Key Themes in the Nutcracker

Key Themes in the Nutcracker

1. Sexuality

   • The Marshmallow girls dance very flirtatiously, especially in the presence of men
   • Each of the different types of characters represent a type of love
     • The Nutcracker being the form of true love
   • The Knickerbocker glory man's mannerisms and dance style becomes a lot more flirtatious and sensual when women are near him
     • This is very clear in the encounter he has with Clara at the entrance to Sweetieland

2. Dreams

   • In Matthew Bourne's rendition of the Nutcracker, Clara dreams about a world a million miles away from the orphanage in which she lived
     • In Hoffman's version of the Nutcracker, you are lead to believe that these dreams actually turn out to be reality
   • The orphans received Christmas presents this year due to the governors visit
     • The dream of having a joyful Christmas was removed when the governors left
       • This is due to Dr. Dross and Matron taking the gifts and locking them in the cupboard

3. Adventure

   • Clara leaves the safety of the orphanage and explores two new, different worlds
     • These two lands were the Frozen Lake and Sweetieland
     • Here, she meets characters she could have only dream of in the normal world
   • The Nutcracker breaks the orphanage walls in order to let Clara and the orphans escape leading Clara to new worlds

4. First Love

   • In all versions of the Nutcracker, Clara falls in love
     • In Matthew Bourne's version, Clara falls in love with the boy Nutcracker
   • Originally, the toy that Clara receives is a toy Nutcracker solider
     • Some of the other orphans make fun of her for it and even rip the arms off the toy
     • This toy then turns into a life size puppet and then removes his mask to reveal a human young man
       • The life size puppet helps the orphans escape
       • Him and Clara go together into the Frozen Lake together before Princess Sugar takes Nutcracker for herself
         • With the help of the twin Cupids, Clara enters Sweetieland in order to follow Nutcracker
           • After many failed attempts, Clara and Nutcracker reunite back in the orphanage where they escape together

5. Growing Up

   • Clara is forced to grow up when she is deserted by the Nutcracker
     • She is befriended by two cupids who aid her
       • However, she is the only one who can make things happen
       • They gave her a new dress while she is searching for the Nutcracker
         • The dress helped her gain confidence and independance

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