Flashbacks In Margaret Edson's Wit
Wit Life altering experiences has the power to change people. In the play “Wit” by Margaret Edson, Vivian began to value kindness. While on her death bed, she realized the of importance human interaction. The overall theme is the significance of humanity. Edson’s use of flashbacks emphasizes Vivian’s transformation from a researched based individual to someone who values humanity. The first flashback emphasizes how controlling and arrogant Vivian was at the beginning of the play. During her appointment with Kelekian: KELEKIAN. Insidious means undetectable at an— VIVIAN. Insidious means treacherous. KELEKIAN. Shall I continue? VIVIAN. By all means (8).
Vivian felt the need to prove to Kelekian that she knows more than him by correcting …show more content…
In this case Jason is Vivian’s double: “The young doctor, like the senior scholar” (58). This parallels to Vivian and how she treated her students. Instead of helping her students she only cared about her research. This line is evidence that Vivian is changing, “The senior scholar ruthlessly denied her simpering students the touch of human kindness she now seeks” (58). This tidbit right before Vivian’s flashback emphasizes her …show more content…
She asked a random student: “How would you characterize the animating force of this sonnet?” and became upset when the student was unable to answer the question (59). Vivian replied to the student: “I’ll give you a hint. It has nothing to do with football” (59). Then tried to reason with the audience by stating, “Did I say…You don’t know a sonnet from a steak sandwich. By no means.” She notices that her behavior was unsolicited and tries to make sense of it. This is a sign that Vivian is regretting her past behavior. In the flashback she insulted the student, “You can come to this class prepared, or you can excuse yourself from this class, this department, and this university” (60). In the next line she tries to defend her behavior: “Defensively I was teaching him a lesson” (60). Vivian was able to realize her behavior was unnecessary. This scene helps to emphasize her
Vivian felt the need to prove to Kelekian that she knows more than him by correcting …show more content…
In this case Jason is Vivian’s double: “The young doctor, like the senior scholar” (58). This parallels to Vivian and how she treated her students. Instead of helping her students she only cared about her research. This line is evidence that Vivian is changing, “The senior scholar ruthlessly denied her simpering students the touch of human kindness she now seeks” (58). This tidbit right before Vivian’s flashback emphasizes her …show more content…
She asked a random student: “How would you characterize the animating force of this sonnet?” and became upset when the student was unable to answer the question (59). Vivian replied to the student: “I’ll give you a hint. It has nothing to do with football” (59). Then tried to reason with the audience by stating, “Did I say…You don’t know a sonnet from a steak sandwich. By no means.” She notices that her behavior was unsolicited and tries to make sense of it. This is a sign that Vivian is regretting her past behavior. In the flashback she insulted the student, “You can come to this class prepared, or you can excuse yourself from this class, this department, and this university” (60). In the next line she tries to defend her behavior: “Defensively I was teaching him a lesson” (60). Vivian was able to realize her behavior was unnecessary. This scene helps to emphasize her