ST Online Forum: "Inappropriate to name play The Final Solution"
ST Online Forum:"Inappropriate to name play The Final Solution"
Although I am no prophet, I suppose I was, in light of the negative associations that the phrase "The Final Solution" has with Nazi Germany and The Holocaust, expecting a letter, like the one above, to appear after I got to know that the local church in question was going to title its Easter Play as "The Final Solution".
Personally, besides agreeing with the sentiments expressed by the letter writer, I also cannot help but wonder why was the title "The Final Solution" (note: the full title of the play was "The Final Solution -- A New Messiah?") even approved in the first place? Surely the organisers behind the play would have some knowledge of the negative associations that the phrase "The Final Solution" has, no? [if they didn't, then, no offence, I cannot help but be amazed/disturbed at the level of ignorance]
And while I can understand that the idea of naming the play "The Final Solution" may perhaps stem from the Christian belief that the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ was God's solution for the salvation of humankind, surely "The Ultimate Solution", "The Divine Solution" or any other similar titles would have worked just as well, no?
Hmm... I wonder if the local church in question and/or any of their members will respond to the letter above?
Update No. 1 (1730h, 13/4/2009)
It would seem that, according to the trailer and interview with the organisers of the play in question, the organisers behind the play are aware of the negative associations that the phrase "The Final Solution" has. However, I still do not understand why the play is named "The Final Solution". Of course, I will concede that having not watched the play, I may not be aware of an underlying reason, if any, for why the play is named "The Final Solution".
So if any of you all reading this have watched the play, perhaps you all can enlighten me and the rest of those reading this blog post on any underlying reason behind the play's rather controversial title.
Update No. 2 (2100h, 14/4/2009)
From what I could gather from a simple blog search, it seems that in the play in question, "The Final Solution" was the name for a fictional serum that, once injected into a person, will alters that person's DNA and rendering him/her unable to sin after the injection.
Hmm... As interesting as the above idea may sound, the question remains: why "The Final Solution"?
Update No. 3 (2205h, 15/4/2009)
I did a quick check with an acquaintance of mine who is a member of the local church in question and who went for the play in question.
According to him, the play's plot has no real link with The Holocaust. If so, then why include scenes about The Holocaust in the trailer of the play? Was it, as a comment on this blog post said, "a calculated attempt to draw attention to itself, albeit in a rather contrived manner"?
And, oh yeah, my friend is of the opinion that people complaining about the play's title are perhaps making a mountain out of a molehill.
Update No. 4 (1115h, 16/4/2009)
The local church in question has written in a response which has been published on the ST Online Forum.
Although I am no prophet, I suppose I was, in light of the negative associations that the phrase "The Final Solution" has with Nazi Germany and The Holocaust, expecting a letter, like the one above, to appear after I got to know that the local church in question was going to title its Easter Play as "The Final Solution".
Personally, besides agreeing with the sentiments expressed by the letter writer, I also cannot help but wonder why was the title "The Final Solution" (note: the full title of the play was "The Final Solution -- A New Messiah?") even approved in the first place? Surely the organisers behind the play would have some knowledge of the negative associations that the phrase "The Final Solution" has, no? [if they didn't, then, no offence, I cannot help but be amazed/disturbed at the level of ignorance]
And while I can understand that the idea of naming the play "The Final Solution" may perhaps stem from the Christian belief that the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ was God's solution for the salvation of humankind, surely "The Ultimate Solution", "The Divine Solution" or any other similar titles would have worked just as well, no?
Hmm... I wonder if the local church in question and/or any of their members will respond to the letter above?
Update No. 1 (1730h, 13/4/2009)
It would seem that, according to the trailer and interview with the organisers of the play in question, the organisers behind the play are aware of the negative associations that the phrase "The Final Solution" has. However, I still do not understand why the play is named "The Final Solution". Of course, I will concede that having not watched the play, I may not be aware of an underlying reason, if any, for why the play is named "The Final Solution".
So if any of you all reading this have watched the play, perhaps you all can enlighten me and the rest of those reading this blog post on any underlying reason behind the play's rather controversial title.
Update No. 2 (2100h, 14/4/2009)
From what I could gather from a simple blog search, it seems that in the play in question, "The Final Solution" was the name for a fictional serum that, once injected into a person, will alters that person's DNA and rendering him/her unable to sin after the injection.
Hmm... As interesting as the above idea may sound, the question remains: why "The Final Solution"?
Update No. 3 (2205h, 15/4/2009)
I did a quick check with an acquaintance of mine who is a member of the local church in question and who went for the play in question.
According to him, the play's plot has no real link with The Holocaust. If so, then why include scenes about The Holocaust in the trailer of the play? Was it, as a comment on this blog post said, "a calculated attempt to draw attention to itself, albeit in a rather contrived manner"?
And, oh yeah, my friend is of the opinion that people complaining about the play's title are perhaps making a mountain out of a molehill.
Update No. 4 (1115h, 16/4/2009)
The local church in question has written in a response which has been published on the ST Online Forum.
Posts
4 comments:
Never attribute to malice what ignorance will suffice.
To: Jian,
While I am in agreement with your one-liner comment, I suppose that lest anyone be mistaken, I should clarify that I am not saying that the title of the play was purposely chosen for some malicious purpose. I will however find it most unbelievable that people will have no knowledge about the negative associations that the phrase "The Final Solution" has.
Also, if in fact the title was chosen due to ignorance, ignorance (or feigned ignorance) still does have its repercussions.
These are very educated people we are talking about, so I doubt it is ignorance. Most likely its a deliberate use of the term to achieve some kind of desired psychological effect (Jesus dying on the cross? Holocaust?). They might also feel that they have a right to use the term, despite its sensitivity, because of the close relationship between their religion and Jews?
I thought the choice of title was tasteless. If it were chosen with knowledge of the Holocaust, then it was a calculated attempt to draw attention to itself, albeit in a rather contrived manner.
If it were done out of ignorance, then I too am disturbed by the level of ignorance that reigns over this lot. However, as rightly pointed out, they are no simpletons. Therefore, this was clearly a calculated attempt to ride on the infamous connotations of the "Final Solution" to gain their own 15 minutes of fame. Tragic.
Doubt they'll respond to it, just as the NCC has not responded to the deluge of letters regarding its extravagant commercial plans and over-the-top pay scheme for its one star.
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