Conduct of Life

I noticed that there are several short scenes with little fights or scuffles.  They seem rather trivial in comparison to the very dark and heavy scenes that take place down in the basement with Orlando and Nena.  The first time I read through the script, I was puzzled by those scenes.  One of the scenes is the one with Olimpia and Leticia with Olimpia pretending to read.  Another one is the scene directly after that one.  It is the scene with Leticia and Orlando arguing about the strap for the suitcase.  Why does Fornes put so much into these short scenes?  Initially, I had trouble answering that question.  The more I considered it, though, it began to make more sense.

First of all, these simple quarrels are in contrast with the things going on downstairs in the basement.  I believe that’s on purpose.  I think that it shows that these little ridiculous arguments are continuing despite the horrible things that are happening.  Normal life continues upstairs.  It gives the illusion that life is somewhat normal on the surface, but when somebody digs deeper, there is actually much more going on below that surface.

Also, not only does it contrast the terrible things happening between Orlando and Nena, but it also supports them.  It fits in with the theme of the struggles that are common through the entire show.  There is conflict between Orlando and Nena, between Orlando and Leticia, between Leticia and Olimpia, and between Orlando and himself.  It is a common occurrence in the world of this play.  Having these shorter, lighter scenes breaks the tension a bit without leaving the theme of conflict that the other scenes have created.   It contrasts it, which draws more attention to it, as well as supporting it and upholding the world of Conduct of Life.