Symbol of a Plane
In 11 September 2001 the planes are a very important symbol and can be found throughout the play because they were the vehicles used by the hijackers to commit the atrocities of that day. American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93 are all examples of this symbol. They represent the idea of vulnerability and weakness not only in the play but also in American history, as the terrorists were able to board and take over these planes. It showed vulnerability on part of both the federal government and the Federal Aviation Administration. We, as nation, would go on to learn from that weakness to strengthen security checkpoints and searches at airports and aboard planes to limit that vulnerability and weakness.
Motif of Loss
An recurring theme found in Michel Vinaver's play was the motif of loss. This fateful day was characterized by loss. The loss of fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and more. The loss of colleagues in the offices where the hijacked planes struck. The loss of first responders such as paramedics, military officers, policemen, and firefighters. The loss of friends and the people we know. These terrorist attacks created a gaping hole in the American heart when we lost 2,753 people that day and many more who were seriously injured. As a result, this motif of loss is also present in the play when characters who the audience have grown attached to are killed, something we can feel deep to our core. Loss was a motif found in the play because it reflected one of the strongest sentiments felt on 9-11-2001.
Symbol of Fire
Fire is a strange symbol that is dispersed in various sections of this piece of theatre. The most immediate area where fire can be found is after the hijacked planes crashed into the North and South Tower of the World Trade Center. The high-speed collision along with the thousands of gallons of fuel resulted in huge firestorms that would eventually weaken the buildings and cause them to fall. From that it is clear that fire is representative of chaos. It is untamed and wild, burning and destroying everything that comes within reach, creating chaos. And seeing these fires ravaging the North and South Tower must have been a sight as chaotic as any. Another significant location where the symbol of fire can be found is when Dorene saw a woman in her office who was completely on fire. This situation is startling and completely out of the ordinary, once more representing the chaos that fire is.
Motif of Perseverance
The motif of perseverance and human determination can be found over-aching through the terrible events of 9/11. Despite all that was happening, it was evident that some individuals were not ready to give up the fight so easy. This motif of perseverance is clearly seen in Flight 93. The crew and passengers of this flight had talked to people they loved and had found out that the other hijacked planes had been used to commit atrocities against the United States and her people. Instead of allowing this to happen, the people on board that flight agreed to fight against the terrorists and give up their lives to save what could've been many more innocent people dead. These people persevered and were able to stop the terrorists from reaching their location, giving their lives to do so. They are now memorialized at various locations that remember their perseverance.
Symbol of the Office Building
The symbol of the office building is extremely important in 11 September 2001 because it a symbol of normalcy. When we think of the idea of offices, what comes to mind is a simple, regular day. People are going about their work and performing the duties of their occupation. This is the same idea prevalent in the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. However, when the planes crashed into the buildings and the people inside were killed and injured, it represented the exact opposite of what the office symbolized. This extreme contrast between the office, a symbol of normalcy, and the terrorist attacks, the antithesis of normalcy, is what creates such a shocking, terrifying, and dramatic scene.
