That Voice

Being a playwright/author has made me think a lot about monologues -- mostly in plays but also in books. My latest book is more or less one long monologue--and to me, the most important part of any monologue is the voice. 

What does that mean, exactly? I think it's about inviting readers into the world of the author -- and making the voice you hear when you open the door as unforgettable as possible.

In plays and movies, that voice tends to be a monologue. A good one will take hold of you right away and refuse to let go. So for fun, today, I thought I'd choose my favorite monologue -- and invite you to do the same.

It's spoken by the flawless Robert Shaw as the character of Quint in Jaws, as he talks about being on the U. S. S. Indianapolis. After delivering the Hiroshima Bomb, the ship was attacked by Japanese torpedoes.

The monologue comes on the heels of Quint and his two companions on a boat, joking and laughing. When Quint begins talking about the Indianapolis, the air changes and the other men listen silently. He descends slowly into his memory of the men on the boat being forced into shark-filled waters during WWII. Their mission to deliver the Bomb to be dropped on Hiroshima was so secret, no one was sent to help them when their ship was hit by a torpedo.

Quint's words tunnel into our heads as we watch him recall what it meant to wait for the jaws of a shark to close around him. He finds a friend's body gone below the waist, and continues to describe the "doll's eyes" of the shark until the grip of its teeth caused the eyes to roll. Quint ends the monologue by saying, "Anyway. We delivered the Bomb."

This isn't about Quint telling us what we should think of his character. It's showing us who he is through the language--using his voice to evoke the emotions that drive him. 

My other favorite speech is actually plural, including dialogues AND monologues in the recent series Midnight Mass. There was so much about this series that captivated me, and though I loved Erin's speech about God, I can't choose only one piece. 

What do you think? Do you have a favorite monologue?

Meanwhile, yes, I did say "my latest book" when I started this post. More to come next week.

😊 

Shark photo: Michael Ravodin