Maple And Vine Sparknotes

In the 21st century, Society has put a label on what is considered normal, and what is considered shameful. If you compare our current time period to the 1950’s you’ll see major differences, the biggest being the culture. Have you ever wondered how the year 1955 was like? Or how people survived without technology? UW School of Drama’s production of Maple and Vine Directed by Sean Ryan, shows the effects that society in our time period has put on the main character, Catha portrayed by Tatiana Pavela. The 21st century has created expectations from men, and women that everyone strives to achieve, but it leaves a detrimental affect on people’s sanity.

Maple & Vine depicts the story of Catha, a young woman who is suffering from depression, because

of the miscarriage she experienced six months earlier. In order to avoid dealing with the reality of her unborn child’s death, she pushes her husband and co-workers away from the small bubble she has created for herself. When displaying Catha’s grieving, the costume designer, Pamela Dirnberger, dresses Pavela in sweat pants and a sweater with a pair of flats. This shows how Catha does not put an effort into her appearance, because she does not have the motivation to look presentable for anyone. The audience makes the connection that Catha has been avoiding doing anything productive, and has chosen to stay in bed and use her laptop to watch episodes of ‘Anne of Green Gables’ instead.
When exemplifying Catha’s anger with Omar, Catha’s co-worker, Payela moves her face closer, until she is about an inch close to his, and then raises the volume of her voice and uses hand movements. The most common hand movement she used was when she had her hands to her sides, and flattened her palms on her desk when ranting about her life, she says “If it means you don’t have to wonder which of us is crazy. Me, for leaving? Or you, for working a 60-hour week just so you can pay for an apartment the size of a matchbox, while you spend the rest of what you make buying drinks to numb yourself while you complain to your husband…” (Maple and Vine, I.XII). Instead of avoiding the question, Catha has a catharsis moment and reveals how she has been feeling since her miscarriage occurred. Payela also shows how Catha’s attempting to fit in with the community, by seeking approval from Ellen and Dean. In order to convey to the audience Catha’s urgency of belonging in the society of dynamic obsolescence; Payela fidgets with her dress, and fluffs up the pillows to make her house look presentable.
Catha evolves her communication skills throughout the play, an example is during the beginning of the play, when Catha is speaking on the phone with Marcus’ secretary, a client who tried contacting her for information about a book.

Catha immediately gets annoyed about being asked to hold and says “yes, you put me on hold? Do not do that again.” (Maple & Vine, I.V). Showing how little patience she has with people, during her time in the 21st century. She also has no filter at first, an example is when she is speaking with her co-worker, Omar she says “you know for a homosexual you’re not very funny” (Maple & Vine, I.V). This scene is an example of how blunt, and unconcerned she is when speaking with anyone, because she is only focused on how she feels. In the Society of Dynamic obsolescence, Catha changes how she interacts with people, an example is when Ryu comes home from work in a fowl mood and say’s “Work was shit” (Maple & Vine, II.VIII). Catha calmly tells him to watch his language, but in the past she also used foul language. As Catha starts to become more comfortable in society, she develops leadership qualities and comforts Ellen, when Dean leaves her. As she is comforting Ellen about falling in love with Dean, even though she knew he was gay, she say’s “it’s not stupid” (Maple & Vine, II.XIV). Catha in the 21st century probably would have had a different reaction, because she had no regard for people’s feelings then. Catha has become more patient, and uses some

motherly skills, that she has gained from being pregnant.
Catha’s super Objective is to get a fresh start, because of the effects her miscarriage has had on her.

The evidence to support this is when, Catha discusses with Ryu the possibility of living in the Society of Dynamic Obsolescence, she asks him “how long has it been since we met someone who seemed so...” (Maple & Vine, I.VIII). This angers Ryu, because Catha is drawing the conclusion that Dean is happy in a society/cult that avoids what is happening in the real world. As Catha is attempting to work past the loss of her child, and be there for her husband; she is torn about when and if she will ever accept the fact that, her unborn baby will never get the chance to live. Every time Catha’s husband brings up the suggestion of having another baby, Catha would avoid the subject entirely. Ryu would say “Hillary Rodham Clinton” (Maple & Vine. II.II). This would put Catha back into her defensive and timid state, making her take a step back from the progress she has

made.

The inciting Incident is Catha’s miscarriage. In the scene with Ryu and Catha at the park, Ryu asks Catha, when was the last time she felt like herself and she says, when her and Ryu rented bikes together and rode them through Amsterdam. In order to make the mood lighter, Ryu jokes that food and bikes will make Catha feel better, so she blows up at him by saying “great, Ryu. Then we’re all set, we’ll just get some…bikes/and and” (Maple & Vine, I.VII). As she continues to communicate some of her emotions to Ryu, she says “maybe I don’t want to love something for all that time again just to have it, to have it/ stolen away” (Maple & Vine, II.VII). This scene makes it obvious to the audience, that Catha had a miscarriage that still affects her, and has a hold of her life. A major climax that occurs, is when Catha speaks with Ryu about making chicken stock. She has a turning point when she says, “It was amazing, Ryu. It took seven hours. I had to chop, I had to dice, I boiled the water. I skimmed, I strained. Things changed shape. Chemistry. When it was done-there was something there that wasn’t there before” (Maple & Vine, II.III). Catha’s view of her life begins to change as she starts takes a step to heal from her past, and then find comfort in a new hobby. I could feel her personality begin to change as she begins to communicate better with her husband, instead of avoiding conversation that had too much to do about her wellbeing. As the play progresses, Catha gets the news that she is pregnant. This marks the main climax, and it exhibits the progress she has made since having a miscarriage. Catha tells Ryu “I’m Pregnant.” (Maple and Vine, II.VIII). Being able to react like a regular housewife is a big step for her, and it is the new start that she was hoping for by coming to the SDO.
Society has put expectations on men and women, that creates detrimental effects on people’s mental state. Having a fresh start, where no one knows you, can help give someone a clear piece of mind. It can also change the way someone sees the world by showing how a society with a small set of expectations can take the pressure off of being someone that other’s expect you to be. In order to have happiness in society, people are given limited options, either they can follow everyone else and chase the ‘american dream’, or they can ignore what society says they should want and create their own expectations of themselves.