Studying Drama

Today’s Lesson:

We will focus on:

1. What makes a drama.2. Summary of the play (Acts1-4).3. Breakdown of the techniques used

When you complete an essay question on the Drama Section, you will focus on the following techniques:

1.Plot2.Characterisation3.Conflict4.Key scene(s)5.Climax6.themes

Act OneWe meet Maggie Hobson, her sisters

Vickey and Alice, Hobson, Will Mossop and Fred and Albert.

The action takes place in Hobson’s cobbler shop.

Hobson dislikes the “uppishness” of his daughters.

Maggie decides to marry Will Mossop and open a different cobbler shop.

Act TwoMaggie has started her own business

with Will and this has taken all her father’s clients from him.

Hobson has a an accident a result of drinking.

Consider the change in Will’s attitude towards Maggie at the end of the act.

Act Three Maggie marries Will Mossop Her sisters are engaged to Freddie and Albert. Hobson visits Maggie. It becomes clear that Hobson is in trouble and

will be charged for trespass. He is then forced to give his fine to his daughters

for their marriages. Will is being educated by Maggie. It is clear in this act that Will is still scared of

Maggie.

Act 4 A doctor is called to see Hobson who is

depressed. It becomes clear that he is lonely and the

alcohol is affecting him. Maggie is called and she decides that she

and Will will move in and take over the cobbler business.

Hobson is left with no choice in the matter so agrees.

Maggie Hobson/Mossop

Confident Cold Unfriendly To the point Persuasive Unfeeling Bossy

Will Mossop Uneducated Practical Good at his job Obedient Loyal A bit of a push

over Lacks confidence Working class

Hobson Stubborn Drinks too much Dislikes his

daughters Likes his business Pompous Social snob Pathetic

When asked to specifically focus on a character who changes or two characters who are in conflict, use one of the three mentioned. Do not use any of the others as there are not as much to discuss.

Consider:How your character

behavesWhy he/she behaves

in a certain wayHow do other

characters react to them?

How does the playwright want us to react to them?

Conflict is an argument/fight/disagreement between characters.

Consider where the conflict is in Hobson’s Choice and why.

How is this conveyed to the audience?

How does the conflict impact on the rest of the play?

You need to decide which scenes are key to the story of Hobson’s Choice.

1. Act 1 – Maggie forces Will to marry her

2. Act 23. Act 3 – Hobson’s

trouble4. Act 4 – Will’s

confidence /change

Make sure that when you discuss the key scene you include the impact it has on the rest of the play.

When does it happen?

Who is involved?Why does it happen?How is plot/character

affected by it.

Climax is something that is built up to a certain point.

The climax in Hobson’s Choice is the fact that Maggie and he disagree and then she ends up moving back in with him.

Consider:

Why there is climaxWho it involvesHow the plot

goes/changeshow effective it is to

the audience

Themes

When discussing the essay question in an exam, you may wish to include the themes of the text:

AlcoholismGender differencesSocial classFamily relationshipsMarriageBusiness competition.

Themes

When discussing themes, refer to them directly e.g. the theme of business rivalry runs throughout the play as Maggie tries to outdo her father.

However, you must consider how the theme affects the characters or the plot etc and link it into the task!!

Using Quotations!

1. Choose four techniques you wish to focus on.

2. For each technique do the following: find three quotations to support

the technique e.g. one which tells about a particular character.

Explain how effective each technique is i.e. how do we understand the play better.

Using Critical Language

The harder bit!

1. Use the pyramid sheet provided to link paragraphs, open sentences and to strengthen your argument.

2. The words on the sheet, if used appropriately will help to build argument and show your engagement with the play throughout the essay.