In Overtones, Alice Gerstenberg makes it pointedly clear that Hettie and Maggie do indeed address each other. Many times throughout the script, the stage direction informs us that Hetty and Maggie are speaking to one another. So, I think that it's safe to assume that they are at the very least speaking to one another.
However, I don't necessarily believe that they are "communicating" with each other. From my interpretation of the play, Hetty and Maggie cannot be heard by anyone other than Harriett and Margaret, respectively. How could they be? If these characters represent the "inner-selves" of Harriett and Margaret, then how could anyone else possibly hear what they are saying?
I believe, rather, that these characters are representative of the "overtones" that are existent in the dialogue exchange between Harriett and Margaret. It's almost as though everything that they say exists somewhere deep within everything that Harriett and Margaret say.
That being, said I suppose this isn't the only way that this script could be analyzed. I don't think it would be ridiculous for someone to make the production choice of having Hetty and Maggie very clearly communicating and interacting with each other, so long as the reasoning behind it was solid. There's nothing in the script, at least to me, that would absolutely prohibit someone from staging this play one way or the other.
"I believe, rather, that these characters are representative of the "overtones" that are existent in the dialogue exchange between Harriett and Margaret. It's almost as though everything that they say exists somewhere deep within everything that Harriett and Margaret say."
ReplyDeleteIf you explore this idea further, can you find support for it within the text?
When I read the play, I was convinced that Hetty and Maggie could hear and see one another as plainly as Harriet and Margaret can see each other, but you've completely changed my outlook on this subject. I agree with everything you've written, especially that “the characters are representative of the ‘overtones’ that are existent in the dialogue exchange,” and I think the idea that Hetty and Maggie embody the emotions and thoughts that are clearly present yet left unsaid is an entirely valid interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the your comment on Maggie and Hetty not being able to actually see or communicate with each other. Like you said, how could it be possible for the inner-selves to be heard by anyone else besides their actual selves? I believe that Hetty and Maggie were the truth of Harriet and Margaret and their action. Like the time when Margaret wants to eat another cake but doesn't at first, while Maggie is fighting to eat it right away. Again, in agreement, I feel that the two inner-selves cannot see each other but need to be seen by an audience to get the full story of who these two people really are.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts about the production choice of Hetty and Maggie interacting is legit and allows me to picture this play in a different way. I enjoyed reading your post about Overtones. It was refreshing to read and more understanding to the communication of this play.
ReplyDelete