road

1. road Jim Cartwright

2. analysis • Look back over the opening two scenes (Louise and Brother, and Brenda and Carol). Discuss what interests you about the scenes, in terms of characterisation and use of language. • What reactions do you think these opening scenes would provoke from the audience? • Make a record of your responses

3. In what ways is ‘Road’ not a conventional play? How does it disrupt our normal expectations of a ‘play’? Cartwright offers only a simple list of characters at the beginning. How does this differ from what you might normally expect? Add a short description to create a noun phrase for each character who has appeared so far (e.g. ‘Willy Loman, an exhausted, depressed salesman’) FORM How can it be described as ‘political theatre’?

4. A blasted landscape From street corner to living room, Kitchen to bedroom Find evidence for each of the statements on the left The characters have no economic prospects yet most have enough spirit to resist becoming ghosts How could this play be considered an example of ‘political theatre’? Isolated characters in extreme circumstances who need to find escape but opportunities are limited Escape through sex, music, fighting, black humour, day-dreaming VIEWS

5. Choose two monologues, e.g. Molly’s monologue and Skin Lad’s, to compare. How does Cartwright use language to convey aspects of character and the concerns of the drama? AO1 – explain meaning coherently, use terminology and concepts correctly AO2 – show critical understanding of form, language and structure (Hand this response in on Mon 6th Jan)

6. THE PAST (and the present) What image does Jerry create of the past? How does the past compare with the present for Jerry? Describe the tone of his monologue. What are your views on the way Jerry talks about the past? MOLLY’S CHARACTER How does Cartwright use Molly’s character to also present ideas of the past?

7. Tasks on characters following slides contain tasks to develop- knowledge and understanding of characters

8. Joey and Clare (p.32-7) ‘…try having an idea now and again, eh. It don’t hurt you know. Try, try it.’ AO1 Write a paragraph explaining the different attitudes to life between Joey and Clare. What is Joey’s motive in starving himself and how does this compare with Clare’s decision to join him? What does Joey accuse Clare of? JOEY AND CLARE Joey and Clare (p.40-1) AO1 How have their roles changed? What does Joey think Clare has achieved that he has not? AO2 Comment on the symbolic meaning of Joey’s gestures and movements in this scene with Clare (p.39-41). Comment on his final physical position on the bed (p.41-2)

9. JOEY Joey’s Monologue (p.38-9) Comment on the use of imagery in Joe’s monologue. AO1 Identify the feelings and ideas he is expressing through these images. AO2 Explain the type of images he uses. How do they enhance the meaning of the monologue? AO3 What range of different responses could his monologue provoke in the audience?

10. Scullery • Make notes on Scullery’s character and role in the drama throughout Act One. Find examples of his: • Anarchism • Poetic use of language • Moral scruples, (despite surface impressions?) • Solicitous attitude to characters such as Molly, Lane and Clare • Differences to other characters, such as Professor and Blowpipe MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ THE REST OF THE PLAY TO THE END BEFORE MON 6/1/14. KEEP NOTES ON YOUR RESPONSES AS YOU READ