Krista

I thought Scuba Lessons and Sure Thing were a little strange and very different (from what I'm used to), however, I cannot deny that I thoroughly enjoyed them. They both had striking similarities that were interesting and suprising to see, while also both having distinct differences that set them apart from each other and other short plays. Here is what I gathered:

Themes and Symbolism

Both Scuba Lessons and Sure Thing centered around a basic "love" theme, specifically on the dating aspect and the conflict(s) between men and women. They both shined light on the vast differences between men and women, as well. Scuba Lessons was unique, however, in that it dealt with an already existing relationship (between Dan and Kelly) and the complications that go along with it. Sure Thing, on the other hand, displayed the complexities between a couple first meeting. Different scenarios displayed Bill either not being able to come up with any interesting replies to Betty's remarks or lying - things that many people tend to do at some point when meeting and trying to impress someone for the first time. Although they had similar themes and ideas to them, they differed in the type of "love situation" they were dealing with. It was rather interesting also that both had small musical references made in them; the bell sounding was significant in Sure Thing and a small mention of "musical involvement" proved ironic in Scuba Lessons.

Characters and Setting

Interestingly enough, both of the short plays took place in a coffee shop and involved a waiter (although with some slight variation). The waiter was only referred to in Sure Thing, but in Scuba Lessons the coffee shop waiter had more of a role and dialogue. The characters in both plays not only involved a man and a woman meeting for the first time, but were all around the same age. I believe the fact that the characters were placed in a setting such as a cafe because it is not only a typical place for coversation but a convenient one, as well. Kelly (in Scuba Lessons) comments on her and Martin's meeting in the cafe: "I think this is a great place though. A nice place to meet people. And to talk."

Overall Story (and Message)
It was refreshing to see that both short plays ended on a kind of positive and happy note. Sure Thing, however, ended on a happy "scenario," if you will. Both plays seemed to have resulted in the happy ending we all expect and hope for in situations such as those. Relationships, dating, and love in general are complicated, difficult, and sometimes disappointing (to say the least), but Sure Thing and Scuba Lessons took those negative parts of love and showed the good, bad, ugly, and what would happen if all went well.


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*http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1276713/Scuba_Lessons_and_Sure_Thing