The Awakening of Spring by Frank Wedekind is not too long of a play to read yet it is filled with so many shocking topics that society does not and did not really address such as – suicide, homosexuality, sex, abortion, and etc. As I read this play, I was very surprised to find what I was reading .
Throughout the reading, most of the dialogue was simple and short in the interaction between certain characters. However, through the words the character exchanged between them, the readers are able to know instantly what the topic is being discussed and is definitely astonished about the content of the dialogue. I certainly was. Frank Wedekind is very successful in squeezing in many topics that children maturing into young adults find themselves thinking about or involved with. One can also say that the content of this play can be relatable to some teens in today’s society. Wedekind writes of a play from the adolescents’ perspective and what they have dealt with or thought about when growing up into teenagers and adults.
One main theme is education – a very important subject for students and parents alike in any age. Moritz is very focused on his education and passing his exams. And when he learns to discover that he disappointed his parents, Wedekind describes through the dialogue of certain people of his suicide.
Another main theme is innocence of children and them losing their innocence. For example, Wendla is a fourteen year old girl and she in page 109 is begging her mother to explain to her how a baby is made. She no longer believes that the “stork brought the baby in”. And once she finds out, she finds herself involved with Melchior and she is pregnant. She later on dies from trying to have abortion.
Many of these themes or topics are talked about and described among the children in their actions and dialogues in simple terms which can evoke some criticism. However, the main point gets across, and the rest is up to the imagination and creativity of the readers. It will be definitely interesting to see the actual play’s interpretation of this thought-provoking and this curious piece of writing
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I am truly fascinated about how you viewed this play. You find so many lessons, and underlying themes that seem somewhat beneficial to any child growing into adolescence. I am curious if you believe this would be a book appropriate for teenage students to learn from and benefit off of? Even though this book seems so absurd not only for its time, but even for this uncensored generation, it seems as if the lessons and themes you found are too important to ignore. I found it the other way around, however, it would be great to hear the other side of the argument.
Hmm…it’s interesting how you interpreted my blog post as you thought I thought that the play themes would be beneficial to children. I think that the themes have it correct about what some children and young teens go through today. And, I don’t believe this play would be appropriate for teenage students to learn from; to me, it’s a play that is about a certain group of children growing up – that’s all.
The play really does explore interesting and controversial topics in a brief yet powerful manner. The dialogues let us get inside the characters’ heads to understand them better, which allows us to relate to them. Also, the play does emphasize the importance of education to avoid tragedies like Wendla’s.