Friday, May 25, 2007
Final Thoughts ~ Not On Our Watch
I am really happy with the ending of the book, I believe that it is a lot stronger than most of the rest, and it makes me happy that there are so many ways in which this genocide has a potential to stop. The ending was amazingly strong compared to the book, although I am reluctant that the rest of the book wasn't like that. Just like Ricky my favorite part of the whole book was the punch line: "Millions of lives hang in the balance,their future determined in part by weather or not we act. Ultimately, I pray that we not stand down from our post. Not us. Not now. Not on our watch" I felt this last line like a punch in the gut, and it made me want to do something. I thank John and Don for such a marvelous book, and I hope that we can end this genocide. Because "Nobody really dies, until he is forgotten".
Dialectic Journaling ~ Not On Our Watch II
After reading chapters 4-6, I feel like the book may be gaining some momentum since where we left of on chapter 3. I can see how Don Cheadle and John Prendergast are starting to make more resolutions on how this cause may not be lost anyways, and how if there's hope, we may make a difference. I really enjoy the style in which this book is written because, I never read any book like this. I feel that even though this book has a realy strong subject, it could be just a little more straightforward and powerful if the whole text was shortened up a little.
I also like the fact that they are tying the present to the past. As I mentioned on a previous discussion that our class had, I believe that: "History is the study of the PAST, in relation to the PRESENT to prepare for the FUTURE". I am therefore glad to see how Don Cheadle and John Prendergast are doing just that. They are presenting the current case, they are tying it to a similar past case, and they are explaining how this and future genocides can be solved.
As Ryan Follin mentioned in his blog: "I believe the suggestions they offer will be ineffective", and "I truly believe that Darfur is a lost cause". But we lose nothing with trying and nothing is lost until nobody cares.
I also like the fact that they are tying the present to the past. As I mentioned on a previous discussion that our class had, I believe that: "History is the study of the PAST, in relation to the PRESENT to prepare for the FUTURE". I am therefore glad to see how Don Cheadle and John Prendergast are doing just that. They are presenting the current case, they are tying it to a similar past case, and they are explaining how this and future genocides can be solved.
As Ryan Follin mentioned in his blog: "I believe the suggestions they offer will be ineffective", and "I truly believe that Darfur is a lost cause". But we lose nothing with trying and nothing is lost until nobody cares.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Group Meeting ~ Not On Our Watch I
During our class discussion about Not On Our Watch it really pulled my attention that Carl and Bev said: “John Prendergast, and Don Cheadle are not normal people”. I thought that more than anything that was a sign of disrespect against Don and John, because even though they have more connections than we do, and they have starred in big Hollywood movies, or worked at the White House, they were once like us, and saying that their accomplishments alienate them from us and therefore are not ‘normal’ is more than anything a sign of disrespect, jealousy, and more than anything else, a sign of self-pity, because they would rather live somebody else’s life than their own. My advice for people who feel like that… aim high, and you’ll reach whatever it is, that you want to do.
Dialectic Journaling ~ Not On Our Watch I
Not On Our Watch is a very well-written book, and I found myself very compelled to it for several reasons. First and foremost, I am very fond of the subject and the drive to show people all the things that we can do to change the world. It talks about the genocide that's going on in Darfur, and how several people have worked to improve the situation, although the level of help is sad, it gives hope to those of us who understand that small details that we do can radically improve the way we (as a group of human beings) can live. I also enjoyed the way it is written. I feel that to write personal stories in the book gives it a great sense of humanity, and is easier to relate to. I also find it very interesting that John Prendergast has been through so much stuff, that it gives you fortitude, and a drive to be like him, and stay strong.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Dialectic Journaling ~ Night III
“…Then I remembered something else: his son had seen him losing ground, limping, staggering back to the rear of the column. He had seen him. And he continued to run on in the front, letting the distance between them grow greater.
A terrible thought loomed up in my mind: he had wanted to get rid of his father!”
This is another incredibly powerful quote from the book: Night. It was possibly the qoute that shoked me the most in the whole book. To suffer so much for so much time that you end up wanting to lose your own father, I really just cannot imagine such despair. Especially after the things that Elie Weisel says about Rabbi Eliahou (the father), because he portrays him as a nice and compassionate figure. I feel that to be on the brink of abandoning your weakened father for YOUR own sake is selfish and it simply doesn't fit in my mind how someone could do that. There were other quotes similar to this one, for example: Some guy beat his own father to death for a piece of bread, and Elie himself couldn't do anything to try and save his own father after he got sick.
A terrible thought loomed up in my mind: he had wanted to get rid of his father!”
This is another incredibly powerful quote from the book: Night. It was possibly the qoute that shoked me the most in the whole book. To suffer so much for so much time that you end up wanting to lose your own father, I really just cannot imagine such despair. Especially after the things that Elie Weisel says about Rabbi Eliahou (the father), because he portrays him as a nice and compassionate figure. I feel that to be on the brink of abandoning your weakened father for YOUR own sake is selfish and it simply doesn't fit in my mind how someone could do that. There were other quotes similar to this one, for example: Some guy beat his own father to death for a piece of bread, and Elie himself couldn't do anything to try and save his own father after he got sick.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Dialectic Journaling ~ Night II
"Behind me, I heard the same man asking:
"Where is God now?"
And I heard a voice within me answer him:
"Where is he? Here He is-- He is hanging here on this gallows. . . .""
This is another quote of Elie Weisel questioning his faith. This is a thought that takes place after Elie Weisel and the other Jews are forced to witnessthe hangings of three men. Two were adults, and it was actually normal now to see adults being hanged, but there was a little kid no more that thirteen who was also hung. In the book he says that when they passed by him he was so light that he was still alive, grasping for air. Out of that whole page I chose the segment above, because of the incredible poetic power that it has, it moved me when I read it, and I felt that it would be a key element to the rest of the book.
"Where is God now?"
And I heard a voice within me answer him:
"Where is he? Here He is-- He is hanging here on this gallows. . . .""
This is another quote of Elie Weisel questioning his faith. This is a thought that takes place after Elie Weisel and the other Jews are forced to witnessthe hangings of three men. Two were adults, and it was actually normal now to see adults being hanged, but there was a little kid no more that thirteen who was also hung. In the book he says that when they passed by him he was so light that he was still alive, grasping for air. Out of that whole page I chose the segment above, because of the incredible poetic power that it has, it moved me when I read it, and I felt that it would be a key element to the rest of the book.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Dialectic Journaling ~ Night
"For the first time, I felt a revolt rise up in me. Why should I bless His name? The Eternal, Lord of the Universe, the All-Powerful and Terrible, was silent. What had I to thank Him for?
This is what Elie Weisel is thinking to himself right before he is supposed to be killed in the crematories. I myself have doubted, and I believe that everybody has done so too doubted if God really exists. Because if he did, we wouldn't suffer as much as we sometimes do, the pain, the fear. It is part of the human being to be curious, and when things don't go your way it is completely normal to doubt if this is really happening. But like the older men in the book said: "You must never lose faith, even when the sword hangs over your head." And so we must not lose faith in God, but more importantly, I believe that we must never lose faith in ourselves.
This is what Elie Weisel is thinking to himself right before he is supposed to be killed in the crematories. I myself have doubted, and I believe that everybody has done so too doubted if God really exists. Because if he did, we wouldn't suffer as much as we sometimes do, the pain, the fear. It is part of the human being to be curious, and when things don't go your way it is completely normal to doubt if this is really happening. But like the older men in the book said: "You must never lose faith, even when the sword hangs over your head." And so we must not lose faith in God, but more importantly, I believe that we must never lose faith in ourselves.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Perils of Indifference
"What is indifference? Etymologically, the word means "no difference." A strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and dawn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassion, good and evil. What are its courses and inescapable consequences? Is it a philosophy? Is there a philosophy of indifference conceivable? Can one possibly view indifference as a virtue? Is it necessary at times to practice it simply to keep one's sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine, as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals?"
Answer Elie Weisel's questions to the best of your ability. Use your heart, your mind, your understanding of human nature, and historical evidence. A minimum of 300 words is expected.
