Themes in Spring Awakening
Uploaded by tgoldner on Apr 26, 2008
Another important topic in this play and especially this scene is sex education. Right from the start we see there is a clear need for sexual education. Other than Melchior, none of the teenagers have an understanding of what they are experiencing. However, when they look to the adults to give them answers they are too embarrassed to give them. Now, (actress playing Wendla), with that in mind, the main goal in this scene is to act confused. This lack of proper sexual education from your mother has left you in the dark, so you need to appear like you don’t understand what’s happening to you. You’re pregnant but you’re not sure why. Remember, storks are your best understanding about where babies come from, and you think that they appear only, “When you really love a man”. This is why when you say the line, “But that’s not possible, Mother. I’m not married…!”, you really need to mean it. Your not just trying to cover up what you did, but rather you haven’t been told that what you did is how babies are made. As the Scene progresses and as you become more educated, it’s important that your lack of understanding turns from confusion, to regret and finally, to irritation. Regret at the fact that your mother had the chance to instruct you about sex but was too embarrassed to do so. This feeling of regret needs to come through when you say the line, “Oh Mother, why didn’t you tell me everything!” Then finally, the last thing you say in this scene has to show irritation, “Oh!”, (empathize that) “I heard it very clearly. – Who’s out there?” Your mother still is not being forthcoming, even about a simple thing like who is at the door. For you, (actress playing Mrs. Bergmann), you should start off by blaming Wendla for getting pregnant, but in the back of your mind you should feel guilty. You know that you made the mistake by not educating her when she clearly was ready for it. You are paying the price for not being cooperative with your daughter’s requests about sex.
Education is another theme Wedekind presents to us, with emphasis on sexually education. As I stated above there is a clear need for sexual education. Other than Melchior (who seems to be a 30 year old man), none of the teenagers have an...