Theme in Oleanna - A Dangerous Mind

Oleanna, though simplistic in approach with only two visible characters is actually deceptively complex with several themes that are related to one another. It is difficult to point out one main theme but I feel political correctness / feminism/ gender power struggles, generation gap lack of communication  and society expectations as primarily used in the theme of higher education are central themes. Mamet uses several literary devices to illustrate his themes including allusions, motifs, setting, language and diction, tone and to some extent symbolism.

I have discussed allusions of the prologues and its meaning in my last blog , “Its just an Allusion “ so I won’t elaborate further here but the extract and folk song reflect conforming to societies expectations of which higher education is one aspect. Young people buy into the notion that they need to go to college to obtain status symbols to show they have succeeded such as a good job, house, car, family life that represents normality and respectability. Carol who has undergone hardships in her family background and financial hindrances has bought into the dream that college is her ticket to improve her status. However, failing and not understanding in class she feels she is stupid and is letting down society who will condemn her. Ironically John scoffs at the benefits of the brain washing of higher education and even publishes a book about it  and still with hypocrisy of entering the teaching profession wants a promotion to have the house he wants and give his children the benefits of the right school.

Mamet uses setting of the dusty academic office of the professor through out the play. I feel this room which though not described I imagine as small musty and windowless lined with book shelves is the oppression of the education system that kills free thinking and only wants students to regurgitate facts parrot fashion. Actually both John and Carol are victims of societies expectations and the room represents their incarceration of a jail that they cannot break free from.

Following on from this is the motif of Carol’s notes. She unable to answer John’s questions and despite his pleas to stop looking at her notes she is unable to do so. She clings to her notes like a crutch and will foreshadow her intent by writing down what he says so she is sure she can remember it correctly. She does not make her own decisions but follows the rule book and her note book is her Bible that she worships as the gospel truth. She is frustrated though that despite note taking and despite reading John’s book and despite attending class she is not absolved and does not understand. The motif could also be symbolic with religious connotations of the good girl who goes to church and yet God (the college or professor) does not reward her but instead gives her penance. She begs John not to punish her with a low grade as her faith is strong and she has abided by his rules. The written word as truth appears many times in this play whether it be John’s book, Carol’s notes, the legal notice, lack of tenure committee promotion in writing and her paper which is attacked as meaningless.

There is the theme also of power struggles in the form of student teacher relationship bordering on the generation gap and also male female power struggles related to feminism and sexual harassment.

The desk I think represents a great divide which shows that initially John is in the powerful position and Carol is the subordinate. John with his decision of Carol’s grade controls her future. However, the desk becomes irrelevant when in the third act Carol takes over control and has the power to destroy John’s perfect life or forgive him. In the final act in frustration he takes his throne (chair ), or seat of power and threatens to fling it at Carol symbolizing her audacity at her figuratively taking away his position or seat of power.

Language, tone and diction are used to signify the differences in their status. At first John is condescending in his tone and treats Carol like a little lost girl who he will save. Ultimately John becomes the little lost boy that Carol can save. Carol cannot understand his academic difficult words such as “predilection” ( ironically John does not fully understand  “term of art” and may resort to hard words to prove his superiority). Word play to show power is used effectively by Mamet through out the play. John claims not to be Carol’s father but goes on to try and exert authority in a personal manner more akin to a father giving a sermon to a daughter. And here lies John’s mistake he breaks the formality of student teacher relation and tries to become personal which is interpreted by Carol as sexual harassment. The interruptions of Carol by John reveal,  his reluctance to listen to her and comes to a head with her screaming that she is “SPEAKING “. The interruptions and the choppy half sentences show John’s lack of respect towards Carol and vice versa.

Ultimately there is a huge communication gap between Carol and John as a theme and neither try to understand each other despite their futile attempts and pleas from both sides of wanting to understand. The communication gap could be social differences, gender or generational. The telephone which is the only access to the outside world serves as a powerful motif to interrupt their dialogue in mid sentence. It shows that John has an outside life and is a real grown up with real grown up problems. John constantly putting Carol on hold even rudely not waiting to hear what she has never told anyone else belittles her leaving her feeling small and marginalized.  Carol’s problems are trivialized as psychological  growing pains that she will grow out of while his telephonic conversations highlight his very real non imagined problems. The group that Carol on the other hand talks about simply serves as an imagined authority figure that controls her thoughts in a parental way showing her immaturity and clinging to approval. I feel John should have not taken the calls or either re-scheduled his meeting with Carol as his half hearted juggling of his student and personal issues do little justice to either and simply show his weaknesses to a student that undermines his authority which will be taken advantage of cunningly by Carol. Interestingly though Carol and John are alike, trying to get approval and fit into societies’ norm, they both struggle with their insecurities. John in his calls has lost control of his future in his house buying plans and in his waiting for the tenure committee decision and Carol has lost control of her future at college which determines her future life’s success. They are both on the cusp of success but are afraid will not attain it. Ultimately John offers her help by granting an A and bending the rules which does not appease her and is misunderstood in intent and Carol in turn negotiates a deal related to her retraction of her complaint that leads to the final lack of communication in his violent outburst.

In final consideration with the theme of feminism Carol acts as a living caricature symbol of the Political Correct movement. She corrects him in the final act taking the mantle of power away from John. . Ultimately  male/ female stereotypes and power struggles come into play climaxing with Carol deriding John for calling his wife “ baby” which she sees not as a term of endearment or love but his authority over his wife. John in his naiveté has been oblivious that his actions could be interpreted as predatory and though the allegations (which Carol sees not as allegations but fact) are extreme and far removed as being actual rape the fact they are taken seriously as the burden of proof is on John  shows the great divide in communication and understanding  between men and women.

Whether you agree with John or Carol is opinion based but ultimately both appear as victims caught in their own misconceptions and insecurity and both ultimately abuse their power and control over each other leading to an ugly climax show down preceded by dangerous mind games.