Self Discovery In Louis Nowra's Play 'Cosi'

660 Words3 Pages
“Just marvellous, Lewis. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Didn’t think it was possible. Came right out of their shells. They blossomed, blossomed!” It is lewis who truly blossoms in Cosi. Do you agree? Louis Nowra’s evocative play entitled ‘Cosi is an earnest representation of society’s perception of a “mentally unstable” person. Set in the 1970’s during the Vietnam War, Nowra parallels the chaos of the war with the madness of the asylum as he positions the audience to condemn the values of society, which treat mentally ill people in barbaric manners. Through the protagonist Lewis Riley, Nowra sets up a journey of self discovery as Lewis undertakes this project of directing Cosi Fan Tutte. It is evident that it is not only the patients that ‘came out of their shells’ but Lewis too as he gains hands on experience, confidence and forms his own opinions. In utilising the genre of black comedy, Nowra’s juxtaposition of the sensitive…show more content…
Lewis has modified his behaviour in order to deal with the differing needs of the patients and though it isn’t always successful, a change can clearly be seen in each of the characters. More importantly, Lewis has evolved from he follower that he was in believing Nick’s opinions and hiding in the background to taking control and growing his own independence. In commiting to this, that is pushing Lucy and Nick away as he ‘choose[‘s] the play’, Lewis catalyses momentous changes in him that mark his burgeoning maturity. The play forces Lewis to take responsibility for not only himself but also the physical and emotional welfare of the cast. This somewhat propels him from ‘his’ self centred pursuits of ‘his’ protests, or ‘his’ ambitions, to make a difference and to be worthy of something notable. Indeed ‘working with these people has changed [him]’ from the idealistic and naïve young man that he was to the mature and responsible adult he is
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