The Explorer Critique

The piece’s form is a case file for a psychiatric patient. The patient is obviously Dora the Explorer, or a child projecting herself to be Dora. The description could use some more clinical-ized examinations, rather than bunching them all up at the end. There could be some skepticism implied, such as using phrases like “as she calls them” and quotation marks around “friends”. There could be some more misunderstanding implied, such as “enjoys cowboy cookies: it  is not known whether this name is due to the shape or the ingredients of these ‘cookies.’” There should be more use of present tense. The lack of interest in her younger siblings could indicate some jealousy, as it is normal for older children to be displaced when younger children are born, yet this is not discussed. I think the “audience of children” doesn’t seem like something she would recognize, along with other things, like the iguana’s crush on the monkey. I think there should be more of a 5 year old’s perspective on things.  I am curious about how the patient got admitted to the clinic, whether she fought, and more about how she reacts to certain treatments. I almost want to see this as a “released” file, where we see her reactions to the treatment upon release. The doctors see her interact with other adults, but have they seen her interact with children outside her family? Does she try to explain things to them against their will?