The Moral Occult

Peter Brook's The Melodramatic Imagination, discusses melodrama and draws in useful references from various works. Perhaps the most interesting component he explains about melodrama is the "moral occult" or "...the domain of operative spiritual values which is both indicated within and masked by the surface of reality" (p. 5). In other words, the "moral occult" is best defined as contemplating between what's right and wrong or good and evil, however, this doesn't apply to just any topic. The "moral occult" pertains to what an individual perceives as what's morally right. Brook explains, "It bears comparison to unconscious mind, for it is a sphere of being where our most basic desires and interdictions lie..." (p. 5). It differentiates between what one wants and what prevents us from obtaining those desires.This is relevant to All that Heaven Allows that we discussed in class. Cary's "basic desire" is to marry Ron and live a low profile and simplistic life, however, it becomes near impossible because their relationship is not accepted by societal standards due to the difference in their social classes. Her children and the rest of the wealthy community view Ron as an inferior in Cary's life and now Cary must contemplate between choosing love and happiness (the good/what's right) or abiding to societal norms and living the rest of her life lonely and unhappy (the evil/what's wrong).