drama
theme
pre-discussion writing
most comprehensive of elements of drama
a statement a work seems to make about a given issue or subject that is revealed by all the elements: character, structure, setting, tone
Take a few minutes to think about the word "drama." What does it mean to you, particularly in the context of the arts and literature? How is it different from other genres of literature, such as poetry, short story, or novels? What is your own experience with drama, written plays, and with live theater? Is it something you enjoy? Why or why not?
tone, language, and symbol
a streetcar named desire
Assignment for Thursday: finish reading the play and answer as written homework: What do you think is the dominant theme in the play, and how is it revealed through the conventional elements of drama?
tone in drama is conveyed by the words but also the actor's delivery of them
dramatic irony: character's perception is contradicted by what audience knows
verbal irony: statement implies meaning quite different from its obvious, literal meaning
situational irony: character's (and audience's) expectations about what will happen are contradicted by what actually happens
and just as in poetry and short story, you will also encounter figures of speech such as symbols, allusions, metaphors, etc.
elements of drama: character
character: fiction provides narrator, drama...indirect characterization
protagonist
antagonist
hero/heroine/villain
what are constraints of characterization in drama?
stages, sets, and setting
- audience is asked to imagine the sense of place conveyed by the playwright
- sets, actors, and words used to convey the second key ingredient of setting, which is time
elements of drama: plot and structure
plot: invention, selection, and arrangement of action with a unifying sense of purpose
conflict: the "engine that drives the plot," shapes dramatic structure of play external/internal
typical dramatic plot: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution
traditional structure = five acts
acts emphasize a particular phase of plot, further subdivided into scenes, featuring somewhat different time/place/characters