Choose a play in which a central character struggles to cope with social convention or financial difficulties or family duties.
Briefly explain the reasons for the character’s struggle and discuss how the dramatist’s presentation of this struggle enhances your understanding of character and/or theme in the play as a whole.
Intro:
– State that AMS (by AM, 1945) is a play which features “a central character struggles to cope with… family duties”
– State that the character of Keller must balance his desire for affluence with duty to others
– State that his struggle leads to the fundamental aspect of the drama
Para 1:
– Explain that Keller is a “good man” at the start of the drama
– Show that he wants to do what is best for his family
– Show that the family is strong at the start
Para 2:
– Explain that the family is challenged by accusations from George
– Show that the audience suspects Keller but cannot prove it
– Show how Keller manages to pacify George
Para 3:
– Explain that the cover is blown when Kate slips
– Show that Keller sees his actions in terms of his duty to his family
– Show that he is convinced he has done the right thing
Para 4:
– Show how his sense of duty to his family is in conflict with his duty to society
– Show that Chris understands that our first duty is to wider society
– Show that Keller does not understand this until he learns that Larry held this idea of social responsibility
Conclusion:
– Explain that the drama hinges on how Keller serves his duty to his family
– Say that his failure to act in a socially responsible way makes all the family guilty by association
– Say that when Keller finally understands, he is overwhelmed by guilt and kills himself at the play’s climax
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