Llyod was a former member of the military.
Lloyd has agreed to be a test subject.
Lloyd attempts suicide.
Lloyd is very knowledgeable on literature, and often makes references to it.
Lloyd forms a significant emotional attachment to Joan.
Lloyd wants to escape his own life and ultimately die. He wants to do this because he has lost his purpose due to an incredibly traumatic past that he doesn't have the emotional capacity to handle. More than anything, he wants the relief that comes with continuously suffering and being saved.
Calculated
Manipulative
Persuasive
Defeated
Fascinated
The verb in use: Fascinated
Joan: How are you feeling?
Lloyd: C‐c‐cold. My throat feels like it’s closing and my piss is starting to resemble m‐m‐motor oil, but mostly I’m fucking f‐f‐freezing. Lloyd This group you belong to—
Joan: It’s not a group. It’s a Movement. We’re not a fucking rock band… After it’s done, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.
Lloyd: You mean Us.
Joan: Of course. Us. I’ll take us wherever you want to go.
Lloyd: B‐b‐because I want you with me. Promise me.
Joan: I promise
Pg. 65-66
Lloyd and Joan are speaking to each other. Joan is Lloyd’s nurse and Lloyd is her patient.
This conversation is uninterrupted because while Joan is his nurse, she is also someone that Lloyd is infatuated with and trusts. He thinks of their time spent together as intimacy rather than a "check-up".
The theme of this play is numbness. Lloyd is an army veteran who has signed himself up to be a test subject in a museum of diseases. He is constantly injected with different historic diseases such as The Black Plague and Cholera. Each treatment brings him to a near-death experience but he is ultimately cured each time. Lloyd chooses to put himself through this cycle in an attempt to escape his past and the traumatic events he has caused/endured.
What resonated most with me was Lloyd's evident mental health issues. He was clearly suffering from depression, anxiety, and most importantly some form of post-traumatic stress disorder. I feel like while this is meant to be a dark and comedic play, it does an excellent job of highlighting just how far someone will go to escape their own mind. It's extremely relevant in today's culture and just reiterates the fact that mental health should be taken seriously.
Wonderful work Jullian.
I really like how you have identified that Lloyd has lost his purpose; it really connects to the depression and anxiety you also have identified in him. Your analysis of the play is very strong and very clear.
I also think your analysis of Joan and her place in Lloyd's life is really clear. Joan is fascinating Lloyd, sweeping him into her world. I am especially impressed by the way you were able to articulate why Joan is able to do her monologue on page 65. Your understanding of the difference between Intimacy and Efficiency is really great.
Excellent work as always!