Script Analysis

Where?:
In Pygmal's house, which lies in a fictional town in southern France, near Cap Ferrat. In the living room of the house.

When?:
In mid-1930s. The world just starting to recover from the Great Depression.

What?:
The play focuses on Gala (the independent mother) and Pygmal's (father) discussion of their children's marriage. In the play, Gala pays Pygmal a visit in his home and confronts him about the marriage. Only with both the parents' consent will the marriage occur. However as the scene progresses the focus strays solely to the relationship between Gala and Pygmal.

Who?:
Gala Van Der Merwe (46yrs): Mother of Vickus her son. She is a widow having lost her husband in WWI. She is very independent, strong willed, sometimes stubborn. She worries that her identity has been lost, having to focus all her time and eneryg on Vickus. She is very wealthy, her husband was a Dutch Duke and she gained all his wealth after his death. She is Basque.

Vickus Van Der Merwe (21yrs): Son of Gala. Never makes an appearance on stage. Is very handsome, but also extremely shy. Does not know how to flirt with women. His mother sometimes wonders whether he's homosexual.

Pygmal Aitor (39 yrs): Father of Adonie. Comes from a family of Basque aristocrats. Had a affair with a kitchen servant when he was younger. Left the servant, but took Adonie with him to Cap Ferrat. A romantic, but very unsociable. Shy.

Adonie Aitor (19yrs): Daughter of Pygmal. Never makes an appearance on stage. Determined, yet at the same time the 'perfect' example of a young marriageable girl. Comes of as very innocent.


Why?:
The point of Vows is to examine the relationship between males and females through stereotypical gender roles. Of course each character isn't a stereotype, but simply has characteristics of a stereotype of its sex. During the 1930s, especially among the upper classes, the role of women in society were changing drastically. Some of these issues are still relevant today as well.