-Will Momma convince Jesse to not kill herself?
-Will Momma ever find out the real reason why Jesse wants to kill herself?
-Will Momma accept that Jesse is going to kill herself?
Though all of the questions above ARE important, I don't feel like any of them can be a MDQ. I feel the most legitimate question, and only MDQ in 'Night, Mother, is the one that asks will Jesse kill herself or not. This question is the only question that can be asked that has a definite yes or no answer. Example: Had Momma appeared to have accepted that Jesse was going to kill herself or that she would be fine without Jesse around, we could never know for sure what was in her heart. By the end of the play, what we COULD know is that Jesse is dead, that's solid, no debate. I think "Will Jesse kill herself" is the only MDQ.
(Theatrical Production)
(Movie link)
The question "Will Jesse kill herself?" I feel can be the Major Dramatic Question of the play, but at the same time, we know she is going to do this at the beginning of the play. The play does not end there and there really is not that much suspense in whether or not she will kill herself. However that first question you posted: Will Mama convince Jesse to not kill herself? I believe that can be a great MDQ because at the end of the play, Mama is giving it her all, 'til the very end. But once Jesse kills herself, we know the answer to the MDQ and the play ends.
ReplyDeleteI kinda see what both of you are saying. In the beginning, Jesse says point plank, I'm going to kill myself tonight and there is no way you are going to change my mind. But it comes on so suddenly, we as readers don't really believe it, or at least I didn't. The conversations that follow are so emotional and powerful, and Jesse really seems to soften and normalize towards the end of the play. There was a genuine moment where I thought everything was going to be okay. But then Jesse goes to the bedroom and all mystery disappears. Jesse does kill herself after all of that.
ReplyDeleteI thought she was already set on the idea of suicide and found that a better question would be "Will mama convince her not to?" So I agree with Justin. I think that the play is truly about Mama and not Jessie. Mama is the one who really deals with all the torment of the argument because she cannot stop Jesse. She is also the last one on stage.
ReplyDeleteRachel
(Google + hates me and I cant figure out how to change my name from my youtube....)
I agree that "Will Mama convince Jesse not to kill herself?", is also a legitimate MDQ.
ReplyDelete