Necessary Targets: cultural context

Overview of Cultural Context in ‘Necessary Targets’

The play ‘Necessary Targets’ is set in the backdrop of the Bosnian war, shaping the cultural environment of its characters.
This enables an exploration of the profound impacts of war on individual lives and social dynamics.

Cultural Background of Characters

Characters in the play come from diverse cultural backgrounds, providing a contrast between Western and Bosnian lifestyles.
The differences surface primarily through characters’ reactions to trauma, their ideologies, and coping mechanisms.

Cultural Factors Shaping Characters’ Perspectives

The author uses cultural context to shape characters’ perspectives.
This is reflected through characters’ narratives, their attitudes towards life, war, and methods of resilience.

Impact of Bosnian Culture and War

The Bosnian war and local culture heavily influence characters’ actions and dialogues.
The housewives, as an example, typically use Bosnian folk songs and stories, which serve both as a coping mechanism and a means to preserve their cultural identity amidst the turmoil.

Western Perspective and Response

The characters J.S. and Melissa, on the other hand, represent the perspective of the western world.
Their reaction to the trauma of the Bosnian women, their approach to therapy, and their evolving understanding of the situation, provide a lens to evaluate the cultural differences and common human attributes.

Cultural Context and Themes of the Play

The cultural context of ‘Necessary Targets’ reflects the play’s central themes - war, trauma, cultural clashes, and healing.
Through cultural nuances, the author deepens the interpretation of these themes, highlighting the perspective of both sides - the affected and the observers.

Significance of Understanding Cultural Context

Understanding the cultural context in ‘Necessary Targets’ equips to appreciate the character development, plot progression, and thematic depth of the play.
It enables to understand the disparity and commonalities between cultures and the humanistic perspective on war and suffering.