The play Overtones was a bit striking to me as I read it. First performed in 1915, it is still relevant
and true to how women are expected to behave in our society. Overtones raised a few questions to me.
Why are some women including myself afraid to speak about their shortcomings
and be vulnerable? Why do some women put on a facade as if their life is
perfect but they really hate their life and are unhappy? The biggest question
that the play raised in my mind was why do we aspire to acquire what someone
else has instead of living our own lives and being happy for what we do have?
Through out
the play there is a constant fight between the women and their “primitive
self”, Hetty and Maggie. The reason for this constant fight is in order to keep
each other from knowing what is truly going on in their lives. It led me to
believe that they were slightly ashamed to admit that they were unhappy. The play basically shows that as a “cultured
woman” one is not supposed to open up about their life issues, but portray
herself as perfect. For example, Hetty says, “You’re bloodless. Nothing but
sham—sham – while I—“. Then Harriet replies, “Be quiet! I can’t let her see
that I have been fighting my inner self. Unfortunately, I myself can attest to
the fact of placing a fake smile on my face in front of others in order to mask
my true feelings. As women we are expected to hide a lot of our true feelings.
I just believe it’s a result of the society in which we live. Its just a common
expectation.
The biggest thing that stood out to
me about the play was the amount of underlying jealousy that was present. Hetty
longed for John and Maggie craved money. Instead of just being happy about what
they had they lusted for each other’s lives. Hetty wishing she married John;
Maggie trying to hustle money. Often times I see this others wishing they had
what others have and thinking their life would be that much better if only they
had acquired such things. Overall the play was very insightful to me and made
me reflect on myself, and situations in society. I really love that this was
the first play we read.
