The Never-Never Nest
- Cedric Mount
Summary
Jack and Jill are a couple living in their new villa
at New Hampstead. One day, Aunt Jane visits their new home. She's pleased to
see that they have essential amenities like a car, furniture, a radiogram, a
piano, and a refrigerator. However, Aunt Jane is initially worried that she had
mistakenly given them two thousand pounds instead of two hundred. Jill
reassures her that it was only two hundred pounds.
Aunt Jane had assumed they were renting the house, but
Jack clarifies that it's theirs. Jill explains that they bought it through
installments. Intrigued, Aunt Jane wonders why they chose installments. Jack
explains that paying rent is often more expensive in the long run. They were
able to purchase the house with an initial payment of just ten pounds.
Similarly, they bought the car with a five-pound down
payment and are now paying installments for the remaining cost. They currently
own one tire, the steering wheel, and two cylinders of the car. Other amenities
were also purchased through installments.
Aunt Jane realizes that their installment payments
significantly exceed Jack's weekly income of eight pounds. He has to pay seven
pounds and eight shillings and eight pence weekly to cover these expenses. Jack
mentions that they can borrow money from the Thrift and Providence Trust
Corporation to meet their obligations. Aunt Jane is shocked by their reliance
on credit, as she has always preferred to pay for things upfront.
Aunt Jane advises Jack and Jill to adopt her
"cash down" principle, as she understands the pitfalls of the
hire-purchase system. She knows that this system can keep people in debt for a
long time. However, Jack and Jill prioritize immediate gratification and a
luxurious lifestyle, making them susceptible to the allure of hire purchase.
Before leaving, Aunt Jane gives them a ten-pound
check. While Jack sees this as an opportunity to pay two months' car
installment, Jill, unbeknownst to him, has already mailed the check to Dr.
Martin. When Jack discovers this, he becomes upset. Jill tearfully explains
that they're one installment away from fully owning their baby, making it the
only thing truly theirs.
Analysis
Cedric Mount's "The Never Never Nest" is a
satirical one-act play that humorously critiques the consumerist culture and
the pitfalls of the hire-purchase system. The play centers around a young
couple, Jack and Jill, who have embraced the "buy now, pay later"
mentality to furnish their home with various luxuries, from a radiogram to a
car.
The title itself, "The Never Never Nest," is
significant. The repetition of "never" emphasizes the couple's
inability to truly own their possessions due to the ongoing debt. While a nest
traditionally symbolizes security and stability, the "never-never"
aspect highlights the instability and impermanence of their lifestyle.
The play's humor derives from the couple's
obliviousness to their financial predicament. They revel in their material
possessions, believing they have achieved a comfortable and modern lifestyle.
However, the constant stream of installment payments threatens to overwhelm
them, exposing the hollowness of their materialistic pursuits.
Through its witty dialogue and satirical tone,
"The Never Never Nest" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers
of excessive consumerism. It highlights the importance of financial
responsibility and the need to prioritize genuine happiness over material
possessions. The play's enduring relevance lies in its ability to resonate with
contemporary audiences, who continue to grapple with the allure of instant
gratification and the burden of debt.
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