The Significance of Lullabies in "Satellites" Anonymous College

Satellites, a 2008 play by Diana Son, examines the lives and relationships of Miles and Nina, a couple who struggle to connect with each other, with their friends, and with their new baby girl Hannah. This tension is developed in a myriad of ways, ranging from open discussion to subtle signals within the stage directions for the players. The most interesting way in which Son captures these tensions is through the lullabies which Miles and Nina attempt to sing to their daughter. Of these, the most prevalent and meaningful is “Hush little baby.” The inclusion of this song at both the very beginning and the very end of the play provides insight into the social and personal tensions in their relationship, as well as how these tensions are addressed by the final scene.

The disconnect between Miles and Nina regarding their daughter is made clear through their disagreement on the phrase “if that” and “when that mockingbird won’t sing,” (page 8). This lullaby is centered around a father essentially being capable of providing material objects for his child, so capable that replacing these with increasingly expensive items is not a struggle. This reflects the emasculation which Miles feels as a result of the loss of his job – he is...