Wednesday December 5, 2018 is a night I will never forget. After almost getting frostbite while standing outside St. Anne’s Warehouse for the better part of an hour, I was finally allowed inside to experience the magic of The Jungle. Before I even had an opportunity to experience the play itself, the elaborate decoration in the theater really made me feel like I was in a refugee camp (although that was never something I thought I’d experience). When the second act began I was very confused. The short synopsis I received from one of my classmates wasn’t enough to bring me up to speed, however after watching for a little while I understood what the play was about.
The most striking scene for me was when Sam reads the notice to the refugees in the camp that the government is evicting them from a big part of their camp. There’s a lot of panic and yelling and Sam, a volunteer in the refugee camp, tries to calm them down. Sam very strongly urges his fellow volunteers and members of the camp that the best solution is to relocate the part of the camp that is being evicted. Some leaders of the groups of refugees think that a better course of action is to hold their ground. Sam yells and screams so that his voice is heard (which happens a lot in this play) and finally he even cries and pleads with everyone to relocate so that no lives are lost. Ultimately the decision is made that the evicted side of the camp will relocate but the restaurant will stay.
This scene was the most moving to me because the audience got a chance to see how insanely dedicated the volunteers of the refugee camp were. They treated the lives of the refugees as if it were their own. Every decision was made with the utmost concern for the refugees. It seems like the volunteers were the only ones of the refugees side. Sam’s character in particular really touched me because he was a doer. He is willing to move the camp on his own if that’s what it came to. As someone who has a passion for volunteering for many different divisions of my local charity, Sam stands as an inspiration to me. From him I learn what it means to empathize with the people that I help, and even more than that to truly put myself in their shoes. Despite the chaos he is able to think with a clear head, which is an essential quality in volunteer. His selflessness embodies what it means to be a true hearted volunteer.
Frida,
Firstly, Im sorry for the trouble you had getting into St. Ann’s Warehouse, especially standing out in the cold, it probably was a terrible experience. Also, I’d like to say that you didn’t miss out on much in the first half, but you kind of did, so sorry again. I agree with your statement that the scene where Sam reads the eviction notice was a very striking moment. And I agree with you that the volunteers were indeed very dedicated and passionate about the work they were doing. To me, Sam was a very emotional and passionate character, and in every scene he was in, he dramatized the moment to enhance it.
Frieda,
I agree with you on Sam’s character as a “doer”. He cared. I saw it, too. The show very clearly outlined who was in it for themselves, and who was in it for everyone. Sam was in it for everyone. Like he said, he didn’t have to be there. He could’ve been with his family, comfortable and safe. But, no, Sam stood and made himself as a refugee, only with a little more power; he used his influence for good, and that’s the most important aspect I think Sam truly demonstrates in the show. He resonates with my will to selflessly help humanity as well.
In terms of feeling like we were there… oh yeah. Absolutely. I don’t think I’ve felt anything more real in my life, understanding it was only a show. Then, studying in class and speaking about the events that actually unfolded, knowing that what we saw was only a fraction of what occurred, still sends shivers down my spine. It’s unbelievable. I resonate with you on everything.
Awesome post!
Jaydee 🙂