Doris in Alan Bennett's A Cream Cracker Under the Settee In play 'A Cream Cracker Under the Settee' Alan Bennett uses many techniques and dramatic devices to make his script seem real, believable, and also enjoyable. I am going to study the statement, 'Doris is just a moaning old woman.' I will then investigate and explore how Bennett manages to maintain our sympathy for the lead protagonist in the script, Doris. I will cover many points such as Doris' relationships, the use of the cameras, lighting, music and other significant techniques he uses to gain his audiences interest and to uphold their sympathy for Doris. Firstly, one of the main things Bennett does that creates sympathy is that he …show more content…
She is a stereotypical old person. We find out many sad things about Doris the first being that her long term partner, soul-mate and husband Wilfred died quite a few years ago, therefore she is a widow; 'Well he's got a minute now bless him.' We feel sorry for Doris after finding out about Wilfred, however later in the script we are then told about another major tragedy that's happened to Doris in her past, which further adds to our sympathy for her. This being that her only child, John, died at birth. For any person this totally devastating and the way in which Doris delivers this scene and also the way in which the camera is used makes us completely empathise with Doris at this point. Doris talks a lot about the preparations she made for the arrival of her child and this creates a real sorrow, 'This is where we had the pram.' The audience are helpless as all they can do is feel sad for Doris. As the play progresses we realise that whenever the subject of John arises Doris does one of two important things. Firstly there is a use of …show more content…
The beat and resonance of the music is very slow and soothing. It immediately sets up a sad mood. The music also manages to create a lonely and sympathetic atmosphere, which carries on throughout the play. The music only plays at significant times in the monologue as the tone of music needs to fit the mood and subject of which Doris is talking about at that moment, i.e. when Doris reminisces on the good times the music becomes lighter; but when she talks about the death of John the pace of the music slows and becomes duller. The use of music alone can form an overwhelming sympathy if appropriately used. The second dramatic device in the play is lighting. The play begins in broad daylight and eventually ends in total darkness. The light gradually gets darker as Doris deteriorates more and this creates grief. The darkness at the very end implies the end of her life. The lighting along with the music becomes dim and depressing when Doris reminisces because they also need to reflect her mood. There is also a great use of blackouts in the play. The blackouts represent a
To an extent, the characters in the play represent aspects of the Australian identity and experience. However, Rayson's vivid grasp of speech patterns to evoke character, and her ability to manipulate the audience with humour and pathos move the text beyond mere polemic and stereotype. In an almost Brechtian way, she positions us to analyse as we are entertained and moved.
... to those viewing the performance. The audience must focus their attention of the happenings and the words being portrayed on stage or screen or they will easily miss the double meaning Stoppard intended in each scene of the play. The human motivation is inseparably connected with the theme of life and death that runs through the play, for it is as the two are about to die that they observe that maybe they could have made a different decision, one that would let them remain alive and free they only missed their opportunity to make that choice. Stoppard wanted his play to express more meaning and different messages to his audience but he desired for them to search the play and pay close attention to the different meanings present so they could gain the most possible from the play and those who did not understand would walk away not understanding how much they missed.
The music makes the audience drawn to feel sympathy and pity when she is preaching her views on death. For instance, a solemn melody is played when Haemon’s corpse is brought to King Creon. Creon grieves by himself as he is overcome with devastation caused by his foolish actions; his emotions are intensified by the sorrowful and sombre background music. The music is able to complement the play, while accentuating the more significant events. The design of the set is the most essential element of the production because it serves as the backdrop for the entire play.
the main theme of the play. With out this scene in the play I don’t
Every time the family comes to a confrontation someone retreats to the past and reflects on life as it was back then, not dealing with life as it is for them today. Tom, assuming the macho role of the man of the house, babies and shelters Laura from the outside world. His mother reminds him that he is to feel a responsibility for his sister. He carries this burden throughout the play. His mother knows if it were not for his sisters needs he would have been long gone. Laura must pickup on some of this, she is so sensitive she must sense Toms feeling of being trapped. Tom dreams of going away to learn of the world, Laura is aware of this and she is frightened of what may become of them if he were to leave.
The pointedness of the play is created through a distinct plot path. The observer is lead through the story, seeing first how greatly Amanda Wingfield influences her children. Secondly, the play-goer notes how Tom Wingfield desperately struggles and writhes emotionally in his role of provider- he wants more than just to be at home, taking care of his all-too-reminiscent mother and emotionally stunted sister. Tom wants to get out from under his mother’s wing; his distinct ambitions prevent him from being comfortable with his station in life. Lastly, Laura struggles inside herself; doing battle against her shyness, Laura begins to unfurl a bit with Jim, but collapses once again after Jim announces his engagement and leaves her, again. Each character struggles and thrashes against their places in life, but none of them achieve true freedom. This plot attests to the fact that true change and freedom can only come through the saving power of God Almighty and Jesus Christ, and by letting go of the past.
The theme of the play has to do with the way that life is an endless cycle. You're born, you have some happy times, you have some bad times, and then you die. As the years pass by, everything seems to change. But all in all there is little change. The sun always rises in the early morning, and sets in the evening. The seasons always rotate like they always have. The birds are always chirping. And there is always somebody that has life a little bit worse than your own.
...provide the hope in the play that the younger generation will carry on the future responsibly. Sheila and Eric are better than their parents, who are too set in their ways.
plot of the play. After all, in Act Four we not only have the lovers
...re are ingrained class barriers, that when crossed, have dire consequences. This theme is developed throughout the play and is clearly shown through Jean and Julie’s actions. Julie and Jean are in their distinct social classes, which they attempt to stay in. However, through Julie’s relationship with Jean, she jumps down social classes and breaks the class barrier. Because of this jump, Julie is mentally unable to cope with the ridicule and torment that she must face. She states that “I’m [Julie] worthless. But help me! If you see any way out at all, help me, Jean, please!” This make it clear that Julie is desperately looking for something to make up for crossing the class barrier, showing that she can not handle the physical and mental consequences of her actions. Such inability to cope eventually leads Julie to commit suicide—the final consequence for her actions.
. . I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart.” This quote shows that act two, scene four fits into the structure and theme of the play because Anne shows Peter that there is hope. Past everything that the Van Daans, Franks, and Dussel have been through Anne believes that the holocaust will pass. Anne keeps the hope alive through the families and gives them a reason to survive. During this part of the scene, Natzi’s are heard shouting up the stairs, Anne’s family gathers their things and prepares to be taken away to concentration camps. For example, In the play the stage direction shows, “Anne stands, holding her school satchel, looking over at her father and mother with a soft, reassuring smile. She is no longer a child, but a woman with courage to meet whatever lies ahead.” This quote fits into the overall structure and theme of the play because when Anne knew she was going to be taken away from her family, she gave her family hope by smiling, reassuring the Franks everything was going to be ok. In Anne’s last moments of the play she was ready to face the world, no matter the harsh treatment because she had
changing attitudes toward life and the other characters in the play, particularly the women; and his reflection on the
...t of grief and politeness at death, but still, the irony remains. Hamlet ruins his cover and cries about how much he had loved her, yet if he had loved her so much in life why did he treat her so badly? All of the characters seem to twinge with guilt at this untimely death, as though they know that they had been responsible for this tragedy in part.
At the very beginning of the play we find out what Helen does for a
One could make the argument that the tragedy of the play occurs because of the adults. Moritz commits suicide only after his father disowns him for failing in school. Wendla dies at the hand of an abortionist only after her mother forces her to get an abortion for fear of what people would th...