Examples Of Power Shift In Oleanna

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“Oleanna” Power Shift
During the course of this play we see a significant power shift between the two main characters, John and Carol. John is trying to help his student Carol understand, but he goes a bit too far when he tries to empathize with her (Ward-Smythe, Kate). She mistakes it for something more, and goes on to accuse him of sexual harassment. When we are introduced to the characters, John is undoubtedly in control. He is the professor, while Carol is his student. However, as the play progresses we see Carol gaining more confidence paired with power when she accuses John. Many instances of miscommunication contribute to the huge power shift during the play, like when John wants to restart the course or when he makes a sexual …show more content…

His student Carol comes into his office, because she doesn’t understand the class and is failing. It is also important to note that she stutters a lot during this visit, and has a hard time expressing herself. She has come to John to seek help, but when she fails to grasp what he is talking about, John decides to restart the course. She responds by saying that the class is only half over, and that they cannot start again. John replies: “I say we can. (Pause) I say we can” (Oleanna, Act 1, pp. 26). Even though this might not seem like a very significant example of power, it shows that he can do whatever he pleases in his course. He tells her: “We’ll start the whole course over. Your grade is an “A” (Oleanna, Act 1, pp. …show more content…

John is no longer able to get his tenure or his new house, and his career is basically over. The final words of the play are from Carol, when she says “Yes. That’s right” when John beats her (Oleanna, pp. 80). She now has absolute control, he will lose his job, tenure, and new home unless he bans his book. This is shown by how John goes crazy and began to physically assault Carol (Oleanna, pp. 79), she got what she wanted. She pushed John to his breaking point, and he lashes out in an uncharacteristic way (Ward-Smythe, Kate). He knew there was nothing he could do but physically hurt her, since he had no real power

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