George Ryga is now viewed by many theatre and literary critics as one of the most prominent Canadian dramaturges. Among his most famous works, we can mark out such plays as “Sunrise on Sarah”, “Portrait of Angelica”, “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe” and many others. The authors style can be characterized as post-modernistic, because George Ryga often employed many literary allusions, non-linear plot and complex symbols, which have several layers of meaning.
His play “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe” is the story of an Indian woman, who is struggling her way in a big city. First, it should be pointed out that Ryga reverses chronological order of events; the plot is mostly based on reminiscences and flashbacks, which is also a typical feature of post-modernistic theatre. The main character is forced to stand before the court; she is accused of prostitution and vagrancy.
Probably, the dramaturge chooses to develop the plot in this way because he wants to show that due to some reasons, the protagonist stands on a low step of social ladder, or probably, she is not allowed to rise. In this case, we may as well speak about a literary allusion that Ryga makes, namely to the novel “The Trial” by Franz Kafka. It should be taken into consideration that the main character does not even understand why she is brought to the court. To a certain degree, this scene eloquently describes the bureaucracy of the law machinery, which is able to turn every person into a criminal or an outcast. Rita does not understand Canadian legal system but no one intends to help her.
The play is also full of symbols, which can be interpreted from different standpoints, namely, we should speak about the recurring image of train that may have even opposite meanings. Perhaps, it would be better for us to show how Ryga employs this symbol what associations it produces.
First, it is worth mentioning that the main character goes by train from her reservation to a big city. For her, this journey is a chance to start a new life, full of promises and opportunities, which Rita has never had before. At this point, the symbol of train represents new life or opportunities. Yet, it should be borne in mind that it may have a drastically different interpretation.
Ritas friend perishes under a train, and it immediately gives rise to certain negative associations. This symbol should be discussed within the context of contemporary Canadian society. First, it may be understood as the state, itself, pitiless and sometimes even soulless. Ritas trial clearly represents the functioning of state machine, which attaches primary importance to the letter of law, totally neglecting individuality. To some extent, the death of James Paul represents this triumph of state over personality. In addition to that, Rita is violated on train tracks. It seems that George Ryga does not choose such location accidentally; more likely, he wants to attract readers attention to this symbol. Gyga makes the murders “grab Rita and throw her on train tracks” (Ryga, 50). The author sets a stress on the fact that in the overwhelming majority of cases, the state suppresses personality. In this respect, we may draw parallels between this play and Kafkas novel “The Trial”, in which the conflict between the law and the person is thoroughly analyzed. Through one of the minor characters, Ryga airs his views on law and state: the agent says, “There are laws in this country, nobody escapes the law” (Ryga, 21). In fact, in a harmonious society a person does not have to escape the law, because it is supposed to help people but not act against them. The question arises that why Ryga makes this symbol have almost opposite meanings. By doing that, the playwright eloquently illustrates chaotic and paradoxical nature of modern life. He shows that it is a constant chain of controversies.
Apart from that, we cannot overlook the cultural aspect of this symbol, which is probably the most important one, because the train may also symbolize Western-European civilization that practically crushed down the so-called First Nations or Indians to be more exact. In this light, the death James Paul may symbolize the suppression of native Canadians. Although it is not explicitly stated, George Ryga skillfully indicates that this problem is still very acute in the country. Overall, the train may be interpreted from cultural and social standpoints.
Another issue that we should analyze is the attitude of the magistrate towards Rita. First, it should be taken into account that he is a white man, who cannot fully understand the needs of Indian people. It would be better to discuss the protagonist relationships with the official. His views are based on very common misconception, particularly; he believes that Native American should only assimilate themselves into Western-European culture. It stands to reason, George Ryga does not openly say it, but we can deduce his argument from subtle details.
Additionally, the priest, who is talking to Rita, may experience some compassion or pity for the main character but he is still firmly convinced that these two ethnic groups cannot successful co-exist. In his opinion, Indians should live separately from White people. Rita compares society with “a melting pot” in which ethnic groups may live together. but the priests rejects this idea by saying that it is utterly impossible (Ryga, 57) This man represents the views, typical of the then Canadian society; some people could be concerned with problems of native Canadians but virtually no one wanted to assist them in any way.
It is also possible for us to say that the magistrate assumes somewhat patriarchal or even paternal attitude towards Rita. Certainly, it does not mean that he wants to care about the main character as the father cares about his child. Probably, these paternal characteristics become noticeable if we look at the way he treats the defendant. Particularly, he does not view her as an equal. At the very beginning to her refers to Rita in third person in her presence, he asks “Who is she?” (Ryga, 5), though he may address this question directly to Rita, it produces an impression that she is not an animate creature for the magistrate. He asks Rita, whether doctor had examined her. At first glance, it may even seem that he cares about this woman but then magistrate begins to rebuke her, he says, “Prostitution, Prostitution, Rita, you might be transmitting some disease and not aware of it” (Ryga, 91). His alleged paternity and compassion spring from callosity and even cruelty. The main problem is that deep this man may feel some compassion for her but he does not respect this woman and focuses mostly on the legal aspect of her behavior. Moreover, he does not even intend to explain why Rita needs an attorney. In his opinion, she is not mature enough to understand why she has been arrested. Even if we may call his attitude paternal, it is necessary to mention this paternity is dictatorial. This man makes Rita feel as if she were just a child who has done some mischief. Later his functions perform the teacher, who reproaches Rita for coming to this city. The magistrate and the teacher represent certain elements of modern Canadian society, who are unable to respect the culture of a different ethnic group.
Thus, it is quite possible for us to arrive at the conclusion that in the play “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe”, George Ryga explores the problems of present day Canadian society, particularly reluctance of the white people to admit other racial or ethnic groups into their community. Additionally, the author explores the conflict between the person and the state; he proves that very often law acts against people instead of helping them.
Bibliography
George Ryga. “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe and Other Plays” New Press, 1971.