Old Saybrook, Play Analysis, Essay Example

Woody Allen’s play “Old Saybrook” communicates the themes of affluence and sophistication, often combined with humor, via the play’s characters. The play’s three couples, Norman and Sheila, David and Jenny, and Hal and Sandy, constantly refer to their supposed high social status and often use humor as a way to convey this message. Even if it’s not a fitting time to mention their superiority, Allen’s characters will make a joke in an effort to squeeze in a reference to their wealth and status.

Allen scatters his theme of affluence throughout the play by continually mentioning money-making professions. When David says that eventually everyone decays, his wife, Jenny, says that, “That’s easy for him to say, he’s a plastic surgeon and that message is on his business card” (Allen 1327). When speaking to Sandy and Hal Maxwell, Sheila tells them that “Jenny has a lingerie shop in Manhattan, and her husband streamlines rear ends and I don’t mean automotive work. He’s a plastic surgeon” (Allen 1330). This is the second time during the play, at the very beginning, that someone talks about David being a plastic surgeon, in a joke-y tone. Since being a plastic surgeon is a position in the medical field that requires a lot of training and earns a lot of money, it seems that Woody Allen’s characters continue to mention David’s profession to sort of brag about it. Also, plastic surgeons are notorious for working on rich women, who have rich husbands to pay for their plastic surgery.

The play’s theme of prioritizing prosperity is evident when David realizes his wife, Jenny, is cheating on him. When Sheila is trying to jog David’s memory so he will finally recognize his own wife in the photo with Norman, Sheila asks David if he remembers when he first met Jenny. David responds that he and Jenny “both loved Tolstoy and French films and sailing” (Allen 1334), all three of which are sophisticated references. Educated people tend to at least know who Tolstoy is and can appreciate foreign films, and a lot of affluent families sail. This quote is also a nod to both David and Jenny speaking a second language, French, referencing their education and “superior” interests. The idea of affluence being more important than loyalty and basic human needs is suggested when Hal says to David, after David realizes his wife has been cheating on him, “What is the problem here? If she can discuss Tolstoy and foreign films…you’ve hit the jackpot” (Allen 1335).

The idea that infidelity is run-of-the-mill is shown when the couples are questioning Max on why he wrote in cheating to his play. After it’s discovered that the play’s characters are figments of Max’s imagination, and everyone’s questioning whey Norman and Jenny cheated on their significant others, Hal says, “Why does any husband get bored with his wife? Because with time they get too familiar. The excitement wanes – they’re always together around the house – they see each other undressed – there’s no more mystery – now even his secretary is sexier to him – or the next door neighbor” (Allen 1338). The idea of men cheating on their wives, particularly with their secretaries, is a somewhat old fashioned idea (even though of course it still happens today). The picture that Max paints is that of a successful business man in New York City, who comes home to his beautiful wife after sleeping with his beautiful girlfriend on the side – A course of action that was often followed by people with a lot of money and power. A little later in the play, Sandy solidifies this when she (funnily) says, “But what does a person do when the romance fades – when the passion drains away and you still love and respect your spouse – you cheat on him” (Allen 1340).

There are several quick references to affluence and sophisticated taste scattered throughout the play. David’s constant commentary on Tiger Woods (especially when he’d rather watch golf than spend time with his family) showcases his main priority. Each time he’s “disturbed” by his wife or in-laws, he complains that he’s missing Tiger Woods playing golf and lets everyone know that the only thing he wants are red pistachio nuts. Later in the play, Max states that that his father was a “shoe fetishist who could only get aroused if Prada was having a sale” (Allen 1339). This line is a comical statement that refers to the theme of wealth.

An interesting part of the play that combines humor with the characters’ need for superiority comes when David is commenting on Sandy’s indiscretions in her and Hal’s marriage. David says that their unfortunate situation lacks appeal because both Sandy and Hal have “pathetic” lives (Allen 1341). According to David, “I’ll tell you why their situation is farce – because they’re pathetic. They lack tragic stature. What is he, an accountant? And she’s a housewife” (Allen 1341). Hal responds by saying that “you don’t have to be a prince to suffer” (Allen 1341).

Allen has his characters talk often about status symbols, such as high-earning jobs and pricey footwear. He also makes sure that his characters are put down for not having “acceptable” jobs and they are expected to accept infidelity in exchange for a cultures spouse. David projects his need to be affluent on both Hal and Sandy by suggesting that their pain is lessened since their lot in life isn’t as “high” as his own. In Norman and Sheila’s world, even bad behavior like cheating can be tolerated when sophisticated interests, like French cinema and Russian authors, are in the picture. Allen paints his characters as slightly disconnected from the truth, relying on wealth and supposed sophistication to protect them from reality.