Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth By: HassanK.
It is said that whatever one has done in the past affects and alters the present. This is a prominent theme in the book Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth and is systematically shown. For instance, Janice seeks forgiveness for the ill feelings she has created and, tired of being angry at the past, she ends the play on a note of hopeful reconciliation. Readers get a clear understanding of the theme, and how it contributes to the meaning of the play. In this play, we observe that the past influences what happens in the present by affecting one’s life, the lives of others, and by creating conflicts between people.
Whatever happens in the past affects you as an individual, and this is clearly shown with Janice/Grace. Janice is an educated young lady, with a great career ahead of her as a lawyer. She lives in a high-rise condo in downtown Toronto, and leads a financially stable and healthy life. However when Janice went back to visit Otter Lake on Christmas, everything changed. She completely broke down in emotion and couldn’t handle all the overwhelming information that she received “.. That’s why I left last time. It was too much too soon. I was crumbled. Thirty five years stuffed into an hour” (Pg. 78). As a result of this, Janice’s out-going personality completely vaporized. She became depressed, sad, and had conflicting feelings about her true identity. These feelings led her to not being able to work and then later on having her go to therapy to seek help “… However, finding herself under severe emotional distress due to her visit, my client is unable to resume work. She decides to take two months off, to deal with the bouncing around in her head” (Pg. 97). These past events developed a stronger Janice. Because of all the events Janice experienced, she gained courage and strength to go back and visit her mother’s grave, and she showed signs of maturity. Janice’s past truly changed her as a person and altered her present in a positive way.
Not only does the past affect your life, it can also affect the lives of those around you, which is exhibited with Barb. When Janice left the reserve and never came back, Barb had to take care of her mother and act as the responsible individual by doing chores like cooking and cleaning. As soon as Janice left, a whole load was dropped on Barbs shoulders. This caused Barb to become angry, sad, and depressed “Moms room, I can’t go in there. Even after four days it still makes me feel too weird…” (Pg. 76). We can see that Barb still cannot get over her mother’s death and is unable to enter. In addition to this, Janice’s actions caused Barb to become lonely. Now that her mother has passed away, Janice is the only family member Barb has and the only family Barb can rely on “My brothers dead, my mother, and my father. I’m an orphan. I don’t want to be alone… you’re all I’ve got left Grace” (Pg. 101).
In addition to affecting your own life and the lives of others, the past can create conflicts between individuals. A conflict that is repeatedly exhibited in this play is between Janice and Barb. Both ladies are constantly arguing about who is right or wrong and who is to blame. Barb is continuously criticizing Janice for not being culturally connected with the native community while also blaming her for their mother’s death “No, it’s not is it? I loved mom, she loved you, and you killed her” (Pg. 100). These exchanges of harsh words led to some physical action when Janice punched Barb in the face. In addition to that, there was an immense amount tension between both ladies in the beginning of the play. This was shown when Barb showed no interest to interact with Janice and regularly stated that she did not want to stay in her home “I don’t want to stay here!” (Pg. 25). The conflict between the two sisters was shown throughout the whole play, and clearly showcased how ones actions and past created conflict.
In conclusion, the play Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth demonstrates how the past can alter and modify the present. These modifications can either be for the better or for the worse. In this play, we see the re-connection of Janice and Barb. The reader can assume that both will get along in the future as the ending of the play was written beautifully and elegantly. The play shows the changes in both characters as a result of their past and shows how they grow to become more mature.
“ If we are willing to explore the origins of our feelings, and are able to express those feelings, then we are in fact being given over and over again the opportunity to heal them, and to free ourselves from the pain of the past.” – Graham Cook