Thesis statement: In the play “The Blizzard” by David Ives, Neil is a character who is initially detached and unemotional, but he undergoes a significant change by the end of the play as he learns to connect with others and embrace his emotions.

Character analysis of Neil

Neil is a character who is initially detached and unemotional. He is a horror screenwriter who is used to creating stories of violence and death. He is also a bit of a loner, and he doesn’t seem to have any close relationships.

When the play begins, Neil is expecting his brother and sister-in-law to arrive at his cabin for a weekend getaway. However, the blizzard prevents them from making it, and Neil is left alone with his wife, Kate.

At first, Neil tries to maintain his detachment. He tells Kate that he doesn’t mind being alone, and he tries to focus on his work. However, as the blizzard continues, Neil begins to feel increasingly isolated and lonely. He starts to crave human connection, but he doesn’t know how to reach out to Kate.

One night, Neil has a dream in which he is attacked by a bear. In the dream, he is able to fight off the bear, but he is badly injured. When he wakes up, Neil realizes that he has been changed by the dream. He is no longer the detached and unemotional person he was before. He is now more open and vulnerable, and he is able to connect with Kate on a deeper level.

The next day, the blizzard finally ends, and Neil’s brother and sister-in-law arrive at the cabin. Neil is happy to see them, but he is also sad to see them go. He has finally found a sense of connection with others, and he doesn’t want to lose it.

The conflict that Neil encounters

The main conflict that Neil encounters in the play is his own emotional detachment. He is used to creating stories of violence and death, and he has become desensitized to the emotions of others. This detachment prevents him from connecting with Kate on a deeper level, and it also makes him feel isolated and lonely.

How Neil attempts to get his desire

Neil attempts to get his desire for connection by trying to focus on his work. He thinks that if he can just finish his script, he will be able to forget about his loneliness. However, this strategy doesn’t work, and Neil eventually realizes that he needs to connect with others in order to feel fulfilled.

What prevents him from achieving it

What prevents Neil from achieving his desire for connection is his own emotional detachment. He is afraid of being hurt, so he keeps people at a distance. He also doesn’t know how to express his emotions in a healthy way.

Does the character change or grow?

Yes, Neil does change and grow by the end of the play. He learns to connect with others and embrace his emotions. He also learns to let go of his fear of being hurt.

The resolution by the end of the play for this character

By the end of the play, Neil has found a sense of connection with others. He is no longer the detached and unemotional person he was at the beginning of the play. He is now more open and vulnerable, and he is able to express his emotions in a healthy way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Neil is a character who undergoes a significant change by the end of the play. He learns to connect with others and embrace his emotions. This change is a result of the blizzard, which forces Neil to confront his own emotional detachment. By the end of the play, Neil is a more well-rounded and emotionally healthy person.