partially on. That is a significant choice on the part of the writer. It engages the audience more and tells them that they are a part of this. She also was to have her IV pole with her, throughout the play, no matter what the scene really was. 

Even the fact that some of the characters were supposed to double up as other characters, I felt was significant. It's as if these memories and flashbacks are just shadows, they're not really happening. They are a facade that Vivian is putting up over the top of everything that's going on around her. Which, of course, is the case. In some ways that's what a memory is. 

One of the most meaningful things was the almost juxtaposition of Vivian actually being afraid and showing the humanity she always shied away from, with Sally, and with her only visitor, her mentor, reading her a story, and comparing it to an allegory for God. 

W;t's Wit.

Personally, I found Edson's W;t to be a very interesting and clever way to capture a character in a manner that is not, perhaps, as dark as it could have been made to be. The synopsis located on the back cover of the book describes the protagonist of the story as "intensely rational", which I too find to be an apt phrase to use. I will, however, point out a few details on form that interested me. (I tried very hard to back down on my gushy tendencies in this post.)

Who Knew a Semicolon Meant So Much? First Impressions: W;t

Tone: Considering Vivian's diagnosis, her frank tone, almost like she's just teaching another class, feels very out of place (which, I suppose, is the point). She almost never lets her emotions get the better of her until the very end, where everything becomes wistful and sad. What I think this might do for the play is that it shows how even the most academic of us need love and emotion, even if it doesn't seem that way.

Language/Grammar: One very specific discussion I feel is significant to all parts of the play is Vivian's discussion with her professor about the editions of Donne's poetry, and how there are mistakes in punctuation in Vivian's edition. The title of the play is not "Wit", it is "W;t", symbolizing how the play should not have happened, that Vivian's life should just be like everyone else's. It could also connect to the ending of the play, where the Jason mistakenly calling a code-blue creates a lot of stress and grief as Vivian's life, and the play, both end abruptly, much like a period in a sentence where there should only have been a semicolon.

Setting: While the entire play technically takes place in the hospital, the numerous flashbacks Vivian experiences reveal how much she feels that she needs the classroom where she taught, the office where she worked, and how the hospital almost feels no different, like she could just keep on teaching Donne poetry to all of the other patients and doctors. It gives a sense of disconnect to the play while, almost paradoxically, giving a sense of continuity to Vivian's last few days.

Other impressions: The ending of the play was abrupt, as I've already said, but I feel like there's a lot of things you could analyze with it. It's ambiguity is a lot like the ending of The Giver, where the reader is left wondering just what happened. Did Vivian die and make it to the light, or did the Code team successfully resuscitate her despite Susie and Jason's effort to stop them? I was thinking it was the latter one, because the lights went out and the play ended just before Vivian could fully make it to the light. But, I suppose, each person can draw their own conclusion.

for what is the point of living, if you aren't truly present?

While reading Wit, I found myself stepping into Vivian's shoes and looking at the possibilities of life that one can only see when it ends. This play led me to contemplate my life, my decisions, and my goals which can either lead to tragedy or happiness. It was tragic to see someone so brilliant, in such a weak place and have no where to go.. no one to lean. And in the end the only one who ended up caring, was the Susie, the one that Vivian felt was so plain and dumb. I guess what I am trying to say is that this play was about hiding behind our intellect and being afraid to live- to be human. And in the end, we realize that we missed out on truly living.

Throughout the play I was completely fascinated with the literary devices used. I loved to see how they worked within the play and produced a whole new meaning. Some of these included:

- Personification: "Now I know how poems feel" I thought that it was interesting how Vivian drew the parallels between her being physically examined to the point of it being unbearable and how we do the exact same things to poetry and all other forms of literature. It gave the constant analysis more meaning.

Dialogue, Inter-monologue: I absolutely loved how Vivian's thoughts were portrayed as the doctors examined her. It was witty and so SASSY! I liked how I could get a glimpse into her mind and how she was one step ahead as when she thought, "Excellent command of details" as Jason points to the different parts of her body... right before the doctor says the same thing. Except for I believe she is sarcastic in contrast to the doctor actually praising Jason's intellect.

