Tímarit Þjóðræknisfélags Íslendinga - 01.01.1963, Síða 86

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TÍMARIT ÞJÓÐRÆKNISFÉLAGS ÍSLENDINGA
self; that is, in the realization of
one’s dual nature as part earth, part
heaven. In that self-realization, the
play also seems to say, is to be found
harmony between spirit and body.
To express the duality of exist-
ence, the author uses structural
symbolism. Thus the first act takes
place in a vegetable garden, which
represents the limitations and hope-
lessness of merely physical life. In
contrast, the second act it set in an
orchard, where are found potentiali-
ties for unlimited development and
the freedom of the spirit: when
there, the searcher for happiness,
Worm, who in the vegetable garden
is a lame, one-eyed slave, is sound
and free. The final scene of the third
act, which takes place in the sum-
mer home of Worm’s master, Ant,
in the woods off the vegetable gar-
den, reveals, however, that the two
“gardens” are in reality one and the
same. For, as Firefly’s light flashes
on and oíf outside, the spectator
sees, through the open door of the
summer home, first the vegetable
garden; the next instant, the or-
chard; and finally, Worm standing
outside the door looking at his own
lifeless body within. Thus, although
the play holds out a hope for the
possibility of self-realization while
in the body, only in the moment of
death does Worm fully understand
his dual nature and become united
with his soul’s true love, Firefly.1
1. For additional information about
Guttormsson’s life and works the read-
er is referred to Stefán Einarsson,
History of Icelandic Prose Writers,
1800-1940 (Islandica, XXXII—
XXXIII; Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell Uni-
versity Press, 1948), pp. 244-245, on
which the remarks above in part are
based. — Translator.
CHARACTERS:
WORM
BUTTERFLY
FIREFLY
ANT
ACT I
A vegetable garden; plants in
many rows A tall pine forest on
each side. Upstage left a waterfall,
its roar audible, descends between
cliffs. In the pine forest to the right
of the waterfall is seen t'he gable of
a low but stately summer home of
logs; on the gable a door, a large
window to the right of it Evening;
darkness is falling.
Worm, in grey overalls, is hoeing
plants. Firejly, wearing a yellow
silk dress, is sitting on a stone to
the left.
Firefly: To know what is happiness,
one would have to be able to anti-
cipate all changes in oneself, for
one’s happiness is one’s condition at a
given moment. What is happiness to-
day may be unhappiness tomorrow.
To anticipate how any given in-
cident would change one’s condition,
one would have to know oneself.
Therefore happiness would seem
most likely to be found where there
is need for the greatest possible
number of one’s qualities or
talents.
Worm (puts down the hoe): The
first prerequisite for seeking hap-
piness is freedom. I don’t knoW
whether I possess few talents or
many. I am certain, however, that
those who make themselves con-
spicuous and hoe vegetables are in
bondage.