Indifference. In the words of Elie Weisel, “Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger and hatred…Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy…” Yes, etymologically the word means “no difference”, but in a human level it is “not to care”, and according Mr. Weisel, “in a way to be indifferent to that suffering is what makes the human being inhuman.” And this kind of behavior is what has allowed so many genocides to occur. From the Holocaust to Kosovo, China’s and India’s gendercides and even the current Darfur genocide. Yes, none of those is any different than the other, they are all the result of racism, violence, power, but above all, indifference and inactivity. “It is much easier to look away from victims”, nobody wants to know how many people die in genocides, nobody wants to know how much suffering there is on third world countries, nobody is interested in anything that will make them feel bad about themselves, and that’s why there is so much indifference. The human being doesn’t like feeling bad, or sad; they rather be happy, or even angry, because those feelings are vivid, like fire. Sadness on the other hand is depressive. It is part of human nature to avoid that.
Answer Elie Weisel's questions to the best of your ability. Use your heart, your mind, your understanding of human nature, and historical evidence. A minimum of 300 words is expected.
Indifference. In the words of Elie Weisel, “Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger and hatred…Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy…” Yes, etymologically the word means “no difference”, but in a human level it is “not to care”, and according Mr. Weisel, “in a way to be indifferent to that suffering is what makes the human being inhuman.” And this kind of behavior is what has allowed so many genocides to occur. From the Holocaust to Kosovo, China’s and India’s gendercides and even the current Darfur genocide. Yes, none of those is any different than the other, they are all the result of racism, violence, power, but above all, indifference and inactivity. “It is much easier to look away from victims”, nobody wants to know how many people die in genocides, nobody wants to know how much suffering there is on third world countries, nobody is interested in anything that will make them feel bad about themselves, and that’s why there is so much indifference. The human being doesn’t like feeling bad, or sad; they rather be happy, or even angry, because those feelings are vivid, like fire. Sadness on the other hand is depressive. It is part of human nature to avoid that.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Dialectic Journaling ~ All Quiet on the Western Front
"But I will not go further that way; for that is the fate of all of us: if Kemmerich's leg had been six inches to the right; if Haie Westhus had bent his back three inches further forward"
Paul Baumer chap. 9 pg. 223
This is a quote when Paul Baumer is feeling remorse after killing a man in atrench hole, and how he must save himself from that betraying pain of having killed someone with his knife, with his own hands. And how he wishes that the man had been running two yards to the left so that instead of being dead he'd be writing a letter to his wife, and if only Paul had impressed the way back to the trenches better that man could have had thirty more years to live...
"He fell in October 1918, on a day that was so quiet and still on the whole front, that the army report confined itself to a single sentence: All Quiet on the Western Front."
Narrator chap. 12 pg. 296
This quote is possibly the one that impressed me the most, because it is a turn that I don't think anybody was expecting, and is just shocking. I really don't know how to experess this in a more fluent way, but it was just breath-taking, shocking and unexpected. I applaud Erich Maria Remarque for this quote, and this book as a whole, for it is a masterpiece.
Paul Baumer chap. 9 pg. 223
This is a quote when Paul Baumer is feeling remorse after killing a man in atrench hole, and how he must save himself from that betraying pain of having killed someone with his knife, with his own hands. And how he wishes that the man had been running two yards to the left so that instead of being dead he'd be writing a letter to his wife, and if only Paul had impressed the way back to the trenches better that man could have had thirty more years to live...
"He fell in October 1918, on a day that was so quiet and still on the whole front, that the army report confined itself to a single sentence: All Quiet on the Western Front."
Narrator chap. 12 pg. 296
This quote is possibly the one that impressed me the most, because it is a turn that I don't think anybody was expecting, and is just shocking. I really don't know how to experess this in a more fluent way, but it was just breath-taking, shocking and unexpected. I applaud Erich Maria Remarque for this quote, and this book as a whole, for it is a masterpiece.
Reflection ~ All Quiet on the Western Front
Now that you have finished reading All Quiet on the Western Front, please discuss these three questions with your critical friends. Post a response to one of these questions on your blog. Be sure to integrate the responses of your critical friends in your answer...
1. What is ironic, or dramatically unexpected about the novel's ending?
2. What images of the novel are lingering in your mind? Explain why these images made a lasting impression on you.
3. Do you think Paul can claim to speak for an entire "lost generation" when he speaks of the effects of war? In Paul's opinion war ruins those who survive as must as those who die. Do you think his fellow soldiers felt the same way about war?
I believe that All Quiet on the Western Front was an incredible book, it would get you entranced on its pages, and it would entrance you to keep on reading. I believe that the plot was amazing and that it is deserving of the title "best war novel of all time".
As for what pertains to the questions, I believe that the book does have a lot of plot twists, and unexpected turns that just throw you off, but catch even more your attention. I believe that the most prominent of these plot twists is when in the end Paul Baumer dies. I was definitely not expecting to "see" the protagonist of the story to die, but it just goes on to show you the savagery of war.
1. What is ironic, or dramatically unexpected about the novel's ending?
2. What images of the novel are lingering in your mind? Explain why these images made a lasting impression on you.
3. Do you think Paul can claim to speak for an entire "lost generation" when he speaks of the effects of war? In Paul's opinion war ruins those who survive as must as those who die. Do you think his fellow soldiers felt the same way about war?
I believe that All Quiet on the Western Front was an incredible book, it would get you entranced on its pages, and it would entrance you to keep on reading. I believe that the plot was amazing and that it is deserving of the title "best war novel of all time".
As for what pertains to the questions, I believe that the book does have a lot of plot twists, and unexpected turns that just throw you off, but catch even more your attention. I believe that the most prominent of these plot twists is when in the end Paul Baumer dies. I was definitely not expecting to "see" the protagonist of the story to die, but it just goes on to show you the savagery of war.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Between You and Me ~Rough Draft~
Nelson Galán & Lucien Tully & Mark Young
P4-5
February 13, 2007
WWI Scene Abstract Description
New Character Names: Ivan Smirnoff, Yussef Popovich, Natasha Popovich, and Officer Igor Wyborowa
The play is centered on two main characters, Yussef Popovich, and Ivan Smirnoff. Yussef is a man that has been in the army for two years and one and a half of those he spent on the frontline. His wife (Natasha) died and he’s sent back to the training grounds, where he meets a young patriotic kid (Ivan) who thinks that Yussef should be more grateful about helping his country. Yussef on the other hand convinces Ivan that war is about saving your ass and that he should not allow Officer Igor Wyborowa (secondary character) take advantage of his loyalty. After Ivan finally disobeyed Officer Wyborowa; they were both sent to the frontline where they will have to fight alongside each other to survive. The story concludes after Yussef risks his life08h08h8h8h to save Ivan (who was captured), but only one returns.
All right… so the main characters are: Yussef Popovich and Ivan Smirnoff. The Play starts by giving some background info of Yussef.
BETWEEN YOU AND ME
Scene 1
(Yussef and Natasha Popovich are in their pub in a little Russian town, cleaning dishes and the floor respectively)
NATASHA: Wow, we might actually be able to move on with our lives after you lost your job to that machine at that factory!
YUSSEF: Guess you’re right, after all this little business isn’t that bad eh? I mean we’re making money
NATASHA: (reluctantly) Yes dear… you’re right… money
(A knock on the door is heard)
YUSSEF: Who is it? … We’re closed!
(The door opens, several men from the army enter)
ARMY OFFICER: Mr. and Mrs. Popovich, I am sorry to inform you, that this pub is no longer yours and it will be temporarily occupied by the army
NATASHA: (worried) Will we ever have the pub back?
ARMY OFFICER: (sarcastically) Of course (laughs)
(Light fades and the curtains are closed)
Scene 2
(Yussef is sitting in a sofa alongside Natasha)
YUSSEF: (frustrated) It’s no use… nobody will ever let me work for them without my goddamn right hand
NATASHA: Don’t worry; I’m sure there’s somebody out there who can make use of someone like you
YUSSEF: (sobbing) Like me what… A wretch!!
NATASHA: (sympathetically) No… not a wretch at all… a dignified and honest man who will work with incredible strength looking for a better life (pats his cheek)
YUSSEF: (now calmer) Oh Natasha, why would such a beautiful woman spend her life with someone like me when there are so much chances for her outside… you know that our only chance to keep the house is if I join the army in the upcoming war and even so I might not even last… DON’T YOU SEE I’M A FAILURE!
