POETRY: Splendour in the Grass

 What though the radiance
 which was once so bright
 Be now for ever taken from my sight,
 Though nothing can bring back the hour
 Of splendour in the grass,
 of glory in the flower,
 We will grieve not, rather find
 Strength in what remains behind;
 In the primal sympathy
 Which having been must ever be;
 In the soothing thoughts that spring
 Out of human suffering;
 In the faith that looks through death,
 In years that bring the philosophic mind.

(Author: William Wordsworth)

William Wordsworth expressed: "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." Passion (overall story concern-innermost desires) denied (main vs. impact inhibitor) is the very essence of Splendor in the Grass.The negative feel emanates from focus on avoiding the overall story problem of following your conscience, instead of pursuing the solution-falling to the temptation that will set you free. Director Elia Kazan and writer William Inge present a variation on the Romeo and Juliet theme with an end almost more tragic than that of the classic star-crossed lovers.

Deanie (main character) and Bud (impact character) are the swoon couple in their 1920's Kansas hometown. Sweethearts who dream of living happily ever after (main vs. impact concern-future), their economic and social status (main vs. impact domain-situation) are markedly different. Bud's domineering father pays lip service to his son's wish to marry Deanie and humbly ranch (ic symptom-help)-but is ruthless in his determination (story driver-decision) to avert it from ever happening (ic response-hinder). The town's oil industrialist, Mr. Stamper deftly reminds Bud of his obligation (ic critical flaw) to the family business at every turn.

Deanie is a good girl who wants nothing more than to become (mc concern) Mrs. Bud Stamper. Her mother is enthralled with this prospect as well-but makes certain there is no consummation before a church wedding (mc problem-conscience). Deanie is willing (tendency) to surrender to heedless passion (mc solution-temptation), yet Bud won't allow her to trip off of her pedestal (ic thematic issue-morality). That doesn't stop the local athletics hero from giving into his own urges with the high school hussy (ic thematic counterpoint-self-interest)-who looks remarkably like his "headstrong flapper" boy-crazy sister.

Honor thy father and mother. Deanie and Bud obey this commandment and suffer the consequence. They have no future together. Bud reluctantly goes off to Yale and Deanie goes off of her head (mc domain-manipulation).

After a wrenching and slow recovery, Deanie returns from the psychiatric ward prepared to "forget the ideals (mc signpost 4-conceiving) of youth" (mc resolve-change). In voice over, she recites Wordsworth's poetry:

"...The radiance which was once so bright
Is now forever taken from my sight.
Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass
Of glory in the flower
We will grieve not
Rather find strength in what remains behind (judgment-good)."

In the final bittersweet scene, Bud and Deanie bow to the reality of the doomed relationship (outcome-failure)-but there is no desertion of life on prosaic earth, they instead settle for pale imitations of one another (limit-optionlock)-"love's desperate alternatives."

Storyform for "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS"

CHARACTER DYNAMICS:

MC RESOLVE: Change
MC GROWTH: Stop
MC APPROACH: Be-er
MC PROBLEM SOLVING STYLE: Intuitive
OC RESOLVE: Steadfast

 PLOT DYNAMICS:

DRIVER: Decision
LIMIT: Optionlock
OUTCOME: Failure
JUDGMENT: Good

MAIN VS. IMPACT STORY (The Hopeless Romance)

THROUGHLINE: Situation
CONCERN: The Future
ISSUE: Preconception vs. Openness
PROBLEM: Conscience
SOLUTION: Temptation
SYMPTOM: Logic
RESPONSE: Feeling
CATALYST: Openness
INHIBITOR: Denial
BENCHMARK: How Things are Changing
SIGNPOST 1: The Past
SIGNPOST 2: How Things are Changing
SIGNPOST 3: The Future
SIGNPOST 4: The Present

IMPACT CHARACTER (Bud)

THROUGHLINE: Endeavor
CONCERN: Obtaining
ISSUE: Morality vs. Self Interest
PROBLEM: Support
SOLUTION: Oppose
SYMPTOM: Help
RESPONSE: Hinder
UNIQUE ABILITY: Approach
CRITICAL FLAW: Obligation
BENCHMARK: Doing
SIGNPOST 1: Understanding
SIGNPOST 2: Doing
SIGNPOST 3: Obtaining
SIGNPOST 4: Gathering Information

MAIN CHARACTER (Deanie)

THROUGHLINE: Manipulation
CONCERN: Changing One's Nature
ISSUE: Responsibility vs. Commitment
PROBLEM: Conscience
SOLUTION: Temptation
SYMPTOM: Control
RESPONSE: Uncontrolled
UNIQUE ABILITY: Rationalization
CRITICAL FLAW: Attitude
BENCHMARK: Playing a Role
SIGNPOST 1: Developing a Plan
SIGNPOST 2: Playing a Role
SIGNPOST 3: Changing One's Nature
SIGNPOST 4: Conceiving an Idea

OVERALL STORY (Fighting Social/Parental Mores)

THROUGHLINE: Fixed Attitude
CONCERN: Innermost Desires
ISSUE: Denial vs. Closure
PROBLEM: Conscience
SOLUTION: Temptation
SYMPTOM: Help
RESPONSE: Hinder
CATALYST: Closure
INHIBITOR: Preconception
BENCHMARK: Impulsive Responses
SIGNPOST 1: Memories
SIGNPOST 2: Innermost Desires
SIGNPOST 3: Contemplation
SIGNPOST 4: Impulsive Responses

 ADDITIONAL STORY APPRECIATIONS:

GOAL: Innermost Desires
CONSEQUENCE: The Future
COST: Obtaining
DIVIDEND: Changing One's Nature

REQUIREMENT: Impulsive Responses
PREREQUISITE: How Things are Changing
PRECONDITION: Doing
FOREWARNINGS: Playing a Role