A Sunny Morning
Summary
In the play "A Sunny Morning," Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo meet in a park in Madrid. Dona Laura is a white-haired old lady who is refined and has a sharp mind, while Don Gonzalo is an old gentleman who is gouty and impatient. Both of them are initially hostile towards each other, with Dona Laura scolding Don Gonzalo for scaring away the birds she was feeding and Don Gonzalo being rude to her.
As they continue to talk, they begin to recognize each other as their former lovers, Laura Llorente and a gallant lover. Despite this realization, they continue to spin fictitious stories about themselves and do not reveal their true identities.
Throughout the conversation, the two of them display a mix of humour and irony. They tease each other and playfully argue, but also show glimpses of the deep feelings they still have for each other. Eventually, they agree to meet again at the park and a new friendship begins.
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions.
a. What makes Dona Laura think that Don Gonzalo is an ill-natured man? Why do neither Dona Laura nor Don Gonzalo reveal their true identities?
Dona Laura initially thinks that Don Gonzalo is an ill-natured man because he is rude and dismissive of her when they first meet. He scolds her for feeding the birds and refuses to sit next to her on the bench, choosing instead to stand and read his book aloud.
Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo feel guilty about their failing relationship and are hesitant to reveal their true identities to each other because they do not want to revisit their past and potentially stir up old feelings of guilt or sadness. They have changed significantly since their youth and are not the same people they were when they were in a relationship together. If they were to reveal their true identities, they might feel uncomfortable and depressed because they would be reminded of the changes they have undergone and the paths their lives have taken since their relationship ended. By not revealing their true identities, they are able to enjoy each other's company without the burden of their past and without feeling uncomfortable or depressed.
b. At what point of time, do you think, Laura and Gonzalo begin to recognise each other?
Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo begin to recognize each other when they start talking about the failed love affair of Laura Llorente and a gallant lover. As they reminisce about their pasts and reveal details about their lives, they begin to realize that they are the old lovers that they are discussing.
c. When does Dona Laura realise that Don Gonzalo was her former lover?
Dona Laura realizes that Don Gonzalo is her former lover when he responds in a way that suggests he knows about the sad love affair of the silver maiden. As they are discussing their pasts and reminiscing about their youth, Don Gonzalo reveal details about the love affair that only someone who was intimately involved in it would know.
d. Why do Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo spin fictitious stories about themselves?
Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo spin fictitious stories about themselves in order to test each other's memory and to see if the other recognizes them. Both characters are elderly and it is possible that their memories are not as sharp as they used to be, so they use these stories as a way to jog each other's memories and to see if they can recall any details from their past.
e. How do Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo feel about each other?
When Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo realize that they are former lovers, they feel good and are drawn back to each other by their shared memories and past connection. The emotional tides that once bound them together is reignited, and they may feel a sense of nostalgia for their youth and for their relationship. This lead to the start of a new friendship between them, as they promise to meet again at the park and continue to enjoy each other's company.
Reference to the context
a. Look at the extract below and answer the questions that follow:
“Yes, you are only twenty. (She sits down on the bench.) Oh, I feel more tired today than usual. (Noticing Petra, who seems impatient.) Go, if you wish to chat with your guard.”
i. Who is the speaker?
The speaker in the extract is Dona Laura.
ii. Who does ‘you’ refer to?
'You' refers to Petra, Dona Laura's maid.
iii. Who is the ‘guard’ the speaker is talking to?
The 'guard' that the speaker is talking to is the park guard.
b. Read the extract dialogue from the play and answer the questions that follow:
DONA LAURA: (Indignantly.) Look out!
DON GONZALO: Are you speaking to me, senora?
DONA LAURA: Yes, to you.
DON GONZALO: What do you wish?
DONA LAURA: You have scared away the birds who were feeding on my crumbs.
DON GONZALO: What do I care about the birds?
DONA LAURA: But I do.
DON GONZALO: This is a public park.
c. Who is Dona addressing by saying “Look out”?
Dona Laura is addressing Don Gonzalo by saying "Look out!"
d. What was Dona doing?
Dona Laura was feeding bread crumbs to the birds.
e. Who scared the birds? Are they pet birds?
Don Gonzalo scared the birds. They are not pet birds, they are birds that live in the park.
f. Where are the speakers at the time of the conversation?
The speakers are in a park in Madrid, the capital of Spain.
g. What is the effect of flashback in the play when Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo knew that they were the lovers in the past?
