There are many issues faced by an average person in their twenties and thirties in the modern era where authenticity is difficult to achieve. It is possible to suggest that the playwright decided to tell this story precisely to draw people’s attention to the fact that young persons may struggle through their lives and need help. Indeed, the contemporary world is a severe and sometimes cruel place where the youth have to overcome many challenges like socialization, employment, new responsibilities, and lack of money: some of them are “vastly underpaid” (Baker 24).
What is more, it is common that most young people are not understood by others, their efforts are unappreciated, and they have much less support than they need. This may lead to mental disorders like depression or deep disappointment in life. Annie Baker told this story to raise society’s awareness of the necessity to pay more attention to the youth and their conditions.
This play is rich with different significant themes that make the audience rethink their views. For example, the motif of change is apparent throughout the play (Baker). The theatre faces the prospect of moving from traditional projecting tools to more advanced digital technologies like 3-D. Not all characters like this possibility: “that’s not the art form moving forward. That’s the art form moving backward” (Baker 33). Indeed, not all young people are ready for any changes, be it technologies in the workplace or major life modifications.
Another theme is the poor mental condition of some youth representatives and the necessity to be careful with them. Avery, a twenty-year-old African American worker of the theatre, has depression and attempted suicide because of having some issues and finding this life difficult. However, he continues fighting for being appreciated, he works in a place where his boss is a potential racist, and he does his best to fit into society.
Several social issues are raised in The Flick. For example, the play’s only female character, Rose, is the personification of issues related to women’s objectification, sex, and gender (Baker). Both consciously and unconsciously, Rose demonstrates the misperception of females. As the object of Sam’s desire, she reminds the audience that women should not be viewed merely as possible achievements. However, her behavior, rude phrases, and vulgar expressions make it challenging for other people to understand how to act with her. Another issue is racism and inequality of rights. Avery mentions once that their boss “didn’t want to hire a black guy,” which may mean that he denies and whitewashes racial issues (Baker 25).
What is more, when the workers’ illegal scheme of stealing money is discovered by the theatre’s new owner, Avery is the only one who gets fired. This is about the stereotype that most black persons deceive and steal, and one cannot trust them.
Before reading this play, I did not think that it was common for young people to doubt themselves and be unsure of their future. However, The Flick has completely changed my perspective. Most representatives of the youth may feel not belonging or are disappointed with themselves: “sometimes I worry that there is something wrong with me. But that I’ll never know exactly what it is” (Baker 88). Some young people are afraid of not living life to the fullest, experiencing all the essential emotions, or understanding their true feelings. For example, Avery once exclaims: “I haven’t truly like loved, or whatever in the right way, I thought I did, but I didn’t” (Baker 44). Therefore, thanks to the play, I now understand that such concerns and doubts are only a necessary part of development and growth.
Work Cited
Baker, Annie. The Flick. Samuel French, 2014.