Journal #11

The Chorus shifts noticeably after this reading and therefore the role changes. In the beginning, the Chorus provides a review of the events that have occurred.  The Chorus connects to the audience because of the way it outlines what has happened. Although, in tonight's reading the Chorus focuses less on telling the events, but instead on explaining what exactly a tragedy is. Jean Anouilh now is inserting more of his beliefs into the play through the Chorus. This contrasts the start of the play where the Chorus basically tells us what has happened. In pages 20-29 he is revealing that tragedy is inevitable and flawless. Anouilh says through the Chorus that "In a tragedy, nothing is in doubt and everyone's destiny is known. That makes for tranquillity" (24). Thus, a tragedy is clean and restful. I see Anouilh's voice prominently coming through in this section because it says "I" and addresses the audience because he wants the readers and the audience to be aware that this is a tragedy, not a melodrama. The tone feels less sullen than before and is now more light. The tone repeated in the beginning of the play are colors that are associated with darkness. When the Chorus begins to talk in this section the lighting is at its brightest, which contributes to the light and real tone. Also, the Chorus speaks in a factual way that shows that death is inevitable and that shifts the tone to a less sad one.