Abstract
This study aims to depict the inability of a traumatized Vietnam War veteran David in his attempts to adapt himself into his former life, family and especially to the cultural and social ideologies of his homeland upon his return to American society in his changed consciousness. On the other hand, his family, the Nelsons, which becomes a microcosm of American society, has also difficulties in embracing this physically and mentally changed man since he has become a threat to the safe grounds of their happy American family ideology. This study attempts to explore how and why David becomes a threat for his family and society from the political aspect. 'The politics of race' and 'the politics of class' will formulate the interpretations of the play as two major modes of political reading.
Highlights
David Rabe’s play Sticks and Bones depicts the encounter between David, the protagonist who returns home from the Vietnam War as a blinded and traumatized veteran, and his family, the Nelsons who represent the happy middle-class American family
The Nelson family has qualms about accepting David with his physical and spiritual deformities into the happy family frame as a former member since he threatens the safe bases of the happy American family ideology with his behaviors and his new consciousness
By making use of the politics of race and the politics of class, this study explores the influences and the consequences of David’s return on the lives of both his family and himself in his new identity
Summary
David Rabe’s play Sticks and Bones depicts the encounter between David, the protagonist who returns home from the Vietnam War as a blinded and traumatized veteran, and his family, the Nelsons who represent the happy middle-class American family. The Nelson family has qualms about accepting David with his physical and spiritual deformities into the happy family frame as a former member since he threatens the safe bases of the happy American family ideology with his behaviors and his new consciousness Following his homecoming David gets detached from the family as a figure emotionally maimed with self-hatred, loneliness and cynicism. When David does arrive, the family first note that “something is wrong” [1] with him and they are shocked to see him blinded On his part David too experiences some unease, feeling that “the air is wrong, the smell and sound... After the killing of Zung, David is induced to commit suicide and only the former status quo of the family is restored
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