How Has Your Understanding of ‘change’ Been Shaped by the Techniques Used by Various Composers You Should Refer Your Prescribed Text and at Least one Other Text of Your Own Choosing.

"There is nothing permanent in life except change," said philosopher Heraclitus. The word “change” means to make or become different and is an inevitable part of life. This is illustrated in the play “Barefoot in the Park” by Neil Simon and “Stop This Train” by John Mayer. The composers use a variety of techniques to demonstrate that change and compromise are essential to the human condition.

Firstly, in the play “Barefoot in the Park” Simon demonstrates how change is a challenging but essential to the human experience. The play studies newly wed protagonist Corie and Paul and their disagreements and necessity to change while living in minuscule six-flight apartment. Corie has a sense of adventure and is romantic, impulsive, and enthusiastic. This is shown through the use of costume “she wears levis and a yellow top under a large shaggy white fur coat”. Her optimistic personality is echoed in her colorful outfit and represents her sense of humor and easy-going personality. But as many newlyweds find, she realises she and her husband may have some complications to work out. Simon, therefore, uses the technique of character contrast to explore the dissimilarities between the characters in the play. Contrast to Cori, Paul Bratter is a twenty-six-year-old attorney who is in his first job. Both his dress and outlook are very conservative. He is dignified and eloquent with speech. This is shown by the use of dialogue “Corie: What about tonight? Paul: I’ll have to go over the briefs… we’ll spend tomorrow night together”. Levelheaded and practical, he keeps his emotions in check. Simon explores the clash of their contrasting personalities as they have their first major argument of their wedded life. Simon therefore uses techniques to demonstrate the problem presented by contrasting personalities and the requirement for change which is inherent to the human experience.

Secondly, the notion of the change in this play is further developed through the addition of two more characters, Ethel and Victor Velasco to illustrate the vitality of change. Ethel is the mother of Corie who is very alone and afraid of love. Corie’s influence about love and marriage to her mother. She reveals her feeling by her dialogue “I’m going back to New Jersey and give myself a Toni home Permanent. Corie, sweetheart, I appreciate your concern but I am very happy the way I am”. This is a clear indication of Ethel’s inability to embrace or allow any changes within herself. Therefore she is presented as the antithesis to Velasco. On the other side, Victor is an eccentric and debonair, like Corie, he has ‘a great enthusiasm for life’. His dialogue reveals that he loves exotic food and even more exotic conversation thrives on adventure and refuses to admit he is growing old; this reflects a reluctance to accept that change is an inevitable part of life.

By end of the play, Corie, Paul, Victor and Ethel realise that change is a part of life. It can be unpredictable and unenviable, but they have to accept change if they are to make the most of their lives. Victor Velasco is realising that change is inevitable; this vindicated through the use

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