The code of morals and ethics are both guidelines written and unwritten that differ between communities, religions, countries and regions. Although these guidelines may not be actual "laws" they are things both frowned upon and discouraged to do. These morals and ethics differ across the globe and also have different punishments based on where they take place.
In the play, "The Shape of Things", the character that struck me as the most in lacking of these ethics and morals had to be Eve. Her selfishness throughout the story is proven by her actions of manipulation and "acting". It was in her best interest to make Adam into this human she saw as the best in different categories. She played Adam, tricking him into thinking he was her real boyfriend in order to prove her agenda and show her abilities. Eve slowly demanded more and more from Adam, changing his appearance and how he acted and did things day by day.
Why was she the most in lacking morals rather than Adam? Over time Adam became more and more confident with how he did things and eventually got in between his best friends and cheated on Phillip which ruined his friendship with them. Adam betrayed his best friend by cheating on him with his engaged fiance. Not only this but he lied to Eve about it, breaking "bro code", a certain guide of moral and ethic code as well as lying which is a moral in itself.
The outright biggest break in the code of moral and ethics is manipulation for self-pleasure. Eve had one thing in mind when completing this "art" project and that was to prove herself and her abilities. She didn't care how she left Adam after the fact and what place in life he was in. Adam would never have done what he did without Eve pushing him more and more into becoming what he eventually became, a cocky a!@hole.
Adam cheated on Eve with Jenny because of Eve's manipulation?
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Both characters did terrible things but the worst individual action done by either is probably Evelyn for taking advantage of Adam and using his love against him.
ReplyDeletethe differences between them were there but they both were horrible, for eves manipulation and adam actually doing the things she said
ReplyDeleteThe character that struck me the most was Evelyn as well. In my opinion her lack of morals does not have an explanation nor forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteThe TV manipulates us all the time. Peers manipulate us all the time ("peer pressure"). I shiny object can distract us. Are those things evil? Isn't Eve just a shiny object to Adam? In exchange for pleasure, he does whatever she says. He doesn't bother to get to know her--if he'd actually asked real questions and asked to meet her parents, etc., the game would have been up.
ReplyDeleteThe irony in all of this is Eve didn't try to get Adam to do drugs or rob a bank or quit school. She altered him to fit society's idea of beauty. The "damage" she did wasn't damage at all, unless you count the hurt feelings. But all relationships involve hurt feelings at some point.
But it is troubling that Eve could be so detached from hurting Adam so badly because she wanted to make great art and was uncompromising in trying to make it (not interested in the "Ethic of Caring"). But I don't see this as the same as her doing everything out of self interest. She may not have gotten a good grade, she can't sell Adam like a painting, and could be sued. She took enormous risk, and I don't know what she personally gained. She held fast to her belief about "true art" and didn't compromise. That's not so much of a gain as a character trait (usually seen as a positive one!)
Any way, I hope we can agree Labute's play is great art--it is uncomfortable, makes us think, and brings to light something that beneath the surface. I think the strong female character is an added bonus. I suspect if Eve was a guy and Adam was a girl, we'd take less issue with the manipulation that went on.