Meaning: This quote by Joe Orton, the renowned English playwright, encapsulates the paradoxical nature of his early life. It provides a glimpse into the unique and somewhat unconventional upbringing that shaped his perspective and artistic sensibilities. To fully understand the quote, it is essential to delve into the context of Orton's life and the societal norms prevalent during his formative years.

Joe Orton was born in 1933 in Leicester, England, and grew up in a working-class environment. His upbringing was marked by several distinctive factors that significantly influenced his worldview. The mention of having an upbringing that "a nun would envy" suggests a strict and sheltered childhood, characterized by a level of discipline and moral guidance typically associated with religious institutions. This juxtaposition of a strict upbringing with the subsequent revelation about being more familiar with Africa than his own body creates a compelling contrast, hinting at a lack of personal exploration and self-awareness during his early years.

The reference to being more familiar with Africa than his own body alludes to a lack of self-discovery and introspection, possibly due to the constraints of his upbringing. It suggests a disconnection from his own physical and emotional experiences, perhaps as a result of the rigid social and moral codes that governed his early life. This lack of self-awareness and introspection may have contributed to a sense of detachment and alienation, which Orton later channeled into his provocative and subversive works as a playwright.

Orton's mention of being familiar with Africa serves as a metaphor for his early exposure to the world outside of conventional societal boundaries. It implies a broader, more expansive understanding of a distant and unfamiliar land, contrasting with the insularity and limitations imposed upon him within his own cultural and personal sphere. This contrast may have fueled Orton's later exploration of themes related to societal norms, repression, and the clash between personal desires and societal expectations in his plays.

The quote also hints at a certain degree of irony and wry humor, characteristic of Orton's writing style. The juxtaposition of the nun's envy-worthy upbringing with the subsequent revelation about Africa and self-awareness is delivered with a sense of wit and subversion, reflecting Orton's penchant for challenging conventional norms and expectations through his work.

In analyzing the quote, it becomes evident that Orton's early experiences and the constraints of his upbringing played a pivotal role in shaping his identity as an artist. The tension between external constraints and internal exploration, as implied by the quote, mirrors the thematic undercurrents present in Orton's plays, which often grapple with societal repression, hypocrisy, and the struggle for authentic self-expression.

Orton's works, including "Entertaining Mr. Sloane" and "What the Butler Saw," are renowned for their dark humor, incisive social commentary, and unapologetic exploration of taboo subjects. The quote provides a poignant glimpse into the formative influences that contributed to Orton's distinctive artistic voice and the thematic preoccupations that permeate his body of work.

In conclusion, Joe Orton's quote offers a tantalizing insight into the complex interplay of influences that shaped his early life and creative trajectory. It serves as a compelling entry point for exploring the connections between personal upbringing, societal constraints, and artistic expression in the context of Orton's provocative and influential body of work.

References:
- Lahr, John. "Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton." Penguin Books, 2000.
- Orton, Joe. "The Complete Plays." Grove Press, 1993.