Conflict In Successful Drama

We live in a world where, without conflict, there is no entertainment. It is a convention of drama that there must be conflict between characters in order for it to be entertaining, and thus be successful. We can consider a text to be successful if the playwright is able to convey a view of a theme or issue to the audience that challenges our views as he or she originally intended. Through the conflicting views of characters, the audience is often exposed to attitudes and opinions different to their own. The One Day of the Year, by Alan Seymour, is a play that examines how through both the internal and external conflicts of different characters, we are exposed to an array of contrasting opinions, therefore validating the statement that this is successful drama. The main conflict between characters in The One Day of the Year is between Alf and his son, Hughie. Alf is a steadfast believer in Australia's superiority over other nations. He is jingoistic, xenophobic and stubborn. In fact, the first impression the reader gains of Alf is from his opening statement: "I'm a bloody Australian and I'll always stand up for bloody Australia." (Pg 27) But more importantly, he believes that Anzac Day is the one day of the year where he, and others like him, are considered heroes, and consequently can celebrate their heroism by getting blind drunk. Hughie, on the other hand, works towards exposing Anzac Day for what he believes it truly is- an excuse to get drunk. Hughie has been brought up with Alf's version of Anzac Day celebrations, and it is this which has shaped his anti-Anzac Day views. These two points of views are in direct conflict with each other, and are made all the more shocking by the fact that they belong to father and son- a relationship that is not traditionally in opposition. This conflict brings the audience's attention to the issues being explored, because these issues are the source of the conflict, and cannot be dismissed. By placing the opinions of Alf and Hughie towards Anzac Day at the extremes, Seymour forces the audience to consider a different point of view regardless of what their previous stance on the matter was. While it is evident that through this conflict we are introduced to different views, it is important to examine the individual character to fully understand why they hold these convictions. The reasons why both Hughie and Alf so strongly uphold their opinions is because of their own internal conflict. Alf, for example, feels so passionately about his own superiority on Anzac Day because he is insecure about himself. He feels ashamed about his own social background and education, and consequently overcompensates for this by both heightening his status on Anzac Day and putting greater expectations on Hughie to make up for his own failed schooling. The former can be seen when Alf proclaims to Jan, "I'm in a very good job, you know. This lift-driving, it's only temporary, see- [his family is surprised] and I've got a very good chance of getting into something better soon." (Pg 42) Here he is trying to prove to Jan that he is better than he assumes she thinks he is. He is obviously embarrassed and insecure about his status in the workforce, and must exaggerate in order to both impress Jan and feel better about himself. As aforementioned, Alf's insecurity causes him to act out his hopes though Hughie. Alf feels like he has wasted his chance for education so instead he forces Hughie to go through university in order to balance out his own lack of education. This is shown by Alf's reaction to the idea that Hughie wants to quit university: "You're gunna stay at that University till y've done the lot. And if it's a battle for you, right, it's a battle." (Pg95) Alf's attitude towards both his own status and Hughie's education due to his own insecurity is a source of conflict between Hughie and the other characters; it is Alf's inflated sense of ego on Anzac Day which Hughie objects to most. Thus through examining the basis of the conflict, we can better understand the character and the view they hold. This same analysis of character can be applied to Hughie. The audience knows that the main conflict he holds with Alf is due to his objection to the way Alf celebrates Anzac Day. However, for The One Day of the Year to be classified as a successful drama, the audience must be able to recognise and understand Hughie's point of view. Seymour does this by allowing us a glance into Hughie's childhood with his own recount of why he disagrees with the Anzac Tradition: "It's here. Encyclopaedia for Australian kids. You gave it to me yourself. Used to make me read the Anzac chapter every year. Well, I read it. The official history, all very glowing and patriotic. I read it... enough times to start seeing through it. [He has been leafing through book, finds place.] Do you know what the Gallipoli campaign meant? Bugger all." (Pg 78)

In this ironic situation we discover that Alf's determination to model Hughie into what he himself wanted to be is the cause of Hughie's scepticism towards the subject Alf prizes perhaps most highly of all. This also explains a lot of Alf's resentment towards Hughie's education. He continually refers to Hughie's schooling in a derogatory manner, some examples of which are, "[with deepest contempt]: Book-learnin'." (Pg 78) and, "Y'c'n get too smart for y'r own good. That's what that boy's doin'." (Pg 87) Hughie's inner conflict stems from the fact that he is more educated than the rest of his family, and this makes him an outcast in his own home. Without this conflict, the audience would not gain an insight into both Hughie's and Alf's opposing views. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that this conflict is the reason for making The One Day of the Year a successful drama because it exposes the audience to a different point of view, whatever that might be. The conflict that contributes to The One Day of the Year being successful is not entirely limited to Hughie and Alf, however. The character of Dot is conflicted in the sense that she cares for both Hughie and Alf, and is unwilling to take sides when the two are fighting. Dot is the mediator in the pair's relationship, and in a sense, is the instigator for Hughie's and Alf's major fight and consequent acceptance of each other. Her inner conflict has driven her to the point where she speaks out and shows authority despite her normally submissive role of mediator. Dot finally takes control of the situation when she exclaims, "I can't take much more. If you think it's any fun you two comin' and goin' never sayin' a word to each other...I can't stand much more." (Pg 83), and it is due to this that the two apologise, which simply sparks another argument. However, this new fight is what leads to the final resolution of their issues with each other, rather than just leaving their problems unresolved. It is the conflict that the character of Dot harbours which commences the act of acceptance and forgiveness in the other characters. While Dot was not for or against either viewpoint, her character is important in that her inner turmoil allows for the audience to eventually see the completion of both Hughie's and Alf's views. While conflict is by no means all that is responsible for making The One Day of the Year successful, it is still an essential factor. Without it, Alan Seymour would simply be presenting a one-sided view of Anzac Day. The inclusion of conflict allows the audience to consider an attitude different to their own, thus presenting to the audience something that is new and entertaining. The reason The One Day of the Year is successful is because despite the audience's previous opinions, there is one character who will challenge it; Alf is strongly for the meaning of Anzac Day, Hughie is strongly against it, and Dot is the non-committal mediator. If the definition of a successful drama is that the playwright challenges our point of view, well then The One Day of the Year is clearly an example of a successful drama, regardless of whether you, "don't wanna avea cuppa tea," or you're a "bloody Australian".