By Robert Aird
Unpublished text
*****
This skit could equally well be called "the benefits of enlistment. Not that trying to do here over the federal propaganda, although the government could not see What a benefit to convince some reluctant. Gratien Gélinas and its perpetrators merely reflect a reality: the end of unemployment and the substantial increase in income for those who dare to enlist in the army reserve. We are only at the beginning of the war and the government has no intention of mobilizing to send it to the front.
"The Merry Wives of Panet Street" describes a scene Typical street in Montreal were: children playing on the sidewalk and street, and mothers who watch them in their windows open a second floor. It is also an excuse to discuss the rain and fine weather between neighbors. In this case, the transition from a military parade in which the spouse participates Madame Pitre, Joe. Her neighbor Laluette want their new situation, since the latter joined: "I can not say as I find you lucky you have a husband enlisted!" This statement is meant ironically probably at when the dominant discourse remains rather to challenge the recruitment, participation in the war and the threat of conscription. But the fighting is far away. Pitre sees a beautiful distraction, while Ms. Laluette remark: "Well sure, war is not fun for everyone, but ... there are some for whom this is a true blessing! "
In fact, enrolled in question has put an end to five years of unemployment and earn money. War means out of the economic crisis and the deep misery many North Americans. And also the opportunity to laugh ... Laluette remark that it 'stands stiff, eh, since he is in there! ". Ter meet the captain "has more than me around." An additional opportunity to flay the political mores of the time:
laluette
How come Actually, therefore, they accept your husband in the army? P'tits hotpot with you, they take not usual.
[...]
clown
General would not! But I went to see our MP and he did enlist by Jos protection.
laluette
Cre Yabla! You have the "pushing" you!
clown
bin is the least: it's been three elections Jos worked my "steady" for him!
Obviously, there are downsides, the husband is often away from home. But his wife eventually find his account with an implication that would tickle the ears of the modest time:
clown
(eyes vague.) Ben ... in the morning, I would have liked it to have him make a turn ...
laluette
(The round eyes.) Yeah?
clown
I wanted bin ... (She pauses, swallowing his saliva.)
laluette
(Hoping the worst.) ... That what?
clown
(pulling himself together.) lead him come to me my "sink"!
laluette
(Do not let go.) worse at night, you miss?
clown
the evening?
laluette
Yeah ... at night ... evening ...
clown
(Shout to the street.) Arsene s'u the sidewalk! J'te to say more! (To another.) Look at that, Ms. Thing: eight-z'enfants ... Ben! it's a damn good case that the father to bed at night the barracks to a stone.
Here, as usual, Gelinas ends the scene with a comic fall. Thus, there are good sides to this war for the French Canadians, unlike that provides its opponents. In "The Merry Wives of Panet Street" is the voice of the people, humble people that is heard through the actresses that reproduce the same time a scene of everyday urban life. This skit ad somehow the next review of Fridolin, "The Crusade of laughter." Fridolin's laughter is not only a social and political weapon. Its role is also, and perhaps most importantly, the regulator, in that it boosts the morale of the French Canadians during this troubled period.
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