PILLARS OF SOCIETY

Submitted by Group 7

Alice Ferail-12PGHR02 Anish Ghosh-11PGHR05 Brijesh Singh-11PGHR14 Ingrid Genet-12PGHR01 Surya Soman Pillai-11PGHR54 Swati Sharma-11PGHR55 Urshila Thacker-11PGHR57 Varun Kansal-11PGHR58

ABSTRACT
The play proves that the bourgeois society is hypocritical and its leaders are often corrupt The society is shown to have high morals & values People are self righteous , hypocritical & narrow minded Women are considered to be second class citizens Karsten Bernick, the pillar of society has build his reputation, position & wealth on a lie In the guise of a new railway project he has bought a fertile valley Will his past ruin his career and reputation? Will he realize his faults and tell the truth to his people?

CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY

Karsten Bernick, a shipbuilder. Mrs. Bernick, his wife. Olaf, their son, thirteen years old. Martha Bernick, Karsten Bernick's sister. Johan Tnnesen, Mrs. Bernick's younger brother. Lona Hessel, Mrs. Bernick's elder half-sister. Hilmar Tnnesen, Mrs. Bernick's cousin. Dina Dorf, a young girl living with the Bernicks. Rrlund, a schoolmaster. Rummel, a merchant. Vigeland and Sandstad, tradesman Krap, Bernick's confidential clerk. Aune, foreman of Bernick's shipbuilding yard. Mrs. Rummel. Hilda Rummel, her daughter. Mrs. Holt. Netta Holt, her daughter. Mrs. Lynge. Townsfolk and visitors, foreign sailors, steamboat passengers, etc.

CHARACTERS IN THE ROLE PLAY

Narrator: Urshila Thacker Karsten Bernick : Brijesh Johan : Anish Ghosh Mrs Bernick : Surya Suman Pillai Lona: Swati Sharma Dina : Alice Ferail Aune : Ingrid Genet Rorlund : Varun Kansal

ACT I: AT BERNICKS HOUSE

Bernick shown as the richest, most powerful and respected citizen of the community The women of high society working for a charitable cause A 15 year old story comes up Johan had a clandestine relationship with an actress (Dinas mother) Johan rumored to steal money from the Bernicks household Johan along with Lona flee to America after the incident and have presently come back

ACT II:
Bernick compels Aune to repair Indian Girl as its to sail in two days A shocking truth is revealed A promise was broken by Johan Johan promises Dina to take her to America More truth is revealed Rorlund tells Dina about Johans apparent truth, infuriating Johan

ACT III
Bernick tyrannizes and bullies his only child as only a despot can to teach him morality Krap tells Bernick that Indian Girl has not been properly repaired and will sink on its way to America Bernick tells Johan of his plan of railway project Johan threatens Bernick of telling the truth to his society A defensive and selfish side of Bernick is shown Bernick gives the green signal for the Indian Girl to set sail despite its condition

ACT IV
Set at the backdrop of a stormy evening Rummmel has set up a procession for Bernick, Bernick to address the crowd to win their support for the railway project Olaf runs away from house and hides himself in Indian Girl Johan and Dina flee to America in Palm Tree Bernick tells the truth to the crowd & his wife Indian Girl is not allowed to set sail Play ends with a happy ending

FOUR RATIONALIZATIONS
Bernick thought the lies were within the limits of ethics : and they were not unethical or immoral The lies were in the best interest of the business and eventually for the entire society The belief that the lies will never haunt him and he will never have to face his past Finally since his empire was beneficial for the entire society; thus it could be condoned and he should be rewarded for it

LEARNING'S FROM THE PLAY

The pillars of society are spirit of truth and spirit of freedom Its never too late to accept your flaws Women along with men are the pillars of society The bureaucratic society is built on lies and deceit

RELEVANCE OF THE PLAY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

In the Indian context:
Politicians build their empires on lies and deceit Businesses men too build organizations on lies Share market highly affected from rumours

In the Foreign Context

Wiki leaks Goldman Sachs case Mark Zuckerberg

ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
People usually take the easier path to success, not realizing the long terms effects of their decisions In order to cover for lies and deceit; they spin a web of more lies Put a mask of high morality and righteousness One tends to become self fish and self centred Eventually will always lead to a downfall

ETHICAL LEADERSHIPS
Ethical principles provide the foundations for various modern concepts for work, business and organisations Leaders have to develop trust with their subordinates Leaders should be authentic

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSIONS

How does one balance the duty to maximise the return to shareholders with that owed in respect of the remuneration and welfare of employees?

How does one balance the duty to safeguard jobs with the duty to bear the additional costs of protecting the environment?

THANK YOU