Introduction
The Sea by Edward Bond is filled with numerous symbols and themes. Being a modern drama, the use of themes and symbols becomes essential to broaden the scope of the meaning of the play. Prominent symbols in this play include, the sea, aliens, Hatch's shop and the characters. As far as themes of the play are concerned, the following themes can be traced throughout the play, the conflict between individual and society, political, social and moral depravity, and change.
Symbols
The Sea carries the following symbols:
The Sea
From the title to the actual sea, The Sea has been symbolized for the rewarding as well as critical challenges of life. The Sea also appears as a symbol of different opportunities to excel in life as well. The 'uncontrollable' storm in the sea has been utilized as a symbol of destruction. The Sea is unavoidable, as is asserted by Mafanway,
In this town, you can't get away from sea.
The UFOs
The Unidentified Flying/Foreign Object (UFO) has a direct association with aliens. UFOs are used as the symbol of fear, the fear of change and technological innovation. Similarly, aliens are the symbol of creatures loving skirmishes and violence, thus representing us, the war-loving humans.
Hatch's Shop
The items inside the shop of Hatch are highly symbolic. The clinging doorbell of his shop symbolically indicates the incoming lurking danger (in the form of World War First). The cancellation of the order of expensive curtains by Mrs. Rafi symbolizes the hollow morality of the modern and educated people.
The Characters
Almost every character in The Sea stands symbolically for something else in the play. Evans stands for half sanity and half insanity while his drinking symbolizes for the escape from society. Willy becomes an embodiment of sincerity, sanity, rationality and love; Mrs. Rafi, the mindset of a dictator; Mrs. Tilehouse, for hypocrisy; Collins for talent and love; Rose, love and innocence, and Hatch, a symbol of insanity, jealousy and irrationality.
Themes
The notable themes of this play are:
Individual vs. Society
The theme of the preservation of individuality from the norms of society has been a common theme of the plays written in the twentieth century. The Sea also exhibits this theme through almost every character. Everyone in the play strives for an elevation in his or her respect and status in the society. On the other hand, characters like Mrs. Rafi struggle for the retention of authoritative individuality through the means of questionable 'justice'. For instance, Mrs. Rafi, in the play, selects the role of Eurydice, the female protagonist whereas she gives Mafanway the role of the dog. Similarly, Hatch is worried about his own reputation in his friends and suppliers in the midst of UFOs and aliens.
Political, Social and Moral Bankruptcy
Another theme of this play is the condemnation of political, social and moral depravity. As far as political instability is concerned, the democratic equality is abused by the retention of power and authority of Mrs. Rafi over other town's people. The social and moral decline is shown by Mrs. Rafi and Hatch. Hatch is a morally depraved person who not only shows his negligence from his duties by letting Collins drown as well as snipping the dead body of Collins through his sheers. Similarly, Mrs. Rafi's execution of 'justice' is flawed as she unjustly makes Hatch go bankrupt by cancelling the order of the expensive curtains.
Change
Acceptance of change is the core theme of this play. The setting of this play co-relates with the time period of industrialization. It must be noted that the monarchy of machines had made people indifferent to each other and materialism was at its peak. It looked like people accepted the benefits of industrialization but did not accept the change. However, Bond, through this play, asserts that people must accept the change as the change is mostly associated with hope [not in the case of us 😃]. This theme is expressed through Evans,
But you must still change the world.
Conclusion
Thus, The Sea packs quite an impressive set of symbols and themes which highlight the core motivation for the play and also illustrate the skilful mastery of Edward Bond.
Good job ok 👍
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