NATASHA: (now she holds Yussef’s hand) I stay because I love you………and I’m sure there’s much more for someone like you out there, and if there’s not I will remain by your side… now and always
(Now Yussef cries, and they hug) (The scene is over)
(Natasha now steps up and states that Yussef has departed to war)
Scene 3
(There is a cheerful seventeen-year-old kid in soldier uniform scrubbing the floor with a toothbrush, while a man gives him orders)
IGOR: (imposing) Come on Smirnoff… don’t tell me your rich ass has never cleaned a floor before… there …you missed a spot
IVAN: Sir yes sir
IGOR: So… Smirnoff, where do you come from eh?
IVAN: (continues to scrub the floor) I am from a middle class family sir… I enlisted to the army because it is the noblest thing for my country we fight against tyrants in a righteous way may we slay all the Germans
IGOR: Ha, ha, ha that’s what I like to hear… What the hell are you doing! (takes the toothbrush and slaps the kid in the head, then takes mud and throws it on the floor) now do it good…or else
IVAN: (still in a cheerful manner) Sir it is my pleasure, sir
(Igor becomes frustrated and leaves) (end of scene)
Scene 4
(Ivan returns to his tent in the training grounds, there is a drunken man inside)
YUSSEF: (delirating) Natasha… my God it’s been so long since I saw you baby
(tries to hug Ivan, but is pushed away, loses balance, falls and starts to cry)
IVAN: What the hell are you thinking? … For God’s sake look at you you’re a wreck, I am embarrassed to think that you were even part of the Russian frontline
YUSSEF: (sips more vodka) You do not know anything, you’re too young (starts to cry)
IVAN: At least we can tell the difference between us of who would crap his pants up there and who wouldn’t
YUSSEF: (laughing) Are you insinuating that your mom still wipes your rich ass… where do you hide her, she might be good company (keeps laughing)
IVAN: (punches Yussef in the face) DON’T YOU EVER TALK LIKE THAT ABOUT MY MOM!!! (kicks him in the gut)
(Yussef gets up and applies a hammerlock to Ivan, but Ivan gets out, and takes Yussef down again)
IVAN: You’re so drunk you would not beat my five-year-old nephew (spits, then he reflects about what happened and asks) Who is Natasha anyways?
YUSSEF: (barks) None of your business!!!
IVAN: My bad… sorry for trying to start a conversation (rolls eyes)
YUSSEF: When I was your age I fell in love… her name was Natasha. She was the most beautiful girl in the world… only one problem, her family was rich and her father wouldn’t give her up to me, and rightfully so for I was nothing but a god forsaken poor devil.
IVAN: (very interested) What happened?
YUSSEF: She escaped with me, but my job as a farmer barely got me any money to sustain myself even less a family, so I took another job in a factory
IVAN: (remarks) Decent job
YUSSEF: Or at least that’s what they say… believe me it’s not pretty in there. But nonetheless what happened is that after a year of working there, my loyalty ended up in being replaced by a machine and lost my job, then a younger more energetic kid replaced me in the farm. My wife had the idea to open a pub and even though it wasn’t the greatest job, ‘since I don’t like fights’… there was nothing better at the time. After two months, only one fight with all damages paid, the all-powerful and righteous army came and said… (Imitates voice) excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Popovich, I am sorry to inform you, that this pub is no longer yours and it will be temporarily occupied by the army, have a nice day
IVAN: (maddened) Don’t talk like that about the army, where is your sense of patriotism? look at what they do for YOUR country, you should be proud that you had the chance to serve in such way, any day I would happily agree to give ALL of my properties to the army for the good of our country
YUSSEF: Is that so?
(no answer, Ivan had realized he was talking nonsense)
YUSSEF: Anyways, after the pub my only choice to sustain Natasha was to join the army, which I reluctantly did… after that my life has just broken into pieces. Six months after recruitment I was sent to the eastern front. Six months after that my wife contracted ammonia. A year later she died. Three months later I became an alcoholic. A month after that I feel like an old man telling tales of his youth to a kid, to you.
(Ivan gulps) (he realizes that offending somebody without knowing about them is a great crime)
IVAN: Forgive me for insulting you
(Yussef nods and starts crying, takes another gulp of vodka and hugs Ivan)
Scene 5
(Ivan is arriving at his tent again where he finds Yussef who is no longer drunk and is playing solitaire and smoking a cig)
IVAN: (surprised) Hey, you’re not drunk anymore
YUSSEF: Yeah… I realized that my wife is death and nothing I do will change that, so I just stopped drinking ‘cause there’s no point in that……… Damn… I didn’t know they kept recruits so much time in the training grounds, what happened?
IVAN: I had to run two extra miles for having my elbow bend at the time to salute Officer Igor Wyborowa, then I had to clean the bathrooms again as is my duty, I like it I think it builds toughness in the heart of a soldier
YUSSEF: You wanna play?
IVAN: What?
YUSSEF: Poker
IVAN: I suppose so
YUSSEF: Why do you take all that shit from Wyborowa?
IVAN: It might sound unfair at first, but it helps build toughness and discipline and that is exactly what I need if I am to go to the front
(Yussef laughs)
IVAN: What’s the matter?
YUSSEF: It’s just weird… how do you think that you will need to be disciplined at all in the front?
IVAN: (confidently) It will give me the security to follow orders
YUSSEF: Considering the state in which you met me it might be hard for you to believe this, but as you know I spent a year and a half at the front under constant bombardments and believe me, once you’re up there you don’t think you act. You don’t even know how, but you do, it is like a primal instinct, one that has been buried under our minds for a very long time, and rises to take control of you… in the front you’re not yourself… you are a beast
IVAN: How does that apply here?
YUSSEF: Wyborowa is just taking advantage of you… cleaning the bathrooms is probably HIS job and he makes YOU do it for him… pretty smart huh? To take advantage of a new recruit… because that is what he sees you like… a recruit not a comrade
IVAN: Oh really? … And what do you expect ME to do about it
YUSSEF: Disobey
IVAN: What?!?! … I’ll get my ass kicked by the Officer Igor Wyborowa!!!
YUSSEF: You said you wanted to toughen up, didn’t you? He dislikes you for being fragile, and besides you beat me remember?
IVAN: (jumps up startled) YES, BUT YOU WERE DRUNK!!!
YUSSEF: (looks up) I got three aces
IVAN: (yells) SEE!!! That’s what is so wrong with you… you never take anything seriously!
YUSSEF: All I know of war is what I learned up there and believe me war is not about being disciplined, it is about saving your ass! Next thing you’ll know is that Wyborowa is gonna say “shield me” and you’ll find yourself jumping in front of a bullet… exchanging a kids life for that of a grown man.
(Scene ends)
Scene 6
[Yussef enters from stage right and keeps walking across stage]
[Ivan enters from stage left caring bucket of hot water and bumps into Yussef]
[water falls on ground enter Comrade Officer Igor stage left]
IGOR: What is going on here? I needed that water for my coffee. Another mistake like this and I’ll make sure you get sent to one of the most dangerous parts of the front!
IVAN: (salutes Igor) I…. (Interrupted by Yussef)
YUSSEF: Don’t scold him Comrade Igor Wyborowa, I am to blame it was my fault.
IGOR: Why you a respectable veteran stick up for this piece of garbage I don’t know. But (looks at Ivan), that won’t save YOU… now go do three laps around the camp, and afterwards you’ll have to make me another coffee, and clean my underwear.
[Igor angrily starts to leaves]
IVAN: NO!!!
IGOR: (startled) What?
IVAN: I will not let you keep taking advantage of me!
(Yussef taps Ivan’s shoulder)
IGOR: (glances toward Yussef, and then Ivan, and salutes) I salute you… the newest additions to the eastern front (leaves laughing)
(After a second Ivan falls to his knees, and Yussef lifts his chin in adversity)
(Curtains close)
Scene 7
(Ivan is angered at Yussef and explodes at him)
IVAN: (angered) What’s your problem? I can’t believe that I actually looked up to you!!!
YUSSEF: (puzzled) What do you mean looked up to me? You’ve always criticized me about being undeserving to be Russian, about being a drunkard, and now you look up to me?
IVAN: Yeah… ever since you where here you’ve made me believe more and more of myself… You even got me to defy a sergeant and look at what happened, you were and will always be a crazy drunkard.
YUSSEF: I would never imagine you seeing me as a role model, but there is nothing we can do about this now
(Ivan angered, punches Yussef in the face)
IVAN: What do you mean there is nothing to do about it? Because of you I have disappointed my country, I have disappointed myself, and the only thing that awaits me here is death
YUSSEF: (still on the ground sarcastically) I thought you would do anything for your country
(Ivan holds Yussef by the neck of his shirt and lifts him)
IVAN: Is this all a joke to you?
