Unravelling Essay, Research Paper

Unravelling[1] Characters: Vanek ? a biographical figure

intended to be Havel himself.[2] Dagmar ? Vanek?s wife.? A glamorous actress whom Havel has recently

married.[3] Stanek ? An old friend of Havel?s[4](A room in the Castle in Prague, Vanek?s residence as president

of the Czech Republic. Vanek is smoking in a comfortable armchair and drinking

brandy, Dagmar sits across from him on a stool painting her nails.? In between the two characters there is a

table with an ashtray and in the corner of the room there is a decanter of

brandy on another table.? The furniture

is luxurious and indulgent and a large fireplace with a coat of arms above it

indicates that the scene takes place in a Castle. There is a knock at the

door.) Vanek: Oh, it?s you Mr. Stanek. Come in, come in. Take a

seat.[5] Dagmar: We?re so glad that you?ve made it ? Vanek: We were afraid that you might not make it anymore ? Dagmar: We?ve been looking forward to seeing you so much ?[6] Vanek: Can I get you a drink? Stanek: I?d rather not Vanek: Just a token one, eh![7] (Having finished his brandy, Vanek moves over to the

corner of the room, replenishes his own glass and fills another for

Stanek.? He hands the glass to Stanek.) Vanek: Cheers! He?s to our reunion after all these years! (They drink.?

Stanek shudders slightly.) Stanek: You should lay off the booze for a while. Vanek: A few drinks never hurt anyone.[8] (Vanek picks up his cigarette and takes a drag) Vanek: Dagmar, darling, why don?t you go and get Mr. Stanek

some of your Groombles.[9] Dagmar: Of course, I had almost forgotten. (She goes over

to the side table and returns with a small tray) Stanek: (shocked) Does he always order you about like

that? (taking a Groomble when offered) Dagmar: Oh no, Ferdinand and I are ever so happy, I want to

fulfil my husband?s every wish.[10] Vanek: And I do my very best to fulfil yours, don?t I

Darling? Dagmar: Oh yes, Vanek and I are so happy! Stanek: So Vanek, what?s it like to be living in the castle

which was previously the seat of the oppressors that you despised so

vehemently?[11] Vanek: (laughs) Oh, well when you put it like that

its not so bad, I?m getting quite used to the life of luxury that I have so

lacked for so many years (laughs again) Seriously though, it?s not just

lazing around drinking sherry all day, you know, I work very hard! Dagmar: (sympathetically) Oh yes, very hard, too hard

if you ask me.? It?ll do his health no

good.[12] Vanek: There, there, don?t fret Stanek: What do the presidential duties entail? Vanek: (seems at a loss and looks embarrassed)Oh, err,

well, you know, mostly administration and paper work, I won?t bore you with the

details. Stanek: Oh no, you won?t bore me, I?m fascinated, do

continue! Vanek: (beginning to get irritated) I?d rather not

talk about it, you know, I?m off duty?I don?t really want to discuss work, if

you wouldn?t mind. Stanek: (apologetically) Oh sure, no of course not,

sorry, silly of me to ask! Vanek: (resuming his former relaxed attitude) So how

have you been, old boy![13] Stanek: Well, it seems a long time since I saw you last! I

think the last time we spoke the communists were still in power![14] Vanek: (chuckles) Oh yes, well that is a long time, much has

changed since the overthrow of the old bureaucratic regime, they aren?t sitting

in their castles drinking their sherry oppressing the masses any longer, eh![15] (all laugh) Stanek: Well, I?m afraid

the new regime has done me no favours, my job in communist television

disappeared with the revolution, and the new television company wants nothing

to do with the communist ?old guard?.[16] (bitterly) It seems that in television

at least, the communists have been completely ousted.[17] Vanek: Oh my goodness, I

had no idea, I?m awfully sorry old chap! How are you financially? Stanek: Devastated! My

daughter Annie now brings in the only income whilst my wife and I look after

her child.[18] Vanek: Oh dear, that?s

awful, and we?re so happy too! Dagmar: Ferdinand and I are ever so happy, I want to fulfil

my husband?s every wish.[19] Vanek: And I do my very best to fulfil yours, don?t I

Darling? Dagmar: Oh yes, Vanek and I are so happy![20] Stanek: (bitterly) Well, at least the end of

communism has brought happiness to some! Vanek:? Oh dear, we

are morose aren?t we? Can I get you a drink? Stanek: I?d rather not Vanek: Just a token one, eh![21] (Having finished his brandy, Vanek moves over to the

corner of the room, replenishes his own glass and fills another for

Stanek.? He hands the glass to Stanek.) Vanek: Cheers! He?s to our reunion after all these years! (They drink.?

Stanek shudders slightly.) Stanek: You should lay off the booze for a while- Vanek: A few drinks never hurt anyone.[22] (Vanek picks up his cigarette and takes a drag) Vanek: Dagmar, darling, why don?t you go and get Mr. Stanek

some of your Groombles.[23] Dagmar: Of course, I had almost forgotten. (she goes over

to the side table and returns with a small tray) Stanek: (taking a groomble) Listen? Ferdinand ? can I

call you Ferdinand? Vanek: Of course, we?re old friends, don?t let the title put

you off, I haven?t changed a bit, I?m still the same old Vanek![24] Stanek: (somewhat reassured) I was wondering if I

could ask you a rather large favour.?

