Boundaries of Connection and Distinction: An Outsider’s Maneuvers, Practices, and Tastes in Guare’s “Six Degrees of Separation”

• Main Author: Evrim ERSÖZ KOÇ
• Format: Article
• Language: deu
• Published: Ankara University 2017-01-01
• Series: Ankara Üniversitesi Dil ve Tarih-Coğrafya Fakültesi Dergisi
• Subjects: J. Guare; Six Degrees of Separation; Boundary; Space; Practice; Taste; M. de Certeau; P. Bourdieu
• Online Access: http://dtcfdergisi.ankara.edu.tr/index.php/dtcf/article/view/508

In John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation, the protagonist Paul integrates himself in other people’s lives, using fake identities. The imposter Paul indeed yearns to overcome the boundaries formed by distinct factors such as class, race, and sexual orientation. These boundaries provide a basis for a consideration of the possibility to connect and to transcend markers of social distinction. In order to revive the discussion about the dichotomy between connection and distinction in Guare’s play, this article argues that this dichotomy is based on the depiction of space, spatial maneuvers, practices, and tastes. This study primarily draws attention to the outstanding role of space and spatial maneuvers in the commentary on boundaries through de Certeau’s examination of space, tactics, strategies, and practices and then investigates the determiners of membership through Bourdieu’s scrutiny on habitus, taste, and capital.