Report on “Tom at the Farm” and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction and Thematic Overview

This report analyzes the theatrical production of “Tom at the Farm,” originally by Michel Marc Bouchard and presented by Cena Brasil Internacional. The production serves as a powerful case study for examining critical social issues through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The narrative follows the protagonist, Tom, as he confronts a hostile and intolerant environment while grieving the death of his partner in a rural community. The family of the deceased is unaware of his sexuality, creating a core conflict that highlights profound social failures related to equality, justice, and well-being.

Analysis of Key Themes in Relation to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Social and Cultural Exclusion

• The central conflict is rooted in inequality based on sexual orientation, a direct challenge to the principles of SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries.
• Tom’s inability to express his grief is a direct consequence of prejudice, illustrating the emotional and psychological burdens imposed by social exclusion.
• The character of Francis, the deceased’s brother, embodies the violent enforcement of discriminatory norms, actively working against the goal of social and political inclusion for all (Target 10.2).

Geographic and Systemic Disparities

• The production’s relocation to Bolsonaro’s Brazil explicitly connects the narrative to real-world contexts of systemic inequality, referencing the nation’s high rate of violent deaths among LGBTQ+ people.
• This setting underscores the urgency of Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.”

Intersection with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Breakdown of Peace and Personal Security

• The play depicts a micro-society devoid of peace, where physical menace and psychological intimidation supplant justice and understanding. This directly contravenes the aim of SDG 16 to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies.”
• Francis’s character functions as an agent of injustice, perpetuating a cycle of violence and fear that fundamentally undermines personal security and access to justice for individuals like Tom.

Cultural Stagnation as a Barrier to Inclusive Societies

• The farm is portrayed as a “cultural dead end,” a powerful metaphor for a society where progress toward inclusivity is extinguished. This stagnation is a significant barrier to achieving the peaceful and just societies envisioned by SDG 16.
• The narrative’s conclusion on “the death of hope” illustrates the broader societal decay that occurs when institutions and communities fail to protect vulnerable populations and uphold human rights.

Further SDG Linkages: Health, Well-being, and Gender Equality

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The intense psychological distress inflicted upon the protagonist, including suppressed grief, fear, and symptoms of Stockholm syndrome, highlights the severe negative impact of discrimination on mental health and well-being, a key concern of SDG 3.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The antagonist’s “macho intolerance” is a clear manifestation of harmful patriarchal norms and rigid gender roles that SDG 5 seeks to dismantle.
• The violence and intimidation directed at Tom can be classified as a form of gender-based violence, rooted in the rejection of identities and relationships that challenge traditional norms.

Production Elements as a Medium for SDG Messaging

Staging and Atmosphere

1. The desolate, mud-covered stage design visually represents a society mired in prejudice and stagnation, reflecting the barriers to sustainable development.
2. The lighting design isolates characters, emphasizing their social exclusion and loneliness, which are direct consequences of the inequalities addressed in SDG 10.
3. The direction emphasizes a “fierce physical awkwardness,” translating the abstract concept of social intolerance into a tangible experience, making the call for peace and inclusion (SDG 16) more urgent.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, a review of the play “Tom at the Farm,” highlights several social issues that directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. The central theme of the play is the discrimination and social exclusion faced by Tom because of his sexual orientation. The narrative revolves around his inability to openly grieve his deceased boyfriend due to the intolerance of the bereaved family, which is a clear manifestation of inequality.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The article explicitly connects the play’s themes to real-world violence. It mentions the “menace of Francis,” his “macho intolerance,” and relocates the play’s setting to “Bolsonaro’s Brazil, the country reported to have the world’s highest rate of violent deaths of LGBTQ+ people.” This directly addresses the goal of reducing violence and promoting inclusive societies.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality. The antagonist, Francis, is described as an “unreconstructed symbol of macho intolerance.” This form of toxic masculinity and the resulting intolerance towards non-conforming identities are deeply rooted in harmful gender stereotypes and patriarchal norms, which SDG 5 aims to dismantle.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article illustrates the opposite of this target. Tom is socially excluded and cannot “give voice to his true emotions” due to his sexuality (“other status”), highlighting a lack of inclusion.
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices…” The “macho intolerance” of Francis and his determination to enforce ignorance represent discriminatory practices that deny Tom the equal opportunity to be recognized as the grieving partner.
2. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article makes a direct and powerful connection to this target by stating that the play’s setting is relocated to Brazil, which has the “world’s highest rate of violent deaths of LGBTQ+ people.”
   • Target 16.b: “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The play’s environment, described as a “reactionary backwater” and a “cultural dead end” where Francis’s menace goes unchecked, exemplifies a setting devoid of protection and non-discriminatory policies.
3. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.1: “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.” While the character is male, the discrimination he faces stems from “macho intolerance,” a patriarchal construct that is a root cause of gender-based discrimination affecting all non-conforming identities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions one explicit indicator and implies another:

• Explicit Indicator: For Target 16.1, the article provides a direct indicator used for measurement: the “rate of violent deaths of LGBTQ+ people.” It uses this data point to contextualize the play’s themes of violence and intolerance by citing Brazil’s high rate.
• Implied Indicator: For Target 10.2, the entire plot of the play serves as a qualitative illustration of the prevalence of discrimination and social exclusion based on sexual orientation. Tom being forced into silence and the denial of his relationship are narrative examples of this indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com