Love Is an Emotional Rollercoaster...or Carousel

I don't know if it's just me, but I never really got into the carousel rides at amusement parks and fairs. Sure, there's some appeal to slowly riding around in a circle a few times, but after the 9th or 10th time the enjoyment has pretty much dissipated. This was not the case back in the late 1800's, however. The carousel was one of the most popular rides, and even more desirable was the barker that drew in customers. In Rodgers' and Hammerstein's Carousel, the whole plot is based off two young people meeting at one of these carousels. At first, the opening scene sets the musical up to appear as a typical young love story. But once we analyze the theme deeper, a more realistic (and unfortunately somber) message is involved.

When Julie first meets Billy, an instant connection is felt. As is true of most beginning relationships, these feelings were due to attraction and looks. All the girls love Billy, but only Julie is able paralyze him with her beauty. The two go out that night (though they refuse to confess their feelings for each other), and the next time we see them, they're in an abusive marriage. Boom.

So what happened behind the scenes? Obviously, the young love wore off and the couple realized there must be more to a relationship than simply attraction. But at what point? And why did this relationship turn abusive when there are many marriages that are perfectly healthy? Unfortunately, this problem isn't restricted to Act 1 Scene 3 of Carousel. Domestic violence is a pressing issue all over the world, as is seen through the many commercials and ads campaigning against abuse (including the video we watched in class). Women are discouraged from staying in the relationship, though many, like Julia, are afraid and ashamed to leave. Many victims won't even tell anyone what is happening, let alone ask for help. What was a prominent issue when Carousel debuted in 1945 is now evermore present in today's society.

When catching up with her friend, Carrie, Julia admits that Billy hit her a previous night while he was in a bad mood. She must work up the courage to talk to her friend about the issue, especially after hearing about how well Carrie's marriage is going. Making the matter worse, Julia doesn't hold Billy responsible for his actions; she justifies what he did by explaining that he was frustrated with his life that night. Julia, in a way, blames herself for disturbing Billy, when she should be feeling as though she was the victim. Julia then can't help but to compare her marriage with her friend's. Carrie's relationship, while lacking true attraction, is healthy; she and her husband support and trust each other (for the most part). Her marriage is juxtaposed with Julia's to show the reality of what is happening to women all over the world.

Here is just one of the many ads circulating to stop domestic abuse:



video courtesy of yandrchicago

Carousel is one of the first musicals to really touch on this subject. The show exposed its audience to the dangers of being in (and staying in) a toxic relationship; Julia feels she is forced to stay with Billy after she learns she is pregnant. And once Billy dies, Julia must take care of her daughter completely by herself. Still prevalent today, Carousel brings awareness to the fact that something needs to be changed...and fast.



Work Cited
Yandrchicago. "New Domestic Violence PSA- 'It Rarely Stops' (HD)." Online video clip. National             Domestic Violence Hotline. Youtube, 15 September 2010. Web.