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Use of Dramatic Techniques in Cartwright's Road and Kane's Blasted

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Use of Dramatic Techniques in Cartwright's Road and Kane's Blasted

In this essay I shall concentrate on the plays 'Road' by Jim Cartwright and 'Blasted' by Sarah Kane with specific reference to use of language and structure of dialogue as examples of dramatic techniques.

My explanation of dramatic techniques is perhaps akin to Brecht's opinion regarding this theme:

'...The strong centralisation of the story, a momentum that draws the separate parts into a common relationship. A particular passion of utterance, a certain emphasis on the class of forces are hallmarks of the dramatic.'

(Brecht:p70)

Here we can perhaps see the way in which Brecht explains the aim of techniques such as use …show more content…

This increases the pace and encourages the audience to notice a sense of excitement that the Skinhead feels regarding his past behaviour.

In contrast within 'Blasted' this is not an element which is explored. However, there is a strong sense of rhythm within the dialogue between Ian and Cate:

Ian: Why not?

Cate:It's not very nice.

Ian: You a nigger-lover?

Cate:Ian, don't

Ian: You like our coloured brethren?

Cate:Don't mind them.

The quick staccato style of Cate's answers provides a naïve quality to her character whom appears frightened of Ian's persistent questions. This dialogue, the style of question and answer, is quite tight dialogue. In other words it would be almost as if Cate is overlapping Ian's questions in order to change the subject. This quick fire round style conversation is perhaps similar to 'Road's use of rhyming words which quicken the pace too. Just as within 'Road' there is also a sense of aggression from Ian, and underlying frustration from Cate which is revealed in the tempo speech of the dialogue.

The use of tautology is also used prolifically in Road in a number of speeches and duologues. In Valerie's speech

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