Act One of Bruce Norriss Play Clybourne Park

Act One of Bruce Norris's Play Clybourne Park The play Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris is set in a modest three-bedroom bungalow in central Chicago. Clybourne Park is a fictional neighborhood, first mentioned in Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun.   At the end of A Raisin in the Sun, a white man named Mr. Lindner tries to convince  a black couple not to move into Clybourne Park. He even offers them a substantial sum to purchase back the new home so that the white, working-class community can maintain its status quo. It isnt mandatory to know the story of A Raisin in the Sun to appreciate Clybourne Park, but it certainly enriches the experience. You can read a detailed, scene by scene summary of A Raisin in the Sun to enhance your comprehension of this play. Setting the Stage Act One of Clybourne Park takes place in 1959, in the home of Bev and Russ, a middle-aged couple who are preparing to move to a new neighborhood. They bicker (sometimes playfully, sometimes with underlying hostility) about various national capitals and the  origin of Neapolitan ice cream. Tensions mount when Jim, the local minister, stops by for a chat. Jim hopes for a chance to discuss Russ feelings. We learn that their adult son committed suicide after returning from the Korean War. Other people arrive, including Albert (husband of Francine, Bevs maid) and Karl and Betsy Lindner. Albert arrives to take his wife home, but the couple becomes involved in the conversation and the packing process, despite Francines attempts to leave. During the conversation, Karl drops the bombshell: the family that plans to move into Bev and Russ home is colored. Karl Doesnt Want Change Karl tries to convince the others that the arrival of a black family will negatively affect the neighborhood. He claims that housing prices will go down, neighbors will move away, and non-white, lower-income families will move in. He even tries to obtain the approval and understanding of Albert and Francine, asking them if they would want to live in a neighborhood like Clybourne Park. (They decline to comment  and do their best to stay out of the conversation.) Bev, on the other hand, believes that the new family could be wonderful people, no matter the color of their skin. Karl is the most overtly racist character in the play. He makes several outrageous statements, and yet in his mind, he is presenting logical arguments. For example, while trying to illustrate a point about racial preferences, he recounts his observations on a ski vacation: KARL: I can tell you, in all the time Ive been there, I have not once seen a colored family on those slopes. Now, what accounts for that? Certainly not any deficit in ability, so what I have to conclude is that for some reason, there is just something about the pastime of skiing that doesnt appeal to the Negro community. And feel free to prove me wrong†¦ But youll have to show me where to find the skiing Negroes. Despite such small-minded sentiments, Karl believes himself to be progressive. After all, he supports the Jewish-owned grocery store in the neighborhood. Not to mention, his wife, Betsy, is deaf - and yet despite her differences, and despite the opinions of others, he married her. Unfortunately, his core motivation is economic. He believes that when non-white families move into an all-white neighborhood, the financial value decreases, and investments are ruined. Russ Gets Mad As Act One continues, tempers boil. Russ doesnt care who is moving into the house. He is extremely disappointed and angry at his community. After being discharged because of disgraceful conduct (it is implied that he killed civilians during the Korean War), Russ son could not find work. The neighborhood shunned him. Russ and Bev received no sympathy or compassion from the community. They felt abandoned by their neighbors. And so, Russ turns his back on Karl and the others. After Russ caustic monologue in which he claims I dont care if a hundred Ubangi tribesman with a bone through the nose overrun this goddamn place (Norris 92), Jim the minister responds by saying Maybe we should bow our heads for a second (Norris 92). Russ snaps and wants to punch Jim in the face. To calm things down, Albert places his hand on Russ shoulder. Russ whirls toward Albert and says: Putting your hands on me? No sir. Not in my house you dont (Norris 93). Before this moment, Russ seems apathetic about the issue of race. In the scene mentioned above, however, it seems Russ reveals his prejudice. Is he so upset because someone is touching his shoulder? Or is he outraged that a black man has dared to put hands on Russ, a white man? Bev Is Sad Act One ends after everyone (except Bev and Russ) leaves the house, all with various feelings of disappointment. Bev tries to give away a chafing dish to Albert and Francine, but Albert firmly yet politely explains, Maam, we dont want your things. Please. We got our own things. Once Bev and Russ are alone, their conversation feebly returns to small talk. Now that her son is dead and she will be leaving behind her old neighborhood, Bev wonders what she will do with all of the empty time. Russ suggests that she fill the time up with projects. The lights go down, and Act One reaches its somber conclusion.

