Consciousness, Literature and the Arts

 

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Volume 12 Number 1, April 2011

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THE SHUNNING

by Patrick Friesen at Manitoba Theatre Centre, 2011

 

I disobeyed, is the first line of the play

that brings us into the tailspin of a Mennonite

ostracized by his community for saying no

to a bit of doctrine

 

in the afternoon I’d been talking

with Bruce Sarbit about giving up

smoking and drinking

having to say no

 

so much of what you are

is a function of saying no

to your community

until of course they say no more

 

and in class talking about the mystery

plays like the Second Shepherds’ Play

and the morality plays nailing their audiences

to paths of repentance

 

as Peter gets more isolated

the wall representing the church

encroaches evermore, pushing

everything to the edge

 

the importance of being

part of a world, to participate

and yet not merging, knowing you

as you, as a difference, to make a difference

 

 

Peter’s brother has a defiant sense of humour

but stays in the fold. Peter’s wife longs to have him back

but neither they nor Peter can find

a balance between no and yes

 

for us all whatever is chosen

the costs are dear

 

 

- P.K. Brask