Diction: Wit, is it or isn't it? Professor says not, she says it is… Some definitions said are "[the] sharpening mental faculties"and, "a way to see how good you really are." But when the student gives the insight by saying that John Donne "hides behind this wit," the word has a whole new meaning. Almost like the bully who is insecure, Donne uses wit because he feels unsure. And at the very end when Vivian says, "I want to hide," the realization that her wit couldn't save her is heartbreaking.

Stage Directions: so open to interpretation while still keeping a uniform almost of what should be going on.

Setting: Simple, but gets the point across

Juxtaposition: Jason as foil in regards to other fellows, "(the fellows trying to catch up)"… "She's tough. She can take it" Both Vivian and Jason are in this thought process of always pushing, even past the point of no return. They take away the human aspect of life, and as Vivian realizes her mistakes of the past and the lack of sympathy she conveyed, one can see the same traits in Jason.

Flashbacks: Irony of the time wasted, what led her to where she is "I can recall the time- when I knew words would be my life's work." All of her flashbacks show her in almost a regretful stage. Each moment led her to where she is now and unfortunately, it's tragic end.

Simile: "It seemed like magic" how words look when paired with pictures and seem to come alive. I felt that Vivian perfectly described how I felt when I learned that I wanted to do English for the rest of my life. This use of simile shows the caring qualities of Vivian and makes her more personable. Showing that she has more sides than just the scary professor, and even allows the reader to be able to identify with her on a small level.

Irony: "I am in isolation because I am being treated for cancer." I loved how this brought up how it's not the disease that kills, it's the cure.

Repetition: "How are you feeling today" "Fine." "That's great. Just great." I loved how this phrase was constantly repeated and how it showed how routine it really is... that no one actually cares, but rather it is just another formality that must be gone through... sad really how we can give off the impression of caring but really have other motives in mind

Metaphysics: Living life, without living "So anything's okay, as long, as life continues." Susie is one character that I felt was really real (for lack of better words). She didn't put on an act and in the end- like the clown in a Shakespeare play- was the only one to truly understand the point of John Donne. She had the ability to respect the living but also the living's choice of death, because unlike Jason, Susie realized that sometimes living isn't the best route... especially when it's not truly living at all.

Hiding Behind the Wit

As I was reading this play, I knew the very moment I started what to expect from the ending.

Didn't make it any less painful.

Anyway, I thought Margaret Edison did a brilliant job of telling this story through the drama genre. There were things accomplished through this format that wouldn't have been possible through any other genre. The actions scenes were raw and powerful. Here are some of the other things I noticed while reading:

First Thoughts on TLC

I thought this was a fascinating play. These are a few of the formal elements that stood out to me throughout the course of the play:

Tone:

• The tone supports the words that each of the characters speak. 
• Vivian knows herself to be highly respectable professional and prides herself on her well-earned reputation of being very strict but also successful and intelligent. She uses stiff and highly intellectual words whenever she can. 
• Jason is also very professional but flippant and apathetic when speaking about the needs of others. 
• Susie uses many affectionate terms and has a careful but open tone.

Language:

• Vivian uses elegant, elaborate vocabulary to express herself, and takes words very seriously. They are important enough for her to research, memorize, and understand the medical terms that she must hear so often. 
• She builds these walls of words around herself to make herself feel comfortable and important, but ultimately, words can't save her. During some of her most vulnerable moments, she can't seem to find words at all. 
• She comes to realize that the words aren't enough to make her feel loved, and although she never loses her love for literature and beautiful language, she does turn more and more towards human kindness and love.

Characters:

• The characters seem to relate to each other--Jason and Susie represent Vivian at different points of the play.
• Jason is so engrossed in his work that he is self-absorbed.
• Susie is compassionate and cares for the needs of others without pride.
• Vivian had slipped into an obsession with words and had forgotten how to love others, but as the play progresses, we see her becoming more sensitive to her own emotions.

Shown, Not Told

Death is something that makes people reevaluate their lives and their priorities.  In Margaret Edson’s play, Wit, Dr. Vivian Bearing is made to reevaluate life just like she does the poetry of John Donne. 

One of the best parts of reading this as a play, I think, was being able to get insight about Dr. Bearing’s character from descriptions by other people.  For example, in most works, you’re able to understand the protagonist because of the way that they think or describe events that happen in the storyline.  While Vivian does give insight to the audience by monologues sprinkled throughout, we are able to learn so much about her from the way that she interacts with the doctors and nurses that care for her.