Robert Lowell Discussion

We discussed “The Zoo Story” by Robert Lowell in class yesterday. It turns out that I was close to the target by thinking the theme was human isolation and separation of humanity.

The great issues going on in the play psychological and psychological violence.

Both characters have gone though some sort of psychological violence. When meeting Peter at the park, Jerry’s motive is to communicate with the rest of the world, and he does this through his own death. In order to get to this fate, he accosts Peter with all sorts of stories, which eventually leads to physically pushing him off the park bench, and his own intentional death.

The park bench is a major symbol in the play. For Peter, it is his the only satisfaction that he is getting in his daily life. Jerry sees this, and tries to make a point by showing that he deserves a satisfying life as much as Peter does. By taking over the bench, he makes an assertion that he is as worthy as Peter.

The title can also be seen as a sort of symbol. The apartment building that Jerry lives in can be seen as a sort of zoo, with the tenants living in their individual cages, being isolated from each other. This makes a statement about society today, which is full of individuals living in their own “cages”. Although people come in contact with many people in their day to day lives, they do not engage in meaningful relationships with most of them.

I think that this is a great play, that touches on subject matter that is true for today’s society, and yet not talked a great deal about. I would recommend this play as a great read.