Analysis Of Naked Lunch By Michael Hollinger

“Naked Lunch” is a play that was written by Michael Hollinger that tells the story of Vernon and Lucy, whom had broken up but are now eating dinner at Vernon’s home in an attempt to rekindle what their relationship use to be. The play depicts Lucy telling Vernon that she has now became a vegetarian after they broke up and how Vernon reacts to this news just after preparing a steak dinner for the two of them. Vernon’s reaction to hearing Lucy’s lifestyle change is one of aggression and hostility. The final line said by Vernon, “See, nothing to be afraid of”, is significant to the play because it mirrors the tone and general attitude of Vernon towards Lucy’s new lifestyle choice. The play opens up with both Vernon and Lucy eating dinner in

There is a long pause and Vernon’s replies to her and says, “Then eat it”. (1407). This is a big moment in the play because it looks like Vernon has had enough of her talking and wants her to eat her steak. It is clear now that Vernon only wants her to eat the steak so that he can assert his dominance over her. Vernon then gets her fork and jams it into her steak and cut off a piece with his knife. Vernon then puts the steak towards her mouth and tells her to “eat the meat” (1407). Lucy refuses and Vernon tells her again and finally she begins to talk again and he yells “I SAID EAT THE MEAT!” (1407). The play notes tell the reader that “They are locked in a struggle, he menacing, she terrified” (1407). This is where the final line “See, nothing to be afraid of” really becomes significant to the entire play. Lucy is now officially scared of Vernon and eats the meat. Vernon has now gotten Lucy to do what he wanted through fear and intimidation. It is made obvious now to the audience that the entire play is showing how these two people’s relationship was being lived through power gained through abuse and