Title: Oleanna
Author: David Mamet
First published January 1, 1993
80 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780679745365 (ISBN10: 067974536X)
Rating: 3.61
Overview
David Mamet’s Oleanna is a gripping two-character play that delves into the power dynamics between a male college instructor and his female student. What starts as a simple discussion about grades quickly turns into a tense and explosive battle for control.
With every innocuous remark, the tension builds, and the dialogue becomes more heated and intense. In this searing examination of power, censorship, and abuse, Mamet delivers a fiendishly accurate X-ray of the mechanisms that drive these destructive forces.
Oleanna is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of human relationships and the dark underbelly of power dynamics.
About the Author
David Alan Mamet is a multi-talented American author, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, and film director who is widely known for his unique style of writing. His works are characterized by sharp, concise, and sometimes crude dialogue, as well as his exploration of masculinity.
Mamet has been nominated for Tony awards for his plays Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). He has also received Oscar nominations for his screenplays The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997).
In addition to his successful career in theater and film, Mamet has also written several books. Some of his most recent works include The Old Religion (1997), a novel about the lynching of Leo Frank; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (2004), a Torah commentary co-authored with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner; The Wicked Son (2006), a study of Jewish self-hatred and antisemitism; and Bambi vs.
Godzilla (2007), a scathing critique of the movie industry.
Editoral Review
David Mamet’s “Oleanna” is a thought-provoking play that delves into the dynamics of power, language, and gender. First published on January 1, 1993, the play is written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter who is known for his dark and biting dramas that explore the tensions and conflicts of the human condition.
“Oleanna” is a two-act play that centers around the interactions between John, a white male college professor, and Carol, his female student. The play takes place in John’s office, where Carol seeks assistance with her coursework.
As they meet, their conversation takes an unexpected turn, leading to a power struggle and accusations of sexual harassment. The play explores the themes of authority, control, and the dynamics of communication through its two lead characters.
John, a privileged and tenured professor, seeks to shape Carol’s opinions on education and the world at large, while Carol, an agitated and disempowered student, struggles to assert herself and make her voice heard. The conflict between them escalates as they have a disagreement about an incident in class, resulting in Carol’s accusations against John.
On a broader level, the play is a commentary on the changing gender dynamics of the time in which it was written. It sheds light on the tension between men and women as workplaces became more diverse and women began to insist on equality and respect.
To that end, “Oleanna” is a historical artifact that offers a glimpse into the trajectory of equality struggles in the United States. One of the strengths of the play is that its structure and pacing are as tight and crisp as the language.
Mamet’s dialogue is famous for its minimalist style and staccato rhythm, and “Oleanna” is no exception. The brevity and intensity of the play’s dialogue amplify the impact of the words, and the acting demands that the actors give nuanced and powerful performances to convey the full story.
Furthermore, Mamet’s characterization is another compelling feature of the play. The characters of John and Carol are complex and multi-dimensional, with flaws and strengths that make them compelling and authentic.
The play never reduces either character to a caricature or a stereotype, and instead explores the complexities of the human psyche in a way that inspires both empathy and frustration. However, the play is not without its challenges.
Some critics have suggested that the play’s emphasis on the gender and power dynamics of the characters risks oversimplifying the complexity of interpersonal relationships. Additionally, some readers have found the play’s abrupt conclusion unsatisfying or even infuriating, lacking a sense of resolution or closure.
Overall, “Oleanna” is a powerful and relevant play that explores important themes with intelligence and insight. While some readers may find its minimalist style and abrupt ending challenging, the beauty and strength of Mamet’s writing make it worth the effort.
Fans of dark and complex dramas will find much to admire in this work, as will anyone interested in exploring the complex interactions between men and women in the modern world. For these reasons, “Oleanna” deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
