Tevye Act 1 Analysis

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Act I Scene opens with Tevye and his family fleeing their village Anatevka to their new home. Tevye a middle aged man who is dressed in traditional garb with a beard that is a mix of grey and black. Tevye uses his comedic side to amuse his two remaining daughters while Golde is checking nothing has been forgotten. Tevye’s wife Golde a woman with dark brown hair and matching eyes along with wrinkles from stress of finding matches for her daughters. The fiddler follows behind them and begins to strum the opening chords of “Tradition”. Tevye starts his narration as he describes the tradition is what makes any family run successfully. All of the sudden a yelp is heard ahead of the road. Tevye’s inner conflict shows as “Tevye’s monologue” starts. …show more content…

Thus Tevye takes his family towards the screams. A girl no older than 14 lies on the ground her pale face and hair blending into the pure white snow. Golde shields her daughter as any mother would do as a possibly dead child lays ahead. Tevye warily walks and kneels so he is level to the girl he reaches out to touch her out she wakes in tizzy. Arms flailing and tears streaming down her face Tevye carefully asks if she is ok. To which the mysterious young girl replies by saying she does not know. Tevye confused by this says how does she not know if she is ok. Golde now unshielding her children steps forward and grabs Tevye's arm and sees how frightend the child is. Golde waltzes up to her and introduces herself asking the young girls name. No reply, again Golde asks the child looks up and says I don’t remember queing the start of the song “In my Dreams.” Tevye and Golde make eye contact Tevye’s constant conflict takes over. Again “ Tevye’s Monologue” commences as he is unsure of whether he should take Anya in but the torah is meant to be a unifying force and the poor girl should have some structure. Golde questions Tevye by saying will we pass on our traditions to her? Anya is placed on the wagon and the family continues on their way traveling past St. Petersburg on to …show more content…

Rolfe begins singing “Stay, I Pray You.” Rolfe agrees as that is one thing he lacks an individual mind as he is naive and gullible and will follow whoever. They journey to the train station in all its wrought iron and rust. The train stops and the pair hop on as “Stay, I Pray You” ends. Next, a montage of the journey ensues along to the song “Journey to the Past.” The bright lights and beautiful landscapes of France paint the stage. After, that Anya is on the street inquiring about a missing child tob which no one takes notice of. Rolfe mean while is off where he runs into a German officer who has a stern face and cold unforgiving eyes. Anya frantically searching for someone with any information does not notice Rolfe slipping away into the clutches of the rising Nazi Party. Rolfe is a follower and follows the strongest leader there is. Anya suddenly remembering Rolfe looks for him through the crowd. Meanwhile back home Tevye wonders what he did wrong and ask God talking about how he behaved right did what the Torah said and helped Anya raised her as his own and and installed his traditions in her. Back to Anya who has finally reached Rolfe and the German officer suddenly the warmth from Rolfe eyes disappeared replaced with the heartless cold eyes the officer has. The officer noticing the Star of David necklace on Anya’s neck

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