(Yussef reverses Ivan’s hold and pushes him to the ground to forces him to listen)
YUSSEF: You did the right thing not taking crap from Wyborowa… do you have no pride?
(Yussef lets go of the hold, and Ivan stumbles in the floor to sit)
IVAN: To hell with pride… don’t you see I’m scared? … I should’ve never stood up to Wyborowa!!!
YUSSEF: (remarks) You weren’t afraid at first
IVAN: I ignored the risks… now I’ve heard your stories
(Ivan starts to cry and Yussef hugs him to comfort him)
(Curtains close end of Scene)
Scene 8
(Scene starts, only Ivan is on stage, he is writing a diary)
IVAN: (writing in a scared tone) Two days have passed since I was sent to war, but this is the only break that we’ve had from the goddamn shell bombing. Yussef left little time after the bombings, and said he’d be back. More and more rumors have been spreading about Russia leaving the war… but how I see things, if it DOES happen… it’ll be too late for most of us here. The trenches are filled with blood, Yussef and I are the only one’s left on our trench. We were four at first, but one went crazy and escaped… this morning we found him laying outside dying… he had no legs. The other one was just unlucky… The trench fell on him when a shellfire fell near us. My eyes are still stained with all the casualties I’ve witnessed. I can’t take this any longer… (drops down diary and stops writing) maybe if I hadn’t listened to Yussef… no… it would’ve meant no difference, there’s no other choice… even drill sergeants are being sent over here as reinforcements… the other day I saw Wyborowa, all I want is to stay away from him
(Yussef enters stage right)
YUSSEF: Hey baby, did you miss me?
IVAN: Where were you?
YUSSEF: Taking a crap (points to stage right)
(Ivan laughs)
YUSSEF: I didn’t know you were writing a diary
IVAN: Me neither
YUSSEF: (looks at Ivan and loses his sense of humor) Are you worried?
IVAN: (looks down) Yes…
YUSSEF: (pats Ivan’s shoulder) Don’t be… I’m here to protect you
(A voice is heard)
ARMY COMMANDER: Alright boys… let’s make a lookout for injured comrades…
(Both Yussef and Ivan get up and start walking)
IVAN: What is that sound?
YUSSEF: (alarmed) MORTARS!!!
(They both throw themselves to the floor and little explosions are heard)
IVAN: (looking around) Wait! (now looks at Yussef) Those weren’t mortars
YUSSEF: (looks back and alarmed) IT’S GAS!!! (puts on mask, and looks at Ivan) What the hell are you doing… PUT ON YOUR MASK!!!
(After some seconds in the floor)
IVAN: (takes off mask) I can’t breath!!
YUSSEF: Are you stupid or something? (puts Ivan his mask on again) You’ll die if you take it off!!!
IVAN: Goddamn it!!! I just shit my pants! (starts to laugh)
YUSSEF: (takes off mask) Alright it’s clear… RUN!!!
(They both run off stage right)
(Scene ends)
Scene 9
(Curtains open, there’s a lot of people are dressed as soldiers at stage right, an Army Commander speaks)
ARMY COMMANDER: Alright boys… this is what it all comes down to. One last charge, and we’ll defeat the Germans, one last charge and the war for us will be over… only one last charge, to unleash hell and kill them all
(A roar from the soldiers is heard)
ARMY COMMANDER: Yes that’s right… LET ME FEEL THE WRATH OF THE RUSSIANS!!!
(An even higher roar is heard, then everything is quiet and the only two who move are Yussef and Ivan)
IVAN: (enthusiastic) Did you hear that? One charge and it’ll all be over, the war will be over… WILL BE VICTORIUS!
YUSSEF: (concerned) One last charge and the war will be over, but the Russians won’t win… enjoy because this is our Last Ride…
(Ivan’s face is visibly concerned, then he looks at the Commander and everybody recovers their life)
ARMY COMMANDER: Yes… YES… KILL THEM ALL!!! DON’T LEAVE ONE ALIVE!!! … But this I will tell you, you will charge with no compassion, and if you hesitate at the least (makes a gesture of shooting a gun) I’ll be the one who puts a bullet on your head
(Everyone’s quiet, then Ivan looks at Yussef and everybody loses their life again)
IVAN: (concerned) He’s not serious is he?
YUSSEF: (shrugs off) Don’t know, but wouldn’t like to find out
(Everybody returns to life)
ARMY COMMANDER: ATTAAAAAAACK!!!!!
(The army roars, and runs out to stage left, including Yussef and Ivan… the roar continues and they return in five seconds, the Germans are overwhelmed them.)
YUSSEF: Quick to the trench!
(Both jump to a trench. Five Russians drop dead, three Germans drop; two are death dead and the other one is dragged off by two comrades. Both armies retreat. Two Germans come in from stage left)
SOLDIER 1: Come on Franz… there’s nothing here
FRANZ: No… come on Kai you have to believe me… I swear I saw someone jump to a trench
(Upon hearing this Yussef holds Ivan’s mouth, and Ivan closes his eyes)
KAI: (desperate) I’m telling you… you’re gonna get us ki…(gets shut up by Franz)
(Kai counts with his finger to three and they catch Yussef and Ivan. Kai caught Ivan while Franz caught Yussef. Yussef takes his knife and kills Franz. Then starts running stage right but is shot by Kai.)
KAI: (throws Ivan to the floor and bends his knees to cry for Franz) WHYYYYY!!!!!
(Franz tries to tell something to Kai, but he is unable to decipher Franz’ gurgles, at the same time Ivan tries to escape but is caught by Kai who takes him out stage left. After they’re out you can see that Yussef has started to drag himself off to stage right.)
Scene 10
(Curtains open, and you can see Yussef discussing with the Army Commander.)
YUSSEF: (notably maddened) WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO!!!
ARMY COMMANDER: (calmer) Comrade Popovich, how many times do I have to tell you… Russia has suffered way too many losses; I cannot help you… We will leave the front tomorrow
YUSSEF: YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!! Ivan is still over there, he was caught… the poor kid is seventeen years old, unlike us he still has a life in front of him! We cannot leave them to the mercy of the Germans!
ARMY COMMANDER: (losing his patience) Comrade Smirnoff is death!
YUSSEF: NO HE’S NOT!!!
ARMY COMMANDER: (losing his cool) MUST I REPEAT MYSELF… HE’S DEATH!!!
YUSSEF: NOOOO!!! (stares to the floor) We can still save him… there’s still chance
ARMY COMMANDER: I will not give you MY men to accomplish YOUR little crusade to save ONE man (looks around maddened) IT’S SUICIDAL!!!
YUSSEF: You didn’t care about suicidal when WE had to accomplish YOUR little “Unleash Hell” campaign
(At this remark the Commander takes no more, and hits Yussef on the stomach and then hits a forearm to his back. After this he grabs Yussef by the hair and remarks.)
ARMY COMMANDER: Go to hell Popovich… but don’t take Russia with you (then he slams Yussef to the floor)
(The Commander leaves to stage right, and leaves Yussef alone on stage)
YUSSEF: (gets on his knees for the first time) Why? WHYYYYY!!!!! How come everybody I come to love dies? How come I have to be the one who has to leave on? (looks up) WHY DO YOU PUNISH ME SO!!! (looks down and starts crying) First my dad and older brother, I was only eleven-years-old, and all of a sudden my dad and brother don’t come back from the factory. Then my mom… cancer, all of a sudden I was fifteen and alone in this wrecked world. When I was seventeen, I met my new reason to live … Natasha… but now she’s dead due to ammonia. Then I met Ivan (struggles for a while, but then looks to the crowd and says)… I may not love him… but I promised him that I would protect him… I promised that he would return to Russia, and I must keep my word
(Curtains close, scene is over)
Scene 11
(Curtains open, a drunken Kai and another German are keeping watch over Ivan who is tied up in a cross)
KAI: (crying) Why? Just tell me why Hansel? I can’t believe it. I dragged my little brother to war, and then I dragged him to the place where he would be killed. How could I be so stupid?
HANSEL: Come on Kai, you can’t blame everything to yourself… it’s not your fault
KAI: Don’t you see I took him directly to his death, and his little face, and how he squealed when he tried to talk to me… will I never forget this?
HANSEL: (pats Kai on the shoulder) Look… why don’t you go for something to eat and then we’ll talk about it.
