Structured Side Of The Kadinsky example essay topic

There is a reason Gu are includes the two-sided Kadinsky painting in this play and as the play's two main characters, Ouisa Kittredge and Paul, unfold the reason becomes very clear. The painting is unique because of the two completely different styles that are represented by each side of it. One side is geometric, ordered and structured, while the other is a vivid mesh of brightly colored brush strokes, without any apparent structure or design. The characters, Ouisa and Paul, could be represented in this same way. Ouisa flits through a large portion of the play, unstructured, without any real depth at all.

When social issues are discussed her responses are superficial and inappropriately humorous. "I see all these very striking coal miners modeling the fall fashions-" (11), she babbles when they discuss Gorbachev's role in introducing democracy to Russia. Then later to their recently mugged dinner guest, "Tell us stories of movie stars tying up their children and being cruel" (25). She seems only interested in the trivial, accumulating anecdotes for later dinner parties, shallow knowledge to impress her circle of friends.

"There is a boarding school in Switzerland that takes you at age eighteen months" (29), she blurts as Paul and Geoffrey discuss racial issues in South Africa and America, proud of this bit of inconsequential information she can add to the conversation. Ouisa is the random side of the Kadinsky, a mixture of colorful anecdotes and trivia, arranged in no specific order. Later, when she and Flan see friends of theirs her first words are, "Do we have a story to tell you!" (54). She has the ultimate anecdote now and cannot wait to share it.

Paul, on the other hand, is the geometric, structured side of the Kadinsky. He has, because of his need for an identity, built one for himself, one that will gain him entry to the world of "luxurious despair" (20), or what Trent called, "Hand to mouth on a higher plateau" (77). Paul has carefully drawn his character, his shape, a collage of parts from other people's lives, thoughtfully arranged. He even describes his methods as he gives them the "scoop" on Sidney Poitier. "My father, being an actor, has no real identity" (30), Paul says, describing his supposed movie star father, but really describing himself. Paul is an empty shell, albeit a very clever one, and where Kadinsky has used compass and protractor, he has used people and information to create "Paul".

There is a point though when this character, this "Paul", becomes more than a cocktail party yarn to Ouisa. Somehow, during the phone conversation near the end of the play, he breaks through the superficiality of her demeanor to expose the much deeper woman within, drawing out her compassion. He opens up, telling her, "That was the happiest night I ever had" (106) and pleading, "Will you help me?" (109). His structure is crumbling, his carefully formed identity is fading, , and he reaches out to her. Her answer to this question, this plea, is a turning point, a move on her part from selfish to unselfish. There is nothing for her to gain, no advancement up the social ladder, when she replies, "I will help you" (109).

And that is exactly what she tries to do, searching through the criminal and court systems, trying to help him, hearing again and again "We weren't family" and "We didn't know Paul's name" (116). Flan is confused by her search, asking "Why does it mean so much to you?" (116) She is changed. The vivid colors are melting, a form and a purpose is emerging in her life. Flan's lack of compassion enrages her. "He did more for us in a few hours than our children ever did" (117), she points out, adding, "I will not turn him into an anecdote" (117). She goes on to voice her realization, "There is color in my life, but I'm not aware of any structure" (118), and going deeper still, "I am a collage of unaccounted-for brush strokes" (118).

It all comes together then, crystallizing as she speaks, and the two sides of the painting fuse into one work of art, "She considers. She smiles. The Kadinsky begins its slow revolve" (120)..