This semester I am taking a play-writing course as part of my electives for my Masters of Divinity. I would like to explore plays as a form of “message” and/or “sermon” for worship or discussion settings in the church. I think narrative in play form is a perfect way to address issues we do not like to talk about in church.
Our first assignment was to explore conflict in a short dialogue inspired from a painting, photograph, or image that “sparks and idea for a story.”
I chose the image Christina’s World and image which my dad purchased a print of in NYC before he married mom and it still hangs in our computer room. My favorite thing about this painting is that it tells a different story for each person who looks at it. Here is mine…
Protagonist: Christina
Protagonist Goal: To understand her disability
Protagonist Problem: Over the past few years, Christina’s legs have become weaker and weaker due to a neuromuscular condition. She can no longer walk and requires a lot of care for her family. Christina questions God’s justice and her life’s worth
Antagonist: Alexander, Christina’s younger brother
Antagonist Goal: Take care of himself
Antagonist Problem: Has been greatly ignored due to Christina’s condition
Taking this character deeper would involve explaining the ways he has felt neglected and invisible to his family.
Antagonist: Momma
Antagonist Goal: Solve her daughter’s disability
Antagonist Problem: Losing faith in a God who does not answer her prayers
With Momma as the antagonist I would like to explore how “supportive” roles can sometimes be the most conflictual.
Scene 1: (Inside the house CHRISTINA, ALEXANDER, and
MOMMA are seated at a large wooden table eating breakfast. The windows are open and you can see the curtains blowing in the wind.)
MOMMA
Bless the Lord that I can feel a cool breeze coming in over the prairie this morning. It’s about time for fall to arrive. This summer was hotter than Hell’s blazes.
CHRISTINA
(agreeing and excited)
Momma this would be the perfect day for Alexander and I to go into town.
ALEXANDER
(crinkles his nose)
I went into town yesterday and when I was down at the store, Andrew and I agreed to meet at creek to go fishing this afternoon.
MOMMA
Today is such a busy day. With all the washing and cleaning needing to be finished before your father gets home from the fields.
(pause after she sees disappointment in Christina’s eyes)
but I do need some sugar for a pie I planned to make for Sunday supper.
ALEXANDER
(sarcastically and under his breath)
Great, I won’t go fishing with Andrew and it will take extra hours with my cripple sister tagging along.
MOMMA
(gives Alexander a glare)
If you ever want to leave this house again you will apologize to your sister and re-order your priorities.
ALEXANDER:
(pushing back from the table)
Oh, I forgot, it doesn’t matter who I am or what I want to do. We are only concerned with Christina. I’m sorry for forgetting my place. I am going to feed the stock before the sun rises any higher.
CHRISTINA
(Calling after him as he leaves)
It was only a suggestion, It’s not a big deal, I mean, I’m fine at the house.
Scene 2: (CHRISTINA sits on the floor, arms in a tub of bubbles washing cloths. MOMMA is wringing and hanging sheets on the line.)
MOMMA
I don’t know what I’m going to do with that boy.
CHRISTINA
(long pause)
I wish my legs would get better instead of worse, then he wouldn’t hate me so.
MOMMA
Nobody hates you! We all want your legs to get better. He’s trying to find his independence and hurting those he loves the most in the process.
CHRISTINA
Do you actually believe my legs will get better?
MOMMA
I want to believe. But I just don’t know sweet pea, I just don’t know. I do know there’s nothing that I pray for more.
CHRISTINA
What I know is that no one understands what it’s like be useless. Folks pity me or worse see me the way Alexander sees me, like an unmovable, worthless burden.
(Momma finishes clipping a piece of laundry and kneels before her daughter)
MOMMA
I knew the first time I saw you that you were born to stand out. You have always had a heart that loves all things and an inner strength that is surer than the rising of the sun. God gave these traits and your legs to you as gifts. He will only make them stronger.
CHRISTINA
I don’t feel strong! And even though you try, you can’t be strong for both of us.
MOMMA
Don’t talk like that! Look at your arms! I know I couldn’t get this wash done without you. We only have a few pieces left.
(Without saying a word CHRISTINA dries her hands and pulls herself to the porch, up on the rocking chair and stares across the prairie as her mother finishes the laundry.)
Scene 3: (CHRISTINA refuses to come in for the mid-day-meal and after ALEXANDER finishes his afternoon work, he is forced to take CHRISTINA into town. CHRISTINA no longer wants to go, but her mother begs her to leave the porch. ALEXANDER lifts his sister into the horse drawn buggy to go to the store. A little over ten minutes passes before either says a word.)
CHRISTINIA
I wish I were a bird; I would be forced fly or die.
(CHRISTINA flings herself down from the buggy and falls to the ground with a thud. She slowly catches her breath and begins to drag herself towards the house. ALEXANDER stops the buggy and watches her struggle up the hill.)
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