10 New Years Resolutions for College Students

10 New Years Resolutions for College Students While New Years Eve often brings a party, the new year itself often brings great hopes for change and growth. If youre a college student, the new year presents the perfect time to set some resolutions that can help make your academic year more positive, productive, and enjoyable.   Good New Years resolutions, of course, are not just those that address the things in your life youd like to change or improve upon; they also are realistic enough that youre more likely than not to stick with them. Get (a Specific Number) of Hours of  Sleep per Night Being specific about your goals for the new year; for example, get at least 6 hours of sleep a night instead of getting more sleep. Making your resolutions as specific as possible makes them more tangible and easier to achieve. And while college life is hard and often sleep deprived, making sure you get enough sleep each night is critical to your long-term success (and health!) in school. Get (a Specific Amount) of Exercise  Each Week ​While finding time to exercise in college- even for 30 minutes- can seem impossible for many students, its important to try to incorporate physical activity into your college life routine. After all, those little 30 minutes at the gym can give you more energy throughout the day (and week). Make sure your goal is specific, however; instead of go to the gym, make a resolution to work out for 30 minutes at least 4 times a week, join an intramural sports team, or work out 4 times a week with a work-out partner. Eat Healthier at Each Meal College life is notorious for its unhealthy food options: greasy dining hall food, bad delivery, ramen noodles, and pizza everywhere. Make a goal to add at least something healthy at each meal, like at least one serving of fruits or vegetables. Or cut out (or at least down) on your soda intake. Or switch to diet soda. Or cut down on your caffeine intake, for example, so that youll sleep better at night. No matter what you add or switch, doing little changes every time you eat can lead to big differences. Cut Down on Your Cocurricular Involvement Many students are involved in all kinds of clubs, activities, and teams that meet regularly on campus. And while this cocurricular involvement can be good, it also can be detrimental to your academics. If you need more time, are struggling in your classes, or just overall feel overwhelmed, consider cutting down on your cocurricular involvement. You might be surprised at how much better you feel with an extra hour or two a week. Try Something New or Step Out of Your Comfort Zone at Least Once per Month Chances are, there are things happening on your campus 24/7. And many of them are on topics or involve activities that youre not at all familiar with. Challenge yourself a little to try something totally new at least once a month. Attend a lecture on a topic you know nothing or very little about; go to a cultural event youve never heard of before; volunteer to help with a cause you know you should learn more about but just never looked into. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy yourself! Dont Use a Credit Card for Things You Want- Only Use It for Things You Need The last thing you want in college is to be saddled with credit card debt and the accompanying monthly payment youre required to make. Be very strict about your credit card use and only use it when its absolutely necessary for things you need. (For example, you need books for your classes. But you dont necessarily need- although you might want- those expensive new sneakers when the ones you have can last another few months.) Finish Your Papers at Least One Day in Advance This may sound completely unrealistic and idealistic, but if you look back at your time in school, when have you been the most stressed? Some of the highest-stress parts of the semester come when major papers and projects are due. And planning to do something the night before is, quite literally, planning to procrastinate. So why not plan instead to finish a little early so you can get some sleep, not be as stressed, and- most likely- turn in a better assignment? Volunteer at Least Once a Week Its super easy to get caught up in the little bubble that is your school. Stress over papers, the lack of sleep, and frustration with everything from friends to finances can quickly consume both your mind and spirit. Volunteering, on the other hand, offers you a chance to give back while also helping you keep things in perspective. Added bonus: Youll feel awesome afterward! Take a Leadership  Position on Campus Things may become a little too routine for you during your time in school (especially during the Sophomore Slump). You go to class, go to a few meetings, maybe work your on-campus job, and then ... do it all over again. Aiming for a leadership position, like being an RA or on the executive board of a club, can help challenge your brain in new and exciting ways. Spend Time With People Outside of Your College Friends Granted, this may need to be done electronically, but its important. Spend time Skyping with your best friend from high school; let yourself chat online with people who arent at your school; call your siblings every once in a while to check in and hear about things back home. While your college life may be all-consuming now, it will be over before you know it ... and the relationships youve kept with the non-college people in your life will be important once youre officially a college graduate.