The Physicists was
paradoxical, just as the author promised it to be in his “21 Points” at the back
of the book. The paradox of the whole play is the fact that the three patients
are all mad, yet they are all sane. Of course I’m inclined to believe they are
mostly mad, but it is unfair to not mention the few moments they are sane. The
moments are when Mobius purposely acts like a lunatic to make the separation
easier on his family. Another example is when Eisler and Kilton are willing to
lay down their weapons and calmly discuss things. Mad men don’t usually act like that. I think
the reason they were able to have their brief moments of sanity is because
their whole lives as scientists have been devoted to logic and reason. When it
has been so ingrained into you, it is hard to ever be anything but logical.
Which is where the quote “what was once thought can never be unthought” first
comes into play. Another way this quote is at work is in the family’s perception
of Mobius. Let’s be real for a moment. Even if he were to get released from the
mental hospital, his family will probably still think he is mad. Madness makes it hard to build back your
reputation. We’ve all seen the movies where someone is released from a mental hospital
and they seem completely fine. But then they go on a killing spree the next
day. True or not, the stereotype is still present.
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| Did anyone else feel this way about the ending? |
The only ending that would have gratified me would have been the doctor being in the sanitorium with the other three mad scientists. In might have felt some satisfaction if she were caught. I can only imagine all the crimes she planned and committed to get to her position in the play.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned some very interesting way of looking at the quote, "what was once thought can never be unthought" (at least to me). At first glance, I thought the quote simple meant knowledge that has been uncovered can never be buried and hidden again. Good work
ReplyDeleteI thought the ending was a bit crazy. However, I was satisfied with how it ended. I'm just glad the ending didn't leave us hanging like the Beaver Coat.
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