Dramatic tension is a figurative device an author would use to add tension to conflict between characters. In Arthur Miller’s play, All My Sons, dramatic tension is created by using theoretical devices and language, utilizing conflicting character personalities, dramatic irony, and character development, to exhibit dramatic tension in order to keep the audience engaged in the play. ACT 1 At the beginning of Act One, when Keller gives the audience first impressions of characters, the audience begins to foreshadow conflicts between the characters based on each individual character’s personality, this is one of the first examples of foreshadowing conflict for the audience. “KELLER is nearing sixty. A heavy man of stolid mind and build, a business man these many years, but with the imprint of the machine-shop working and boss still upon him. When he reads, when he speaks, when he listens, it is with the terrible concentration of the uneducated man from whom there is still wonder in many commonly known things, a man whose judgements must be dredged out of experience and a peasant-like common sense. A man among men.” (6). When Miller describes Joe Keller in the beginning of the play, he describes him from the perspective of somebody who has a well thought out first impression of him, giving the audience an impression of him. When Miller describes Keller as “A man among men.” (6), the audience can assume he is indifferent to others, Miller still maintains a description of Joe
The use of the dramatic element of tension is most evident when Lewis and Nick have a disagreement about the play and the mental patients. Nick’s attitude towards Lewis’ fellow actors enrages him revealing that he deeply cares for them and considers them friends. The dramatic action revealed in the stage directions would impact the audience because Nick is suppose to be Lewis’s Best friend but he betrays him. It is shocking to see men who were once friends, now fighting in such a short period of time over one silly
In the book Half Brother, by Kenneth Oppel, Ben Tomlin is a very thoughtful person because he is considerate, caring, friendly, and kindhearted. Ben Tomlin, the main character in the book, lives in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada with his mom, dad, and a chimpanzee, Zan. Some things about Ben is that he has curly hair, he likes to play Risk and pinball, and he does cross-country and photography. First of all, Ben is a thoughtful person because he is considerate of others, especially his friends and family. An example that proves this is can be found in Half Brother, by Kenneth Oppel on page 371, said by Ben. “I paused, because this part was hard to admit. ‘I didn’t love you at first, Zan. I thought you were weird, and I guess I was jealous, and sometimes I didn’t want you at all. But that didn’t last long. You were my little brother. I really felt that. That was never fake.’” This quote explains that even though Zan is a chimpanzee, Ben still loves him because he cares for him and wants what’s best for Zan, which is a family. Another time where Ben shows his thoughtfulness by being considerate of others is when he understands why Zan is being crazy. Even though Zan is fooling around and he can’t stop him, he is not mad at Zan because he knows that Zan is an animal after all, even though his family is raising him like a human. He knows that Zan is only having his temper tantrum and he knows that he can’t stop him because he is an animal, not a human. In Half Brother, by
In the novel Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison depicts the many aspects of self-actualization, and the difficulties of growing up in a maltreated life. The story revolves around generations of black family in the south during the segregation of whites and blacks. The character of Macon Dead jr., suffers from a sheltered life. Macon jr., is unaware of his family’s history, and the cruel reality of mistreatment during segregation. In the sheltered and confusing environment Macon jr., lives pushes him to find the authentic individual within himself. Macon jr., evolves through the descriptions, events, and experiences of others. But, who is responsible for making Macon jr.,’s journey of self-actualization to be so slow and difficult. His parents, Macon Dead sr., and Ruth Foster Dead, represent the obstacle hindering Macon jr., from his true authentic identity. Many of Macon jr.,’s major problems are a direct result of his parents suffocating mistakes.
Every respectable parent wants what is best for their children, even if that means putting their personal dreams on hold. Unfortunately, parents can negatively affect their children through, not only their actions, but also their beliefs onto how to achieve their dreams. The damaging effects of parents chasing unrealistic dreams, such as the American Dream, can be seen through their children and how they chase their own dreams. Biff Loman of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Walter Younger of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry watch their parents fight for their dreams only to become a failure, Biff is pulled into his father’s delusional dreams of success and Walter lacks the proper role models to shape his dreams around,
Robert Penn Warren wrote “All the King 's Men” to showcase the reality of political life in early twentieth century. The reader is introduced to the narrator Jack Burden, a young political muckraker for Willie Stark, governor of an unnamed Southern state in the 1930s. The novel is about Willie 's rise to importance and transformation from a modest lawyer to a fiery manipulator who uses corrupt means in order to do well for the poor crowds of his state. It is also the story of Willie 's downfall and the complicated personal story of Jack as the latter comes to realize his responsibility for the world around him. The insight that this book gives on politician life’s can compare and contrast history events thought the different themes like visions of America, alcohol, politics, and education.
