The 1920's have always been a point of interest for me, but now more so than ever. Seeing the two psyches juxtaposed against each other in this play, even prominently exhibited by their different dress choices and conversation topics is a joy, especially when it becomes the butt of the joke.
Elyot and Amanda are flamboyant, liberal, free, careless and "flippant" while their new spouses belong to the old, rich class- prim and proper, obsessed with codes of honor and gender roles inherited by ages of the past. When they come together, everything explodes- literally- as they tear the stage apart.
We see Amanda's husband in beige suit, ready to engage in a duel of honor trying so hard to understand Elyot's superficiality and slickness. Then there's Elyot's wife, a sweet young lady who tries to pursue this man of whom she doesn't understand.
What ensues is a hilarious mix of comedy and romance.
Another theme present is on the definition of "love". What is love? Something that torments its victims? Elyot and Amanda's relationship is explosive and stormy- their love is thunderous- beautiful yet lethal. Their new spouses, who eventually fall in love with each other as well, become such monsters as well in the end. I suppose this is in response to the dawn of a new era, one of liberation whereby girls are free to love and boys to woo. They no longer had to have the relationships that their parents have- solemn, serious, proper and more like an obligation than something as exciting as romance. They could now have passionate, wild love! They could be themselves and care not for codes of conduct!
Yet such freedom comes with its own price- you've got to deal with each other, confront the ugliest monster in you and in the partner you love in order to enjoy such ecstatic love. That's what the couple had to discover.
I suppose my obsession with the jazz age has to do with the rapid changes that surround the times, bringing in confusing mix of ideals and culture as everybody tries to learn about themselves.
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