May 27, 2007

Blackbird: the forum

John Smythe      posted 27 May 2007, 11:30 PM

This is for those who have seen BLACKBIRD and want to share their thoughts and feelings on any aspect. DON’T READ ON IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN YET AND INTEND TO GO!

The conclusion I’ve come to is that Ray was totally culpable in taking advantage of Una’s innocence, vulnerability, inquisitiveness and need for ‘love’ when she was twelve. And now, no matter how hard he tries, he is under a curse he has visited on himself.  His actions will always be suspect. Even if she is unhinged and dangerous now, he brought that on himself.

Her emotional volatility is directly caused by what happened. He robbed her of her formative teenage years and she is paying a bigger price than he is. Also there is a ‘first love’ fixation here that contributes to her inability to form a lasting relationship with anyone else. The question is, what would it take for her to find genuine closure and move on?

Consider the bit in the play where their sexual passions are aroused once more. I say his succumbing to that is a clear indication he’s a long way from rehabilitation.  Even so, I want to believe his relationship with his step-daughter is totally above board.  But has he told his new partner everything? And if he hasn’t, and Una blows the lid off it all outside in the car park, how could he ever regain credibility? 

As I say: he is condemned by a curse he inflicted on himself.