What does the word family mean to you? In my opinion, family means everything to me. It’s the people I knew since I was born, who I know I can turn to anytime needed. Everyone has their own definition of family, it can be positive, negative, or even both. In the world’s society everyone is born into a family, it can be a traditional, a un-blood related, or an extended family. No matter how well a family relationship can be there is no such thing as a perfect family. In many classic pieces of literature, many writers’ use themes of conflict between the children and their parents. It can be conflicts towards each other or conflicts the family experiences together. In many well know novels, many characters from tragic events of abuse, cruelty, and negligent events kept their courage to survive through terrible events. The story of “Ellen Foster” Kaye Gibbons takes a reader inside a story of young orphaned girl, who is passed down to every family until the she is able to find the perfect one she fit into. In the classic novel “Night” author Elie Wiesel writes a historical piece about a young boy’s experience in a concentration camp. Losing half of his family the young boy Eliezer has to fight with his father through suffering tactics from the Nazis. The classic play “Romeo and Juliet”, William Shakespeare writes a tragic piece about two young lovers being forced to disobey family orders to be with each other. In all three pieces of literature, the characters struggle
It has been 6 days since James left never leaving my mind. The days seem longer and duller. I have been waiting for what feels an eternity to have gotten a letter from him to assure me he was okay. Around noon the mail arrived and I saw a pile of letter from James and the sight of this print made me the happiest i've been since his departure and feel as if he had returned with the
Into the Woods is a musical that was written by songwriter, Stephen Sondheim and director, James Lapine. In this musical, several Disney stories are humorously re-told by creatively combining their stories into one interrelated adventure. This show opened on November 5, 1989 and ran 764 performances before this film of the musical was released in 1990. Into the Woods was one of Sondheim’s most popular works in over 25 years. He is known to be the “giant” of musical theatre during his time for such a creative style. Sondheim combines several fairytales to explain what happens in an adult mind after “happily ever after.” Lapine and Sondheim harmonize their theatrical talents of an adult fairy-tale through portrayal of adventure, comedy, tragedy, and reality. Like all Broadway performances and morality, Into the Woods forms pure quality and very little suffering through establishment.
The Author can describe characters in many ways and they usual do that. In the novel/play Arthur Miller all my sons the character Chris looks up to his dad and looks at him for leadership and he respects his dad and loves him.The way Joe keller's family views him is he is a trustworthy man and would sacrifice himself for his family. He has always worked hard in life so his family could have a good life and he always puts his family first. In Arthur Miller's play All My Sons Characters are developed through the use of archetypes such as Joe Keller as the martyr.
Strange and peculiar happenings occur in The Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller. In this story of hypocrisy, guilt, and revenge, innocent people are accused of the bizarre crime of witchcraft. In Salem, Massachusetts, hysteria sets in among every person over fear of being accused of these shocking accusations. Each and every person experiences a severe test or trial in order to live to see another day. In addition to this, these people witnessed their own friends be sentenced to death over a crime in which many were found guilty. The morals of Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Hale, and John Proctor are tested in the crucible of the Salem witchcraft trials.
Shakespeare uses dramatic devices to add to the conflict. Dramatic effects are used to heighten emotions and actions of the characters. By using a range of dramatic devices Shakespeare is able to change the mood and the atmosphere of the scene. Entrances and exits play a big part in this as it builds tension.
Our Town is a play written by Thornton Wilder set in a small town known as Grover’s Corners. Wilder conjured the Stage Manager to be a representation to the theme of the play. The theme of universality placing Grover’s Corners in view with the rest of the world. Wilder makes a point to the audience that people have a big impact and influence over the next person, whether they were important or insignificant to that individual’s life. Therefore, the Stage Manager emphasizes on this very viewpoint that the lives of certain people are overlooked so are their influences. The Stage Manager himself is a physical embodiment of Wilders own views and opinions of humans and life itself. Throughout the play, the Stage Manager plays various of roles in order to force the realization to the audience into understanding the importance human life and the influence of others.
The poem “Mothers and Daughters” is written by Pat Mora. Pat Mora is a contemporary award winning writer, who writes for children, youngsters and adults. She was born in El Paso, TX in the year 1942. She attains a title of a Hispanic writer; however, the most of her poems are in English. In her literary work, one can observe the different aspects of the immigrants’ lives such as language issues, family relationships, immigrants’ experiences and cultural differences (1187).
Billy Crystal is regarded as one of the most amusing comedians to ever entertain others, but this funny man experienced a tragedy at a young age that would change his life forever. When he was fifteen years old, his hardworking father suddenly passed away from a heart attack. His dad was always working to support his family, and the only day he did not work was Sundays, which the Crystal family spent together. Crystal realized that he spent only 700 days with his dad; 700 Sundays, where Crystal’s book gets its title. The short-lived time of father and son showed Crystal the importance of family life and enjoying time with family. Through the book, which focuses mainly on Crystal’s youth, Crystal keeps the description in a chronological order,
The Short Story “My Father’s Life,” by Raymond Carver illustrates the difficult task of a son trying to find his own sense of identity and individualism while watching his father’s life unravel. Carver explores the relationships of his parents and his own struggle with sharing the same name with his father and the similarities and differences between them.