Millhaven (SUBT)

Summary

The script tells a haunting tale of a small town named Milen, where a 15-year-old girl named Lotta, with green eyes, faces superstition and fear. Accused of being a witch, she endures the town's wrath and is blamed for a series of misfortunes, including a mysterious death. Despite her innocence, she is condemned by the community and the church. The narrative explores themes of innocence, fear, and the power of superstition in a society that seeks to control the unknown.

Takeaways

• 🌆 Milen is described as a small and colorless town where neighbors are distant and events are unsettling.
• 📜 The narrator repeatedly warns about danger, referencing the Bible with reverence.
• 🙋‍♀️ The speaker is a 15-year-old girl named Lotta, who is quiet, shy, and modest despite attention from boys.
• ⚠️ A curse has supposedly descended on the town, tied to a tragedy where a boy drowned with a stone tied to his neck.
• 🐕 The town’s priest became mentally unstable after seeing his dog pinned down and was taken away in a straitjacket.
• 🕵️‍♂️ A mysterious, unresolved murder occurs where a decapitated head is found but the body remains missing.
• 👻 An old woman dies in despair, and soldiers arrive just before her death as she lets out her final breath.
• 👿 Lotta is called the 'spawn of the devil' and blamed for bringing misfortune to the town, though she maintains her innocence.
• 👩‍⚖️ Lotta confesses to drowning a boy and killing another woman, resulting in her being labeled a 'vampire' by the press.
• 💊 Despite her crimes, Lotta is now calm, with medical help and antidepressants like Prozac, and she dreams of recovery.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the script?

The main setting is a small, colorless town called Milen, where the townspeople are cold and reserved towards each other.

Who is the narrator, and what is her background?

The narrator is a 15-year-old girl named Lotta, baptized as Loretta. She is modest, shy, and was raised in a religious household.

What is the significance of the phrase 'You don't know the day or hour, only God knows' in the script?

The phrase is a recurring theme throughout the script, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and death, and the belief that only God has control over such events.

What tragedy occurred in Milen that left a lasting impact on the town?

A curse hung over Milen after a boy drowned with a stone tied to his neck, causing sorrow and despair among the townspeople.

How does the priest's mental breakdown contribute to the overall mood of the story?

The priest's mental breakdown, where he sees his dog crucified, adds to the atmosphere of fear and madness that grips the town.

What does the narrator confess towards the end of the script?

The narrator confesses to drowning a boy named Bilego and implies that she brought misfortune to a local girl, referred to as Panna Colgate.

How does religion influence the narrator’s life and actions?

Religion plays a significant role in the narrator's life. She mentions being raised piously, earning high marks in religion, and often references God and religious judgment.

What is the tone of the narrator’s confession, and how does it reflect her mental state?

The tone of the narrator’s confession is both detached and chilling, reflecting a sense of resignation and detachment from the gravity of her actions, potentially indicating a disturbed mental state.

How do the townspeople react to the strange occurrences in Milen?

The townspeople are frightened and paralyzed by the strange occurrences, such as the priest's madness and unexplained deaths. They isolate themselves in their homes, fearing further danger.

What role does death play in the overall narrative of the script?

Death is a central theme in the narrative, looming over the town of Milen and shaping the behavior of both the narrator and the townspeople. It is portrayed as inevitable, unpredictable, and tied to divine will.