KAI: Alright (gets up and leaves to stage left)
(Hansel picks up the Kirsch bottle that Kai left on the floor and drinks)
IVAN: Hey… could I have some?
HANSEL: What? Kirsch? (lifts the bottle so Ivan may see it)
(Ivan nods, at this gesture Hansel laughs and gets up)
HANSEL: So you want some Kirsch eh? (drinks some and then spits it at Ivan’s face and starts laughing)
(After that Ivan loses his cool and spits at Hansel’s face, who in turn hits him on the stomach and the ribs, after this he sends an uppercut to Ivan’s chin who spits out blood, and starts to cry)
HANSEL: Aw… is the little baby crying? (but Ivan’s cries turn to a laugh, which freaks Hansel up) What the hell?
IVAN: You don’t know what’s coming to you… My countrymen will save me
HANSEL: Yeah… I think I hit you too hard because your countrymen are retreating… they probably think you’re dead OR (Hansel grins) they just don’t care about you
(At this Ivan starts to cry again, but all of a sudden Hansel drops death, and from behind Ivan, Yussef appears covering Ivan’s mouth and untying him)
IVAN: (excited) I knew you’d come (eyes water)
YUSSEF: There’s no time to get too happy we might not be able to get out of here alive (looks concerned)
IVAN: But if you were able to come in you must be able to come out? …
YUSSEF: This is the plan… you see over there (points at stage right) if we get there undetected, we’ll get to no man’s land without been seen and then it’s a run-for-it
IVAN: (sarcastically) I love your plans
YUSSEF: Can you think of anything better?
IVAN: Nah
YUSSEF: OK let’s go
(They both crawl a little bit, but Kai arrives at that time)
KAI: Hey Hansel you want beef, or Frankfurters… (Glances at Hansel on the floor death, and then at Yussef and Ivan who are escaping) What the hell?
YUSSEF: RUN!!!
(Both get up, but Kai is fast and takes out a gun with which he shoots Yussef on the leg, at this Ivan stops and waits for Yussef to get up)
YUSSEF: RUN!!! (Ivan is hesitant) I said run and don’t look back!!! AGHHH (he screams in pain)
(Ivan quickly glances at Kai who is pointing his gun at him, and runs… Kai shoots but misses… he is noticeably shocked, in the meantime Yussef is still crawling, but is stopped by Kai, and they stare at each other for 5 seconds)
KAI: (shocked) YOU?!?!?! You killed my brother…you killed Hansel… and now you’re under my mercy… isn’t life an ass?
(Yussef is still crawling out of sheer instinct)
KAI: It’s time to finish this… (after stating this he shoots Yussef on the face, then under his misery goes on his knees and beats Yussef’s death body up)
(Curtains close and the last thing seen is the middle of the stage where Kai is crying on his knees over Yussef)
Scene 12
(Curtains open one last time, Ivan is now an old man sitting on a chair and there’s a little kid sitting on the floor listening to him)
IVAN: The End… Did you like the story Yussef?
YUSSEF: Why is the guy in your story named like me, grandpa?
IVAN: That’s because you’re named after him
YUSSEF: Why?
IVAN: Because I wanted Yussef’s memory to stay alive through you
(A woman comes in through stage left)
WOMAN: Hey dad
IVAN: Hey Natasha… how are you?
NATASHA: Good… are you telling little Yussef your stories again?
YUSSEF: Hey Grandpa what happened when you where with the Germans?
NATASHA: No time sweetie… you have to sleep
YUSSEF: But mommy
IVAN: That’s another story for another time Yussef… now go to sleep
(Yussef gets up and runs out to stage right)
NATASHA: (talking to Ivan) Would you like some coffee?
IVAN: Please
(Ivan struggles to get up, but Natasha holds his arm and helps him go out to stage right)
(Curtains close… End of the Play)
P4-5
February 13, 2007
WWI Scene Abstract Description
New Character Names: Ivan Smirnoff, Yussef Popovich, Natasha Popovich, and Officer Igor Wyborowa
The play is centered on two main characters, Yussef Popovich, and Ivan Smirnoff. Yussef is a man that has been in the army for two years and one and a half of those he spent on the frontline. His wife (Natasha) died and he’s sent back to the training grounds, where he meets a young patriotic kid (Ivan) who thinks that Yussef should be more grateful about helping his country. Yussef on the other hand convinces Ivan that war is about saving your ass and that he should not allow Officer Igor Wyborowa (secondary character) take advantage of his loyalty. After Ivan finally disobeyed Officer Wyborowa; they were both sent to the frontline where they will have to fight alongside each other to survive. The story concludes after Yussef risks his life08h08h8h8h to save Ivan (who was captured), but only one returns.
All right… so the main characters are: Yussef Popovich and Ivan Smirnoff. The Play starts by giving some background info of Yussef.
BETWEEN YOU AND ME
Scene 1
(Yussef and Natasha Popovich are in their pub in a little Russian town, cleaning dishes and the floor respectively)
NATASHA: Wow, we might actually be able to move on with our lives after you lost your job to that machine at that factory!
YUSSEF: Guess you’re right, after all this little business isn’t that bad eh? I mean we’re making money
NATASHA: (reluctantly) Yes dear… you’re right… money
(A knock on the door is heard)
YUSSEF: Who is it? … We’re closed!
(The door opens, several men from the army enter)
ARMY OFFICER: Mr. and Mrs. Popovich, I am sorry to inform you, that this pub is no longer yours and it will be temporarily occupied by the army
NATASHA: (worried) Will we ever have the pub back?
ARMY OFFICER: (sarcastically) Of course (laughs)
(Light fades and the curtains are closed)
Scene 2
(Yussef is sitting in a sofa alongside Natasha)
YUSSEF: (frustrated) It’s no use… nobody will ever let me work for them without my goddamn right hand
NATASHA: Don’t worry; I’m sure there’s somebody out there who can make use of someone like you
YUSSEF: (sobbing) Like me what… A wretch!!
NATASHA: (sympathetically) No… not a wretch at all… a dignified and honest man who will work with incredible strength looking for a better life (pats his cheek)
YUSSEF: (now calmer) Oh Natasha, why would such a beautiful woman spend her life with someone like me when there are so much chances for her outside… you know that our only chance to keep the house is if I join the army in the upcoming war and even so I might not even last… DON’T YOU SEE I’M A FAILURE!
NATASHA: (now she holds Yussef’s hand) I stay because I love you………and I’m sure there’s much more for someone like you out there, and if there’s not I will remain by your side… now and always
(Now Yussef cries, and they hug) (The scene is over)
(Natasha now steps up and states that Yussef has departed to war)
Scene 3
(There is a cheerful seventeen-year-old kid in soldier uniform scrubbing the floor with a toothbrush, while a man gives him orders)
IGOR: (imposing) Come on Smirnoff… don’t tell me your rich ass has never cleaned a floor before… there …you missed a spot
IVAN: Sir yes sir
IGOR: So… Smirnoff, where do you come from eh?
IVAN: (continues to scrub the floor) I am from a middle class family sir… I enlisted to the army because it is the noblest thing for my country we fight against tyrants in a righteous way may we slay all the Germans
IGOR: Ha, ha, ha that’s what I like to hear… What the hell are you doing! (takes the toothbrush and slaps the kid in the head, then takes mud and throws it on the floor) now do it good…or else
IVAN: (still in a cheerful manner) Sir it is my pleasure, sir
(Igor becomes frustrated and leaves) (end of scene)
Scene 4
(Ivan returns to his tent in the training grounds, there is a drunken man inside)
YUSSEF: (delirating) Natasha… my God it’s been so long since I saw you baby
(tries to hug Ivan, but is pushed away, loses balance, falls and starts to cry)
IVAN: What the hell are you thinking? … For God’s sake look at you you’re a wreck, I am embarrassed to think that you were even part of the Russian frontline
YUSSEF: (sips more vodka) You do not know anything, you’re too young (starts to cry)
IVAN: At least we can tell the difference between us of who would crap his pants up there and who wouldn’t
YUSSEF: (laughing) Are you insinuating that your mom still wipes your rich ass… where do you hide her, she might be good company (keeps laughing)
IVAN: (punches Yussef in the face) DON’T YOU EVER TALK LIKE THAT ABOUT MY MOM!!! (kicks him in the gut)
(Yussef gets up and applies a hammerlock to Ivan, but Ivan gets out, and takes Yussef down again)
IVAN: You’re so drunk you would not beat my five-year-old nephew (spits, then he reflects about what happened and asks) Who is Natasha anyways?
