ABVIETNAM

Andrea Beltran THEA 2100H Christopher Durang employs a well-known genre of farce comedy in the two acts that compose __The Vietnamization of New Jersey__. While there are many features that define a farce comedy on the stage, it is easiest to focus on the most prominent within the play. Farce comedies typically utilize a variety of elements such as improbable and absurd situations, mistaken identity, verbal and physical humor, a fast pace and broad satire. Durang's use of improbable and absurd situations, satire, and physical humor lend to the success in creating an atmosphere typical of a farce comedy.  Improbable situations are rampant throughout the entire play and are a key element in creating a farce comedy out of __The Vietnamization of New Jersey__. From the very beginning of the play it is obvious that what in occurring in the pages of the play are not true to real life and are simply in the play to create laughs. Hazel's demeanor and statements during the first scene are exactly the opposite of how a typical black maid would be presented. She refuses to do work and keeps up with a bell ringing system each time Mother or Father get a "point". The absurdity and unrealistic style continues with the ridiculous character of Et who eats cereal out of his pants and behaves himself in the manner of a five year old child though he is in his later teens. The situations in the first scene of the play only continue to magnify themselves with each successive scene. The absurdity actually reaches a whole new level of improbability after David and Liat arrive at the house. There's the acceptance of sex going on the couch, the firing of a gun in the middle of a living room, and the acceptance of a piece of tape on Liat's eyes to make her seem Vietnamese. There are so many aspects of the play that are so ridiculous that it simply becomes hysterical. Durang perfectly places his play into the realm of farcical comedy with his intense use of the absurd.  It is easy to distinguish the satirical nature of the play without having to look very far. It was stated before the play that Durang's intentions were to satire the Vietnam War, but it is also something that is clear upon reading. Durang creates a satire out of the war in the simple manner of not taking it seriously and mocking it. Harry attempts to bring some light on the seriousness of the situation in Vietnam but is vehemently ignored and therefore the reader acts in the same manner accordingly and ends up ignoring what is going on overseas. The mocking also arises from the nature of David's blind condition and the fact that instead of creating pity for his condition Durang uses it to create more comedy. He uses the blindness to create comedic situations such as his ignorance to the fact that Et and his wife are kissing. The satire in Durang's play is mostly in bad taste because of how ridiculously it mocks a very recent and serious situation.  The physical humor in the play is another prominent aspect of the play that contributes to its farcical nature. From the beginning when Ozzie is throwing spoons and Hazel makes a mess of the table to the fantastical end with fireworks and David burning himself the play is ridden with obscure displays of physical comedy such as everything that occurs in Et's pants. David's blindness is also a contributing factor to the physical humor with the play since he cannot see what he is doing especially when he has the gun. The very bizarre and outlandish physicality of the play furthers the farcical nature.  While reading __The Vietnamization of New Jersey__, a show I have recently started watching came to mind due to its similar farcical nature. "Raising Hope" is a comedy that premiered on FOX this year. It takes the "typical" lower class family and essentially mocks their situation. The family's jobs consist of a house cleaning mother and a father and son who clean yards. The show creates a farce comedy through their jobs and their lack of money. The show also utilizes the mocking of Alzheimer’s by creating a comedy out of the confused grandmother instead of creating sympathy for her situation. The main focus of the show is Hope, the daughter that Jimmy is raising with the help of his parents since the mother of the child was a murderer sentenced to death. The simple matter that Hope's mother was electrocuted is an improbable situation characteristic of farce comedies. The show also relies highly on physical comedy and satire of the lower class. In essence it is very similar to Durang's play but touches on a slightly less sensitive topic.