Relevance of the prologue

The writer uses the prologue as prosecutor to major events in the text.  Discuss the relevance of the prologue in the play The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

 

The Prologue begins with a conflict between members of two farms – Goat Farm Rosa Luxemburg and Fruit Farm Galinsk seated in a circle smoking & drinking wine. This shows unity despite present conflict - wish for peace.  Both claim ownership of a valley. The goat herding commune want the piece of land because they are the original owners of the land before they were forcefully moved away. The fruit growing commune on the other hand have laid an elaborate plan on how they would utilize the land. In the play there is a circle drawn. It is used as a fair way of determining who should get the baby.

             Delegate oversees proceedings. He is a comrade specialist from state Reconstruction Commission in Tylis. He impartial. He listens to both sides and allows members to make them own verdict. In the play there is judge Azdak. He rules in favor of the poor and gives the best judgment .The motherly gets baby Michael 

             Owners collective Goat Farm Rosa Luxemboung left land in fear of war. Conflict Land belonged to them and they want it back because where they are the grass is not good. They invoke the law of prior possession. They have always been in this valley. We also see in the play Natella the biological mother of baby Michael left him because of war. Later she comes and claims the baby but for her material thirst.

                  Land given to collective fruit farm Galinsk because they had plans to plant Orchids - grow more fruit plus vineyards. They will blow up rocks to force water down for irrigation i.e if they get Goat farmers land. This is also similar to when Baby Micheal was given to Grusha because she is motherly. She raised him - bought milk with week‟s pay, fled to Nothern.mountains, Married a dying man, crossed a rotten bridge and refused to pull Michael with fear of hurting him. What there is shall go to those who are good for it.

            Goat farmers, the original owners do not get land as they do not have better plans. They just wish to have a stud farm. Delegate suggests that the Owners seek state support if the land they are in is not that good - cheese was not good.  In the play Natella does not get the baby. She pulls him from the circle to indicate lack of motherly intent. She abandoned Michael while he needed him most. She needs inheritance tied to him to pay lawyers.

            We see there was war. Both the peasants sit in the ruins of a village in Soviet Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains after World War II. The groups have fought Hitler during the war and congratulate each other on the victory.  There is also the Mention of goat farmers Effects leaving as Hitler’s. War is seen in the play where the governor George Abashwili is beheaded by the Fat prince during the war –the soldiers limping and dying. Natella and Grusha also flee due to war.

                  Prologue acts as a signal of what will happen - flash - forward. It summarizes the story of the chalk circle.