YUSSEF: (barks) None of your business!!!
IVAN: My bad… sorry for trying to start a conversation (rolls eyes)
YUSSEF: When I was your age I fell in love… her name was Natasha. She was the most beautiful girl in the world… only one problem, her family was rich and her father wouldn’t give her up to me, and rightfully so for I was nothing but a god forsaken poor devil.
IVAN: (very interested) What happened?
YUSSEF: She escaped with me, but my job as a farmer barely got me any money to sustain myself even less a family, so I took another job in a factory
IVAN: (remarks) Decent job
YUSSEF: Or at least that’s what they say… believe me it’s not pretty in there. But nonetheless what happened is that after a year of working there, my loyalty ended up in being replaced by a machine and lost my job, then a younger more energetic kid replaced me in the farm. My wife had the idea to open a pub and even though it wasn’t the greatest job, ‘since I don’t like fights’… there was nothing better at the time. After two months, only one fight with all damages paid, the all-powerful and righteous army came and said… (Imitates voice) excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Popovich, I am sorry to inform you, that this pub is no longer yours and it will be temporarily occupied by the army, have a nice day
IVAN: (maddened) Don’t talk like that about the army, where is your sense of patriotism? look at what they do for YOUR country, you should be proud that you had the chance to serve in such way, any day I would happily agree to give ALL of my properties to the army for the good of our country
YUSSEF: Is that so?
(no answer, Ivan had realized he was talking nonsense)
YUSSEF: Anyways, after the pub my only choice to sustain Natasha was to join the army, which I reluctantly did… after that my life has just broken into pieces. Six months after recruitment I was sent to the eastern front. Six months after that my wife contracted ammonia. A year later she died. Three months later I became an alcoholic. A month after that I feel like an old man telling tales of his youth to a kid, to you.
(Ivan gulps) (he realizes that offending somebody without knowing about them is a great crime)
IVAN: Forgive me for insulting you
(Yussef nods and starts crying, takes another gulp of vodka and hugs Ivan)
Scene 5
(Ivan is arriving at his tent again where he finds Yussef who is no longer drunk and is playing solitaire and smoking a cig)
IVAN: (surprised) Hey, you’re not drunk anymore
YUSSEF: Yeah… I realized that my wife is death and nothing I do will change that, so I just stopped drinking ‘cause there’s no point in that……… Damn… I didn’t know they kept recruits so much time in the training grounds, what happened?
IVAN: I had to run two extra miles for having my elbow bend at the time to salute Officer Igor Wyborowa, then I had to clean the bathrooms again as is my duty, I like it I think it builds toughness in the heart of a soldier
YUSSEF: You wanna play?
IVAN: What?
YUSSEF: Poker
IVAN: I suppose so
YUSSEF: Why do you take all that shit from Wyborowa?
IVAN: It might sound unfair at first, but it helps build toughness and discipline and that is exactly what I need if I am to go to the front
(Yussef laughs)
IVAN: What’s the matter?
YUSSEF: It’s just weird… how do you think that you will need to be disciplined at all in the front?
IVAN: (confidently) It will give me the security to follow orders
YUSSEF: Considering the state in which you met me it might be hard for you to believe this, but as you know I spent a year and a half at the front under constant bombardments and believe me, once you’re up there you don’t think you act. You don’t even know how, but you do, it is like a primal instinct, one that has been buried under our minds for a very long time, and rises to take control of you… in the front you’re not yourself… you are a beast
IVAN: How does that apply here?
YUSSEF: Wyborowa is just taking advantage of you… cleaning the bathrooms is probably HIS job and he makes YOU do it for him… pretty smart huh? To take advantage of a new recruit… because that is what he sees you like… a recruit not a comrade
IVAN: Oh really? … And what do you expect ME to do about it
YUSSEF: Disobey
IVAN: What?!?! … I’ll get my ass kicked by the Officer Igor Wyborowa!!!
YUSSEF: You said you wanted to toughen up, didn’t you? He dislikes you for being fragile, and besides you beat me remember?
IVAN: (jumps up startled) YES, BUT YOU WERE DRUNK!!!
YUSSEF: (looks up) I got three aces
IVAN: (yells) SEE!!! That’s what is so wrong with you… you never take anything seriously!
YUSSEF: All I know of war is what I learned up there and believe me war is not about being disciplined, it is about saving your ass! Next thing you’ll know is that Wyborowa is gonna say “shield me” and you’ll find yourself jumping in front of a bullet… exchanging a kids life for that of a grown man.
(Scene ends)
Scene 6
[Yussef enters from stage right and keeps walking across stage]
[Ivan enters from stage left caring bucket of hot water and bumps into Yussef]
[water falls on ground enter Comrade Officer Igor stage left]
IGOR: What is going on here? I needed that water for my coffee. Another mistake like this and I’ll make sure you get sent to one of the most dangerous parts of the front!
IVAN: (salutes Igor) I…. (Interrupted by Yussef)
YUSSEF: Don’t scold him Comrade Igor Wyborowa, I am to blame it was my fault.
IGOR: Why you a respectable veteran stick up for this piece of garbage I don’t know. But (looks at Ivan), that won’t save YOU… now go do three laps around the camp, and afterwards you’ll have to make me another coffee, and clean my underwear.
[Igor angrily starts to leaves]
IVAN: NO!!!
IGOR: (startled) What?
IVAN: I will not let you keep taking advantage of me!
(Yussef taps Ivan’s shoulder)
IGOR: (glances toward Yussef, and then Ivan, and salutes) I salute you… the newest additions to the eastern front (leaves laughing)
(After a second Ivan falls to his knees, and Yussef lifts his chin in adversity)
(Curtains close)
Scene 7
(Ivan is angered at Yussef and explodes at him)
IVAN: (angered) What’s your problem? I can’t believe that I actually looked up to you!!!
YUSSEF: (puzzled) What do you mean looked up to me? You’ve always criticized me about being undeserving to be Russian, about being a drunkard, and now you look up to me?
IVAN: Yeah… ever since you where here you’ve made me believe more and more of myself… You even got me to defy a sergeant and look at what happened, you were and will always be a crazy drunkard.
YUSSEF: I would never imagine you seeing me as a role model, but there is nothing we can do about this now
(Ivan angered, punches Yussef in the face)
IVAN: What do you mean there is nothing to do about it? Because of you I have disappointed my country, I have disappointed myself, and the only thing that awaits me here is death
YUSSEF: (still on the ground sarcastically) I thought you would do anything for your country
(Ivan holds Yussef by the neck of his shirt and lifts him)
IVAN: Is this all a joke to you?
(Yussef reverses Ivan’s hold and pushes him to the ground to forces him to listen)
YUSSEF: You did the right thing not taking crap from Wyborowa… do you have no pride?
(Yussef lets go of the hold, and Ivan stumbles in the floor to sit)
IVAN: To hell with pride… don’t you see I’m scared? … I should’ve never stood up to Wyborowa!!!
YUSSEF: (remarks) You weren’t afraid at first
IVAN: I ignored the risks… now I’ve heard your stories
(Ivan starts to cry and Yussef hugs him to comfort him)
(Curtains close end of Scene)
Scene 8
(Scene starts, only Ivan is on stage, he is writing a diary)
IVAN: (writing in a scared tone) Two days have passed since I was sent to war, but this is the only break that we’ve had from the goddamn shell bombing. Yussef left little time after the bombings, and said he’d be back. More and more rumors have been spreading about Russia leaving the war… but how I see things, if it DOES happen… it’ll be too late for most of us here. The trenches are filled with blood, Yussef and I are the only one’s left on our trench. We were four at first, but one went crazy and escaped… this morning we found him laying outside dying… he had no legs. The other one was just unlucky… The trench fell on him when a shellfire fell near us. My eyes are still stained with all the casualties I’ve witnessed. I can’t take this any longer… (drops down diary and stops writing) maybe if I hadn’t listened to Yussef… no… it would’ve meant no difference, there’s no other choice… even drill sergeants are being sent over here as reinforcements… the other day I saw Wyborowa, all I want is to stay away from him
(Yussef enters stage right)
YUSSEF: Hey baby, did you miss me?
IVAN: Where were you?
YUSSEF: Taking a crap (points to stage right)
(Ivan laughs)
YUSSEF: I didn’t know you were writing a diary
IVAN: Me neither
YUSSEF: (looks at Ivan and loses his sense of humor) Are you worried?
