Political Correctness in Oleanna free essay sample

Political correctness features prominently within the play. Political correctness was seen as a highly controversial issue in the late 1980s to the early 1990s and was argued within a 1992 essay collection, debating political correctness, that it was â€Å"The most important discussion in American education†. This was perhaps due to the numerous amounts of opinions on whether or not political correctness was right. Political correctness repressed people’s abilities to freedom of speech and therefore there were many differing opinions on how much political correctness would restrict whatever they wanted to say. As this issue is predominant in Oleanna, it reflects just how dominating political correctness was in both society and education at the time. It is evident that John disregards political correctness and mocks Carol for trying to enforce it upon him. It is apparent the main purpose of political correctness, was to break the traditions of the way that many people had always spoken, and change what words and phrases were viewed as acceptable. We will write a custom essay sample on Political Correctness in Oleanna or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This however, was met with resistance from the white male elitists, who were very stubborn and insisted on the traditional way of speaking. This links to how John behaves throughout the play, and within the extract he says, â€Å"This is the process, and a good process. Under which the school has functioned for quite a long time†. It is evident that John recognises the accusation that has been made against him, about his lack of political correctness. However, he dismisses it, due to the tradition that he has been following, over the ‘correct’ way of speaking. This could link to a sexual harassment case in 1991, where a law professor called Anita Hill accused the Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. It is evident here that the case turned out in favour of the elitist, regardless of who was actually right, similar to John in Oleanna. However, this does contrast to Mamet’s view as he said about John and Carol that he thinks â€Å"they’re both absolutely wrong, and they’re both absolutely right†. The idea of elitists always getting their own way links to later on in the play, when John uses the expletives, â€Å"bitch† and â€Å"cunt†. It is suggested that John is perhaps mocking Carol by using the expletives, as he is being politically incorrect. While Carol tries to enforce political correctness, John dismisses it due to the hubris that he holds, which in Greek Mythology, excessive arrogance was called hubris. In the extract, it appears that John recognises the mistakes that he has made. However, he makes no effort to change his ways, possibly due to the lack of control that he has over himself and his lack of ability to change his ways, â€Å"I don’t mean to subject you to my weak sensibilities† It doesn’t seem to be an apology from John, and therefore just a passing statement. This again reinforces his lack of willing, to change. This links back to Act one, when John’s use of declaratives and pronouns portrays his confidence and control over Carol, â€Å"Let’s take the mysticism out of it, shall we? Carol? Don’t you think? †. This lack of conforming to political correctness links to a speech that president George Bush gave in 1991, where he spoke out against â€Å"a movement which would declare certain topics ‘off limits’. † In the extract, John also comments, â€Å"I find that I am sexist. That I am elitist†. His recognition of being politically incorrect could also create a question about his motives for admitting his faults. It is apparent that John has to be more cautious due to Carol’s accusations of him, in order to save his house and his job. John does consider the possibility of not getting his house earlier on in Act 1, â€Å"the house might not go through†. This links back to the origin of the name ‘Oleanna’, which came from an 1853 Norwegian song about a community in New Norway who were betrayed and had their land taken away.