Consciousness, Literature and the Arts
Archive
Volume 12 Number 1, April 2011
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THE SHUNNING
by Patrick Friesen at Manitoba Theatre Centre, 2011
I disobeyed, is the first line of the play
that brings us into the tailspin of a Mennonite
ostracized by his community for saying no
to a bit of doctrine
in the afternoon I’d been talking
with Bruce Sarbit about giving up
smoking and drinking
having to say no
so much of what you are
is a function of saying no
to your community
until of course they say no more
and in class talking about the mystery
plays like the Second Shepherds’ Play
and the morality plays nailing their audiences
to paths of repentance
as Peter gets more isolated
the wall representing the church
encroaches evermore, pushing
everything to the edge
the importance of being
part of a world, to participate
and yet not merging, knowing you
as you, as a difference, to make a difference
Peter’s brother has a defiant sense of humour
but stays in the fold. Peter’s wife longs to have him back
but neither they nor Peter can find
a balance between no and yes
for us all whatever is chosen
the costs are dear