I?m petitioning the television company to have me reinstated. I was

wondering if I could have your signature on the petition?[25] Vanek: That?s a tough ask ?[26] Stanek: Don?t feel under any pressure- Vanek: Oh no don?t worry it?s just- Stanek: No, no forget I asked- Vanek: Well, I was thinking ? I mean ? I?d like to, it?s

just that I have to think of my position.[27]

My co-signatories are naturally going to welcome my signature with pleasure,

and it may well make a difference to you being reinstated.? On the other hand I have my reputation to

consider.? If I was to sign that

petition, I become associated with you as a communist, the very people I fought

so hard for so long to defeat.? After

all my hard work to have my name tarnished with that I fought so hard to oppose

would be the ultimate shame.? I?m sorry,

I worked to long and too hard for my current privileges to lose them over a

petition.? However, I would like to help

you financially, I?m not exactly a millionaire, but here- (reaches into his

wallet, picks out 3 bank notes, hesitates and then adds a fourth and hands them

to Stanek)[28] Stanek: (fuming with rage punches Vanek?s hand sending

the bank notes fluttering across the stage) Look at yourself, driving

around in your big limosine with your police escort[29],

your castle home and your privileges! Sickening isn?t it? Sickening the depths

you?ve reached! What do you say? Makes one puke, eh![30]

You?re no longer capable of the simplest acts of solidarity![31]

In the old days-when we wanted do something for the sake of ordinary human

decency-automatically used to turn to you ? now look at yourself, how you?ve

changed! Not even the remnant of moral conscience in the quagmire of your

current situation. I still say today the nation is governed by scum ? scum like

you! Your old foreman said one day you?ll go back to you?re actresses, and

you?ll boast about the time you worked here rolling barrels, showing off what a

big he-man you are[32],

I defended you, I admired you, I thought you were different! You?re just like

every other corrupt power-welding official in the country. Keep your money, you

won?t buy me off! (Stanek exits, leaving Vanek and Dagmar speechless on

stage.? They clasp each other?s hands as

the curtain falls) [1] This title

is a play on Havel?s own title ?Unveiling?.?

It is intended to show a different perspective on an existing

theme.? Furthermore, one of my sources,

a newspaper article entitled ?Havel unravelled? is used as a significant source

of factual information concerning Havel in this play [2] Havel uses

Vanek in several of his plays.? Vanek is

clearly an autobiographical figure used by Havel to dramatise events that have

occurred in his day-to-day life as a revolutionary playwright. [3] Information

concerning Dagmar taken from ?Havel unravelled?, an article by John Keane. [4] A character

extracted from Havel?s play ?Protest.?

Stanek is a respectable citizen under the communist regime who

empathises with Havel?s revolutionary activity but is unwilling to risk his

livelihood for the sake of his principles. [5] Vanek is

greeted in the same manner by the Foreman in the play ?Audience?.? The manner is formal indicating formality in

his greeting. [6] Familiarity

with Havel?s plays will show the audience that a clear parallel is being drawn

from the outset between Vanek and Dagmar and Vera and Michael in ?Unveiling? [7] A line

spoken by Stanek in ?Protest?, a role reversal begins between Vanek and Stanek

showing Vanek?s corruption. [8] Havel had a

malignant tumour removed from his right lung in 1996 and was near death when he

caught Pneumonia in his left lung. Afterwards, he was forced to abstain from

drinking and smoking and suffered from depression as a consequence. [9] A snack

referred to in ?Unveiling? [10] At a press

conference in 1997 Dagmar said she wanted to ?fulfil her husband?s every wish.? [11] Havel, due

to his role in the overthrow of the communist regime, replaced Dubcek as

president of the Czech republic in 1993 [12] Havel

nearly died from pneumonia in his left lung after a malignant tumour was

removed from his right lung and pneumonia developed in the aftermath of the

operation.? It was only after Dagmar?s

visited him that the true state of affairs came to light.? He therefore claims she saved his life. [13] The term

?old boy? is not strictly adhering to Havel?s style but is used here in order

to enhance the contrast between Havel as a worker (previously) and Havel?s

newly acquired presidential status. [14] Reference

to the previous play involving Vanek and Stanek (Protest) [15] Ironic

given Vanek?s current behaviour. [16] There is no

evidence for this but it facilitates the role reversal necessary for the

success of the play. [17] Reference

to the fact that many old communist politicians changed their allegiances in

order to get themselves elected and get back into power. [18] Reference

to ?Protest? where Annie is pregnant with the child of a condemned pop singer. [19] At a press

conference in 1997 Dagmar said she wanted to ?fulfil her husband?s every wish.? [20] This sort

of repetition of several lines is typical of Havel?s style. [21] A line

spoken by Stanek in ?Protest?, a role reversal begins between Vanek and Stanek

showing Vanek?s corruption. [22] Havel had a

malignant tumour removed from his right lung in 1996 and was near death when he

caught Pneumonia in his left lung. Afterwards, he was forced to abstain from

drinking and smoking and suffered from depression as a consequence. [23] A snack

referred to in ?Unveiling? [24] Ironic

given the obvious changes that have occurred. [25] In

?Protest? the roles are very much the other way around with Vanek asking Stanek

to sign a petition and Stanek refusing on the grounds of position. [26] Incomplete

sentence typical of Havel. [27] Typical of

the stuttering excuses of Stanek in ?Protest? [28] Stanek acts

in a similar manner in ?Protest? [29]? A former classmate of Havel?s commented in

the article ? Havel unravelled? that Havel had become aloof and had allowed

himself to be driven in a limosine accompanied by displays of flashing lights and

sirens.? He claimed it was just these

sorts of displays that Havel had laughed at under the communists.? [30] Stanek used

the same phrase about the communist system in ?Protest? [31] In

?Protest?, Stanek accuses Havel of considering him incapable of even the

simplest acts of solidarity. [32] Reference

to the play ?Audience? which also deals with the subject of Havel?s conformity.