The Laramie Project Analysis

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The Laramie Project, by Moisés Kaufman, not only investigates the events that lead to the tragic death of Matthew Shepard, but also gives the residents of the small town of Laramie, Wyoming and our country, a look inside themselves. The play insightfully twists fact with opinion to create a more dramatic story than the heartbreaking murder alone. Matthew, a twenty-one year old, gay student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally beaten and left to die, tied to a fence near what is thought to be a very peaceful town. While it's true that only two vicious attackers were punished for this hate crime, as the story unfolds, it is revealed that the town's attitudes and philosophies may have also had a hand in this incident.
As we are introduced …show more content…
The idea of “live and let live” assumes acceptance and tolerance of each other’s differences. A somewhat ironic philosophy considering this hate crime, that shook the nation, happened there. The audience starts to question what type of town Laramie really is. Kaufman wants the people of Laramie to reflect on their true beliefs as well as make the audience consider their own feelings. Of course, people are upset about the senseless death of Matthew Shepard, but Kaufman wants to uncover the flaws that exist in Laramie and use them to shed light on the larger issue facing the …show more content…
Kaufman examines how this hatred was taught and woven into the fabric of the lives of the citizens of Laramie. The people of Laramie are surprised themselves that this horrific event took place in their town. They say “it’s not that kind of place” but regrettably it turns out to be the kind of place where they have learned to hate and fear people who are different. It’s taught at home, in church, at school and often passed from generation to generation. All the while, hiding behind that idea they really believe they are accepting, tolerant and kind. Kaufman tries to show that not everyone is in denial when he adds Father Roger Schmit’s comments to the play, “You think violence is what they did to Matthew-they did do violence to Matthew-but you know, every time that you are called a fag, or you are called, you know, a lez or whatever...That is the seed of violence.”(Act 2, page
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