The Woods: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Woods: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex dynamics of a deteriorating relationship between Ruth and Nick, two individuals grappling with profound emotional challenges. Ruth, a young woman yearning for a deeper romantic connection, finds herself overwhelmed by her fears of abandonment and loss, which manifest through her fragmented speech and obsessive need for contact. Her psychological state reveals her struggle with rising hysteria, particularly after a violent confrontation with Nick, after which she offers him a twisted form of nurturing that speaks to his vulnerabilities.
In contrast, Nick is characterized as a deeply troubled figure who communicates minimally, often reflecting themes of fear—fear of entrapment, death, and the void of meaning in life. His violent outburst against Ruth marks a critical moment; it highlights his inability to cope with her romantic aspirations and his own emotional turmoil. As the narrative unfolds, both characters reveal their interdependence, ultimately finding solace in each other's arms, united by their shared fears. This exploration of their relationship raises questions about love, vulnerability, and the psychological burdens that can define human connections.
The Woods: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: David Mamet
First published: 1979
Genre: Play
Locale: A summer cottage in the woods
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: The 1970's
Ruth, a young woman seeking a romantic commitment from her reluctant lover. Spending a weekend at a cabin with Nick, trying to escape the pressures of the city, their jobs, and their obviously deteriorating relationship, she speaks incessantly in fragmented sentences and incomplete narratives. Fear of abandonment, loss, and decay are the central themes running through her conversation. What emerges is the gradual revelation of her psychological state: She is having problems controlling her rising hysteria and her need to make contact. After Nick's attack on her, she is able to withdraw emotionally from him and offer him a kind of a sexual nurturing for his childlike need.
Nick, an intensely troubled young man. For much of the play, he speaks very little, in contrast to Ruth and her flood of language. His few comments contain the themes of fear of entrapment, fear of death, and fear of meaninglessness. When he feels the need to break through Ruth's romantic imaginings, he explodes and attacks her physically and sexually. When the assault fails and Ruth acknowledges the impossibility of her desires for a warm, committed relationship, Nick becomes increasingly vulnerable, frightened, and willing to express his emotional neediness. At the end, he comes to her arms as a child, and they cling to each other out of necessity, united by their mutual fears.