Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
A Chorus Divided Cannot Stand: Ron Rash’s “Greek” Chorus
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Ron Rash has stated that he based his tree loggers in Serena off of the concept of the Greek tragic chorus, yet the loggers hardly act as unified as their ancient predecessors. Greek chorus members had identical characterization, position, lines, and movements. Greek choruses reacted to and commented upon the actions of the main characters, but did so in a passive manner. While Rash’s chorus does uphold some Greek characteristics, it differs in that each person has a distinguishable character. Rash’s individualized chorus departs from the classical tradition in order to emphasize the importance of each lower class logger’s perspective. Like a Greek chorus, Rash’s chorus is inactive. The loggers know about the killings, but they do nothing to stop the deaths. There are few instances in which Greek chorus members become distinct characters, but the most famous example of this is the chorus of elders in the Agamemnon when they disintegrates while Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon. They argue about what they should do, but, in the end, are unable to act. Rash’s loggers follow this example, and their indecision forces them into inaction. This discontinuity among the members creates a broader perspective on the lower class, allowing the reader to hear their many different voices. Despite this broader focus, however, they still cannot affect the actions of the main characters. When the snake forces McIntyre to react to Serena’s actions, he falls mute, retreats, and accomplishes nothing, just like the chorus of elders.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Lesleigh B. Jones received her BA in English from Houston Baptist University in 2013 and her MA in Classical Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in 2015. She is currently working as a tutor at UMass Boston while applying to PhD programs in Literature.
A Chorus Divided Cannot Stand: Ron Rash’s “Greek” Chorus
Ron Rash has stated that he based his tree loggers in Serena off of the concept of the Greek tragic chorus, yet the loggers hardly act as unified as their ancient predecessors. Greek chorus members had identical characterization, position, lines, and movements. Greek choruses reacted to and commented upon the actions of the main characters, but did so in a passive manner. While Rash’s chorus does uphold some Greek characteristics, it differs in that each person has a distinguishable character. Rash’s individualized chorus departs from the classical tradition in order to emphasize the importance of each lower class logger’s perspective. Like a Greek chorus, Rash’s chorus is inactive. The loggers know about the killings, but they do nothing to stop the deaths. There are few instances in which Greek chorus members become distinct characters, but the most famous example of this is the chorus of elders in the Agamemnon when they disintegrates while Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon. They argue about what they should do, but, in the end, are unable to act. Rash’s loggers follow this example, and their indecision forces them into inaction. This discontinuity among the members creates a broader perspective on the lower class, allowing the reader to hear their many different voices. Despite this broader focus, however, they still cannot affect the actions of the main characters. When the snake forces McIntyre to react to Serena’s actions, he falls mute, retreats, and accomplishes nothing, just like the chorus of elders.
