An Analysis Of Katurian Pulls The Hood On Tupolski

1. Why is the play sequenced in this order? How does the structure of the dramatic action inform the total meaning of the play?

This play was sequenced in this specific order to allow the audience to have breaks. For example, Act 1 Scene 1 becomes very taxing and hard to get through because of the constant tempo/rhythm of questioning and the gradual progression of pace. To break the tempo/rhythm and let the audience settle back a bit, McDonagh puts in one of Katurian’s stories. These stories become very important to knowing and understanding where these two brothers come from and the background behind their decisions. The stories are placed in very specific sections throughout the play to allow the audience to take a step into Katurian’s mind

Climax?

KATURIAN. (Pause.) Yes. “Was” being the operative word. (Katurian pulls the hood on. Tupolski takes aim.) (McDonagh 67)

What happens to the Protagonist and how does that inform the polar attitude switch/reversal? What must be communicated to the audience?

In this moment, Katurian’s life story comes to an end and these are his last words. He has accomplished and taken what he wants from life and how has come to the point where he is content with facing death. It is in this moment that Katurian goes from submissive to independent. Through this climax, the audience is able to see that in his final moments of life, Katurian is not only able to admit to himself, but also to the world that he was truly a “good writer” (McDonagh 67).

a The interrogation room is dimly lit by overhead stage lighting, but the the main source of light comes from the bright florescent light bulb that is tightly screwed into the black interrogation lamp. The lamp sits center stage on a long medal table with four metal chairs (2 on each of the longer sides). Just down stage of the table, Katurian with a black bag in his right hand is down on his knees. Upstage right of the table sits Ariel still holding tight to Katurian’s stories. Downstage left is Tupolski with both hands clutching a black handgun pointed toward Katurian’s head. Katurian is promised a ten second count down and through his final breaths announces his final words. He then takes a deep inhale and confidently places the bag over his head. We hear Tupolski cock the gun and the countdown