The Play Proof by David Auburn

Table of Contents

Prove that irony exists in the play
Prove that Claire is a fixer
Prove that the play is about betrayal
Prove that the play is sexist
Prove that Catherine loves her father
References

Prove that irony exists in the play

In the play Proof by David Auburn, events unravel in the house of a mathematical genius Robert, who has been suffering from mental illness. His daughter Catherine is living with him in order to take care of. The first element of irony is presented in the very beginning. Readers do not know the fact that Robert is already dead, and the whole dialogue between him and Catherine regarding her birthday is a part of Catherines delusion. Secondly, the way Roberts work in his latest year is presented ambiguously by different characters. When Hal, one of Roberts students, find a notebook with very important mathematical proof, he is excited with the idea that while everyone thought he [Robert] was crazy& or barely functioning& he was doing some of the most important mathematics in the world. (Auburn, 2001). Catherine claims that she wrote this proof and in Catherines flashback, readers are presented with a situation, where Robert is delusional and wrote nonsensical rambling paragraphs equating cold, winter, and books. Finally, the irony is in dialogues. When Claire persuades Catherine to move to New York and tells her about all the opportunities there, Catherine responds about an expensive Freudian psychiatrist, who will listen to her as she blames all of her problems on Claire, which is ironic (Auburn, 2001). Therefore, the novel contains elements of irony in both, the plot and the dialogues.

Prove that Claire is a fixer

In the novel Proof, written by David Auburn, Claire is the older daughter of delusional mathematical genius Robert. Claire is a fixer of her fathers and her younger sister Catherines lives in many details. First of all, the reason she moved to New York and did not help Catherine to take care of their father is that she worked in order to pay for the house they were living in and for Catherines education. Secondly, Claire cares for her sister and wants her well, which can be seen when she suggests Catherine flirt with Hal. Although Catherine refuses at first, but later in the novel Hal and Catherine kiss, resolving the affection towards each other (Auburn, 2001). Finally, Claire is concerned with Catherines mental state and takes her to New York to take care of her. Hence, Claire is one of the most responsible characters in the novel as she helps all of the other characters in their lives.

Prove that the play is about betrayal

The novel Proof by David Auburn is based around mathematical proof that was found in possession of a delusional mathematical geniuss daughter Catherine. She claims to have written it herself, hence, betraying a part of her fathers legacy. Catherine might have inherited her fathers mathematical abilities as well as his delusion, hence her sister Claire and friend Hal betray her by not believing her claims of authorship. Finally, the theme of betrayal can be seen in the relationships between sisters Claire and Catherine. Claire left her mentally ill father with her younger sister Catherine and moved to New York (Auburn, 2001). When she comes back, she wants to sell the house immediately after the funeral. Therefore, the theme of betrayal is one of the central ones in this play.

Prove that the play is sexist

The issue of gender and sexism is one of the central topics. Catherine is a younger daughter of a mathematical genius Robert in the novel Proof by David Auburn. She doubts her mathematical abilities and one of the reasons for that is her being a woman. This can be seen in correspondence when she uses a mans name to talk about mathematical problems. Secondly, at first, nobody believes that Catherine was capable of writing the proof that Hal found, implying that it was her father. Finally, Hal was upset that he is not at his prime because mathematics is a young mans game, which is ironic but also sexist as he tells it to Catherine (Auburn, 2001). Therefore, the play contains themes of sexism in its narrative.

Prove that Catherine loves her father

David Auburn, the author of the novel Proof created in his work Catherines father Robert as a mentally unstable mathematician who wrote some significant works when he was young. Later in life, he became delusional, so Catherine was taking care of him for at least four years. This fact alone is proof of the daughters love. However, there are instances where children do this out of duty, not out of love. Her love is expressed in reminiscent dialogues, where the father is presented as a loving and caring figure, for example in the opening dialogue about the birthday. Finally, her caring and loving attitude towards her father is seen in a flashback, where Robert forgot about her birthday, but she was not offended and forgave him. Then, when he remembered, he offered her dinner and wrote about a good day, which was the result of Catherines care about him (Auburn, 2001). Therefore, Catherine is a loving daughter, who stayed loyal and devoted to her father in his times of trouble and mental instability.