IVAN: (looks down) Yes…
YUSSEF: (pats Ivan’s shoulder) Don’t be… I’m here to protect you
(A voice is heard)
ARMY COMMANDER: Alright boys… let’s make a lookout for injured comrades…
(Both Yussef and Ivan get up and start walking)
IVAN: What is that sound?
YUSSEF: (alarmed) MORTARS!!!
(They both throw themselves to the floor and little explosions are heard)
IVAN: (looking around) Wait! (now looks at Yussef) Those weren’t mortars
YUSSEF: (looks back and alarmed) IT’S GAS!!! (puts on mask, and looks at Ivan) What the hell are you doing… PUT ON YOUR MASK!!!
(After some seconds in the floor)
IVAN: (takes off mask) I can’t breath!!
YUSSEF: Are you stupid or something? (puts Ivan his mask on again) You’ll die if you take it off!!!
IVAN: Goddamn it!!! I just shit my pants! (starts to laugh)
YUSSEF: (takes off mask) Alright it’s clear… RUN!!!
(They both run off stage right)
(Scene ends)
Scene 9
(Curtains open, there’s a lot of people are dressed as soldiers at stage right, an Army Commander speaks)
ARMY COMMANDER: Alright boys… this is what it all comes down to. One last charge, and we’ll defeat the Germans, one last charge and the war for us will be over… only one last charge, to unleash hell and kill them all
(A roar from the soldiers is heard)
ARMY COMMANDER: Yes that’s right… LET ME FEEL THE WRATH OF THE RUSSIANS!!!
(An even higher roar is heard, then everything is quiet and the only two who move are Yussef and Ivan)
IVAN: (enthusiastic) Did you hear that? One charge and it’ll all be over, the war will be over… WILL BE VICTORIUS!
YUSSEF: (concerned) One last charge and the war will be over, but the Russians won’t win… enjoy because this is our Last Ride…
(Ivan’s face is visibly concerned, then he looks at the Commander and everybody recovers their life)
ARMY COMMANDER: Yes… YES… KILL THEM ALL!!! DON’T LEAVE ONE ALIVE!!! … But this I will tell you, you will charge with no compassion, and if you hesitate at the least (makes a gesture of shooting a gun) I’ll be the one who puts a bullet on your head
(Everyone’s quiet, then Ivan looks at Yussef and everybody loses their life again)
IVAN: (concerned) He’s not serious is he?
YUSSEF: (shrugs off) Don’t know, but wouldn’t like to find out
(Everybody returns to life)
ARMY COMMANDER: ATTAAAAAAACK!!!!!
(The army roars, and runs out to stage left, including Yussef and Ivan… the roar continues and they return in five seconds, the Germans are overwhelmed them.)
YUSSEF: Quick to the trench!
(Both jump to a trench. Five Russians drop dead, three Germans drop; two are death dead and the other one is dragged off by two comrades. Both armies retreat. Two Germans come in from stage left)
SOLDIER 1: Come on Franz… there’s nothing here
FRANZ: No… come on Kai you have to believe me… I swear I saw someone jump to a trench
(Upon hearing this Yussef holds Ivan’s mouth, and Ivan closes his eyes)
KAI: (desperate) I’m telling you… you’re gonna get us ki…(gets shut up by Franz)
(Kai counts with his finger to three and they catch Yussef and Ivan. Kai caught Ivan while Franz caught Yussef. Yussef takes his knife and kills Franz. Then starts running stage right but is shot by Kai.)
KAI: (throws Ivan to the floor and bends his knees to cry for Franz) WHYYYYY!!!!!
(Franz tries to tell something to Kai, but he is unable to decipher Franz’ gurgles, at the same time Ivan tries to escape but is caught by Kai who takes him out stage left. After they’re out you can see that Yussef has started to drag himself off to stage right.)
Scene 10
(Curtains open, and you can see Yussef discussing with the Army Commander.)
YUSSEF: (notably maddened) WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO!!!
ARMY COMMANDER: (calmer) Comrade Popovich, how many times do I have to tell you… Russia has suffered way too many losses; I cannot help you… We will leave the front tomorrow
YUSSEF: YOU CAN’T DO THAT!!! Ivan is still over there, he was caught… the poor kid is seventeen years old, unlike us he still has a life in front of him! We cannot leave them to the mercy of the Germans!
ARMY COMMANDER: (losing his patience) Comrade Smirnoff is death!
YUSSEF: NO HE’S NOT!!!
ARMY COMMANDER: (losing his cool) MUST I REPEAT MYSELF… HE’S DEATH!!!
YUSSEF: NOOOO!!! (stares to the floor) We can still save him… there’s still chance
ARMY COMMANDER: I will not give you MY men to accomplish YOUR little crusade to save ONE man (looks around maddened) IT’S SUICIDAL!!!
YUSSEF: You didn’t care about suicidal when WE had to accomplish YOUR little “Unleash Hell” campaign
(At this remark the Commander takes no more, and hits Yussef on the stomach and then hits a forearm to his back. After this he grabs Yussef by the hair and remarks.)
ARMY COMMANDER: Go to hell Popovich… but don’t take Russia with you (then he slams Yussef to the floor)
(The Commander leaves to stage right, and leaves Yussef alone on stage)
YUSSEF: (gets on his knees for the first time) Why? WHYYYYY!!!!! How come everybody I come to love dies? How come I have to be the one who has to leave on? (looks up) WHY DO YOU PUNISH ME SO!!! (looks down and starts crying) First my dad and older brother, I was only eleven-years-old, and all of a sudden my dad and brother don’t come back from the factory. Then my mom… cancer, all of a sudden I was fifteen and alone in this wrecked world. When I was seventeen, I met my new reason to live … Natasha… but now she’s dead due to ammonia. Then I met Ivan (struggles for a while, but then looks to the crowd and says)… I may not love him… but I promised him that I would protect him… I promised that he would return to Russia, and I must keep my word
(Curtains close, scene is over)
Scene 11
(Curtains open, a drunken Kai and another German are keeping watch over Ivan who is tied up in a cross)
KAI: (crying) Why? Just tell me why Hansel? I can’t believe it. I dragged my little brother to war, and then I dragged him to the place where he would be killed. How could I be so stupid?
HANSEL: Come on Kai, you can’t blame everything to yourself… it’s not your fault
KAI: Don’t you see I took him directly to his death, and his little face, and how he squealed when he tried to talk to me… will I never forget this?
HANSEL: (pats Kai on the shoulder) Look… why don’t you go for something to eat and then we’ll talk about it.
KAI: Alright (gets up and leaves to stage left)
(Hansel picks up the Kirsch bottle that Kai left on the floor and drinks)
IVAN: Hey… could I have some?
HANSEL: What? Kirsch? (lifts the bottle so Ivan may see it)
(Ivan nods, at this gesture Hansel laughs and gets up)
HANSEL: So you want some Kirsch eh? (drinks some and then spits it at Ivan’s face and starts laughing)
(After that Ivan loses his cool and spits at Hansel’s face, who in turn hits him on the stomach and the ribs, after this he sends an uppercut to Ivan’s chin who spits out blood, and starts to cry)
HANSEL: Aw… is the little baby crying? (but Ivan’s cries turn to a laugh, which freaks Hansel up) What the hell?
IVAN: You don’t know what’s coming to you… My countrymen will save me
HANSEL: Yeah… I think I hit you too hard because your countrymen are retreating… they probably think you’re dead OR (Hansel grins) they just don’t care about you
(At this Ivan starts to cry again, but all of a sudden Hansel drops death, and from behind Ivan, Yussef appears covering Ivan’s mouth and untying him)
IVAN: (excited) I knew you’d come (eyes water)
YUSSEF: There’s no time to get too happy we might not be able to get out of here alive (looks concerned)
IVAN: But if you were able to come in you must be able to come out? …
YUSSEF: This is the plan… you see over there (points at stage right) if we get there undetected, we’ll get to no man’s land without been seen and then it’s a run-for-it
IVAN: (sarcastically) I love your plans
YUSSEF: Can you think of anything better?
IVAN: Nah
YUSSEF: OK let’s go
(They both crawl a little bit, but Kai arrives at that time)
KAI: Hey Hansel you want beef, or Frankfurters… (Glances at Hansel on the floor death, and then at Yussef and Ivan who are escaping) What the hell?