The effect of the flashback in the play when Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo realize that they were the lovers in the past is to provide a deeper understanding of their relationship and their shared history. The flashback serves to fill in the gaps in the story and to provide context for their current interactions. It may also create a sense of nostalgia for their youth and for the love that they shared, and may elicit strong emotions in both Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo as they reflect on their past. The flashback may also serve to deepen the emotional connection between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo, as they are reminded of the bond that they once shared and the feelings that they still have for each other. Ultimately, the effect of the flashback in the play is to enrich the story and to provide insight into the characters and their relationships.
h. Discuss how the play is built around humour and irony.
The play "A Sunny Morning" by Serafin and Joaquin Alvarez Quintero is built around humour and irony in a number of ways.
One source of humour in the play is the banter between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo. Both characters are quick-witted and enjoy poking fun at each other, which creates a lighthearted and humorous tone. For example, when Don Gonzalo reads a poem about a man who returns to his old love after twenty years, Dona Laura responds with a joke about the man's age, saying "You cannot imagine how it affects me to see you reading with all those glasses. Don Gonzalo replies with a sarcastic comment, saying "Can you read without any? At your age? You're jesting." This exchange is humorous because it plays on the characters' age and the stereotype that older people have poor eyesight.
Irony is also used in the play to create humour and to comment on the characters' relationships and situations. One example of irony is when Don Gonzalo boasts about his hunting skills, saying that he goes to one of his estates near Aravaca to "kill time" every Sunday. Dona Laura responds with a sarcastic comment, saying "Yes, kill time. That is all you kill." This is ironic because it suggests that Don Gonzalo's hunting trips are not actually successful and that he is just pretending to be a skilled hunter. This comment also undermines Don Gonzalo's masculinity and his attempts to assert his dominance over Dona Laura.
Overall, the use of humour and irony in "A Sunny Morning" adds depth to the characters and their relationships, and helps to create a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere.
i. How is the title ‘A Sunny Morning’ justifiable? Discuss.
The title "A Sunny Morning" is justifiable in the context of the play in a number of ways.
First, the setting of the play is a park in Madrid on a sunny morning in autumn. This bright and cheerful setting is in contrast to the gloomy and rainy weather that is often associated with autumn, and adds to the overall lighthearted and positive atmosphere of the play.
Second, the sunny morning serves as a metaphor for the renewed relationship between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo. The bright and cheerful setting represents the renewal and rejuvenation of their relationship after many years of separation. Just as the sun brings warmth and light to the morning, the characters' reunion brings new life and hope to their relationship.
Finally, the sunny morning reflects the positive and optimistic outlook of the characters. Despite their age and the challenges that they have faced in their lives, both Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo are optimistic and take joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as feeding the birds and reading poetry. The sunny morning serves as a symbol of their positive outlook and their ability to find joy and meaning in the present moment.
Overall, the title "A Sunny Morning" is justifiable because it reflects the setting, the themes, and the characters of the play, and captures the positive and optimistic tone of the story.
Reference beyond the text
a. What do you predict will happen in the next meeting between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo? Discuss.
Based on the events of the play, it is likely that Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo will continue to rekindle their relationship and spend more time together in their next meeting. Throughout the play, they have demonstrated a strong connection and a mutual respect for each other, and it seems likely that they will continue to enjoy each other's company.
One reason for this is that both Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo seem to have a deep appreciation for the arts and literature, and they enjoy engaging in thoughtful and intellectual conversations. In their first meeting, they are seen reading poetry and discussing their thoughts and opinions on various topics. This shared interest in the arts and literature is likely to be a strong bonding factor for them, and they may choose to spend more time exploring these interests together.
Additionally, Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo seem to have a genuine fondness for each other, and they are able to laugh and joke with each other in a light-hearted manner. This sense of camaraderie and mutual respect is likely to encourage them to continue spending time together and strengthening their relationship.
Overall, it seems likely that Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo will continue to enjoy each other's company and strengthen their relationship in their next meeting. Their shared interests in the arts and literature, as well as their genuine fondness for each other, will likely serve as strong bonding factors for them.
b. Was it wise for Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo to keep their identities secret? How might their secrets affect future meetings?
It is not wise for Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo to keep their identities secret. By not revealing their identities, they are avoiding dealing with the emotions and issues that may still be present in their relationship. While it may be easier in the short term to avoid discussing these issues, they may continue to be a source of conflict and discomfort in future meetings.
In addition, by keeping their identities secret, they may be depriving themselves of the opportunity to fully understand and resolve their feelings for each other. By not fully acknowledging their past relationship, they may be hindering their ability to move forward and potentially build a new and stronger connection.
By not being honest about their identities, Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo are not allowing for a genuine and authentic relationship to develop. While it may be tempting to avoid discussing difficult topics, in the long run it is usually more productive to address issues and emotions head on. By not being open and honest about their past relationship, Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo are not giving themselves the opportunity to fully understand and move past any lingering feelings they may have for each other.
c. Write the summary of the play.