great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

Julia:“ I grow dizzy when I look down, but down I must. But I’m not brave enough to throw myself; I cannot hold fast and I long to fall–but I don’t fall.” (9)

Jean:“It is horrible! But there is no other way. Go! [Countess Julie goes out resolutely.]” (34)

Throughout the play of Miss Julie one theme is clearly evident and that is identity.  Throughout the entire play both Julia and jean struggle to find their true selves. In these two quotes Steinberg reinforces that Julia is incapable of making her own decisions. In the first quote by Julia we see that Julia is incapable of making any decisions for herself.  She longs to fall but cannot bring herself to commit this action because she in incapable of doing so. Julia caught between her mother’s emotions and her father thoughts see herself as half woman, half men. Truly Julia is a woman but she depicts herself as this because her identity consists of both her mother and father and none of her own thoughts or emotions. This is why Julia cannot fall without assistance because she lacks an identity to call the shots for herself. This brings us into the second quote by jean as Julia is incapable of leaving the manor- unable to throw her, and so Jean must take the authority as the count and send Julia away putting an end to her misery.  Julia caught between her mother and father- half man and women, cannot come to leave the manor on her own thus jean, makes the decision for her and is the one to execute her.