YUSSEF: RUN!!!
(Both get up, but Kai is fast and takes out a gun with which he shoots Yussef on the leg, at this Ivan stops and waits for Yussef to get up)
YUSSEF: RUN!!! (Ivan is hesitant) I said run and don’t look back!!! AGHHH (he screams in pain)
(Ivan quickly glances at Kai who is pointing his gun at him, and runs… Kai shoots but misses… he is noticeably shocked, in the meantime Yussef is still crawling, but is stopped by Kai, and they stare at each other for 5 seconds)
KAI: (shocked) YOU?!?!?! You killed my brother…you killed Hansel… and now you’re under my mercy… isn’t life an ass?
(Yussef is still crawling out of sheer instinct)
KAI: It’s time to finish this… (after stating this he shoots Yussef on the face, then under his misery goes on his knees and beats Yussef’s death body up)
(Curtains close and the last thing seen is the middle of the stage where Kai is crying on his knees over Yussef)
Scene 12
(Curtains open one last time, Ivan is now an old man sitting on a chair and there’s a little kid sitting on the floor listening to him)
IVAN: The End… Did you like the story Yussef?
YUSSEF: Why is the guy in your story named like me, grandpa?
IVAN: That’s because you’re named after him
YUSSEF: Why?
IVAN: Because I wanted Yussef’s memory to stay alive through you
(A woman comes in through stage left)
WOMAN: Hey dad
IVAN: Hey Natasha… how are you?
NATASHA: Good… are you telling little Yussef your stories again?
YUSSEF: Hey Grandpa what happened when you where with the Germans?
NATASHA: No time sweetie… you have to sleep
YUSSEF: But mommy
IVAN: That’s another story for another time Yussef… now go to sleep
(Yussef gets up and runs out to stage right)
NATASHA: (talking to Ivan) Would you like some coffee?
IVAN: Please
(Ivan struggles to get up, but Natasha holds his arm and helps him go out to stage right)
(Curtains close… End of the Play)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Between You and Me
The play is centered on two main characters, Yussef Popovich, and Ivan Smirnoff. Yussef is a man that has been in the army for two years and one and a half of those he spent on the frontline. His wife (Natasha) died and he’s sent back to the training grounds, where he meets a young patriotic kid (Ivan) who thinks that Yussef should be more grateful about helping his country. Yussef on the other hand convinces Ivan that war is about saving your ass and that he should not allow Officer Igor Wyborowa (secondary character) take advantage of his loyalty. After Ivan finally disobeyed Officer Wyborowa; they were both sent to the frontline where they will have to fight alongside each other to survive. The story concludes after Yussef risks his life to save Ivan (who was captured), but only one returns.
Monday, February 12, 2007
All Quiet on the Western Front - Claustrophobia
Oh damn!... Can you hear it? They are attacking, they are attacking us! We are being bombarded! We are all gonna die!!! No... no, no, no, NO! This can't be happening... Why? My God, I can't take it anymore. Don't these people realize... we are under shell fire and we are put into A goddamned hole! A HOLE! We are easier targets now. If a bomb falls upon us then there's nothing we can do. Nothing! Oh my God. I gotta get outta here... I NEED to get outta here! For God's sake. DAMN IT!!! NO!!!!!
Friday, February 9, 2007
Moving On
Today, during class we had a class discussion about All Quiet on the Western Front and war in general. We talked about different aspects of war, we talked about WWI, WWII, Desert Storm, and wars in general. After the discussion I came to the computer to write my reflection (about a subject that I already forgot) and Lucien told me that he was pretty annoyed about the fact that everytime we talk about war it goes back to past crimes and leaders. He told me that he was pretty annoyed about us not talking about wars NOW; it always goes back to Alexander, it always goes back to Hitler; WWI. Me, I believe he is right in the sense that war is NOT a thing of the past. War is currently waged in the Middle East, and in Africa, but for some reason we talk about Hitler and not Bush (or the US senate for that matter). We talk about the Holocaust and not Darfur, and even though the Holocaust was bigger, Darfur is present. And even though history is important; I believe that the present is more so.
Human Animals
"At the sound of the first droning of the shells we rush back, in one part of our being, a thousand years. By the animal instinct that is awakened in us we are led and protected. It is not conscious; it is far quicker, much more sure, less fallible, than consciousness. . . . It is this other, this second sight in us, that has thrown us to the ground and saved us, without our knowing how. . . . We march up, moody or good-tempered soldiers—we reach the zone where the front begins and become on the instant human animals."
All Quiet on the Western Front is considered the greatest war novel of all time. It is situated during WWI, and it talks about a twenty year old guy named Paul Bäumer, who finds himself stuck in a war that he got into as a result of nationalism and false faith. He is there along a group of friends from his class who were convinced to go by their teacher, Kantorek. Kantorek would tell them romantic stories involving the war and convinced them that war was beautiful when in reality they have just found out that there are two generations, those who go to war and those who convince them.
During a bombardment Paul Bäumer describes how earth is mother to everyone, but more than anyone else to the soldiers. “To no man does the earth mean so much as to the soldier. When he presses himself down upon her long and powerfully, when he buries his face and his limbs deep in her from the fear of death from shell-fire, then she is his only friend, his brother, his mother; he stifles his terror and his cries in her silence and her security; she shelters him and releases him for ten seconds to live, to run, ten seconds of life; receives him again and often forever.” He also refers to themselves as “human animals” when they find themselves in this situation. I believe this is because they are reduced to nothing but their most primal instincts in order to survive.
All Quiet on the Western Front is considered the greatest war novel of all time. It is situated during WWI, and it talks about a twenty year old guy named Paul Bäumer, who finds himself stuck in a war that he got into as a result of nationalism and false faith. He is there along a group of friends from his class who were convinced to go by their teacher, Kantorek. Kantorek would tell them romantic stories involving the war and convinced them that war was beautiful when in reality they have just found out that there are two generations, those who go to war and those who convince them.
During a bombardment Paul Bäumer describes how earth is mother to everyone, but more than anyone else to the soldiers. “To no man does the earth mean so much as to the soldier. When he presses himself down upon her long and powerfully, when he buries his face and his limbs deep in her from the fear of death from shell-fire, then she is his only friend, his brother, his mother; he stifles his terror and his cries in her silence and her security; she shelters him and releases him for ten seconds to live, to run, ten seconds of life; receives him again and often forever.” He also refers to themselves as “human animals” when they find themselves in this situation. I believe this is because they are reduced to nothing but their most primal instincts in order to survive.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Napoleon Bonaparte - King of the People
After Napoleon abdicates in 1814, the revolution is officially over, and Louis XVIII is crowned King of France. Can you believe it? The monarchy returns!!! In light of our investigation of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, evaluate the legacy of the French Revolution. Do you believe it was a success or a failure? Your response should be atleast 150 words.
Napoleon Bonaparte was an amazing French leader who in less than 11 years conquered territory only rivaled by that of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Hitler. He believed that his mission on Earth was to conquer the world and he practically did. An amazing figure in the French revolution and needlessly to say incredibly controversial. Napoleon made himself known in France by ascending to power, and after the revolution had taken place crowning himself king! Many people debate whether he was beneficial to the French Revolution or harmful to it. The people that thought he was a danger to the revolution debate that he spent way too much money in his personal campaigns to prove his might, while those who see him as helpful debate that he constructed schools, roads, hospitals, and such works. Personally, I believe that he was an incredible help for the revolution, because even though he brought monarchy back to France, he fulfilled what the revolution started in the first place for, equality. Under his command the third state attained a better lifestyle, and the first and second states obtained the exact same rights as those of the “people”.
Napoleon Bonaparte was an amazing French leader who in less than 11 years conquered territory only rivaled by that of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Hitler. He believed that his mission on Earth was to conquer the world and he practically did. An amazing figure in the French revolution and needlessly to say incredibly controversial. Napoleon made himself known in France by ascending to power, and after the revolution had taken place crowning himself king! Many people debate whether he was beneficial to the French Revolution or harmful to it. The people that thought he was a danger to the revolution debate that he spent way too much money in his personal campaigns to prove his might, while those who see him as helpful debate that he constructed schools, roads, hospitals, and such works. Personally, I believe that he was an incredible help for the revolution, because even though he brought monarchy back to France, he fulfilled what the revolution started in the first place for, equality. Under his command the third state attained a better lifestyle, and the first and second states obtained the exact same rights as those of the “people”.
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