Detroit

I think that in Detroit by Lisa D’Amour, the overall tone is set by the intimacy the reader has in the lives of the characters. Throughout the play, they are constantly revealing surprising and vulnerable details of their past. What seems like an average couple quickly becomes a quirky couple to say the least.

When the big bomb is dropped, that Ben hasn’t really been building a website, it is a reality check of sorts. The entire play is filled with these reality checks, big and small, and the reactions of those who experience them.

I think that she chose to name the play Detroit because of two reasons. The first is because it is a metropolitan city that people have heard of, which gives it a generic, relatable quality. However, another thing that the name Detroit carries with it is a certain reputation. The city is known for its poverty and crime rates. This can create and uneasy air and the feeling of suspense. It goes to show that everyone is not who you think they are.