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OCR
CHAPTER FIVE: DATA ANALYSIS The reflections of this participant clearly define the scene as an improvisation. The realisation of not knowing howto deal with the situation as it was happening also points to an experiential mode of ‘being’ in the site. The questions of what is significant relates to values. The state of the child, later described by this participant as “boundary-being”, provokes these uncertainties of values. But it is because of having to the deal with the boundary-being in this specific situation that the knowledge from ‘classic stories’ becomes useless for the participant. She needs to fill the ‘hole in human thinking’ and take action. While having a strong felt memory and a clear analysis of this situation the participant sees themselves as creators of the situation as well. She explains that “The mirror that we placed in the space led to a similar ‘recognition’, but from the other side. Wanda begins to understand that she is a boundary-being, she cannot be categorised, she is an outsider for humans and animals as well”.”” The use of the mirror was a conscious decision by the participants who created the framework for understanding more about this situation for themselves. (Regrettably, I have not received a response or comments from the other participant of this improvisation.) The components that enhanced this mode of engagement of the participants was their ownership of the situation; a clear understanding of the simple space they designed which reflected the clash within the feral child; the awareness and use of the centre of the story; the use of the dramaturgical structures with the aim of creating gaps. This example shows that participants are able to employ structures offered and these can be used in improvisations. Being in the improvisation opened a gap, a space for realisations, for at least one of its participants. Unfortunately, I am unable to extract from the data what impact this improvisation had on those watching, whether it created a rupture for them in the narrative. Also the reflections of the other participant of the improvisation would be needed to be able to definitely label it as a DE. The reflections of one of the participants points to the possibility of a DE. This incident offers a reassuring example that the direction taken presents many possibilities. The wider creation of similar improvisations might be enhanced if responsibilities of participants are broken down better and they do not have too many elements to apply at the same time. The key components in this case were the narrative and a clear understanding of its centre; the challenge the situation imposed on the roles played by participants; the ownership participants had of the situation they improvised in; the conscious use of dramaturgical structures, specifically the use of everyday objects and turning social roles upside down. 717 Ibid. + 222 +
