Alan Ayckbourn's Absurd Person Singular - Student Group Enquiry for Act I
These are potentially the most important parts of Act I.
Write brief responses to these particular questions for revision and to build in to potential paragraphs.
Another good way to use them for revision is to ask each other/get family or friends to ask you. If you speak better than you write, put your phone o Voice Record and then write up your best ideas.
These are potentially the most important parts of Act I.
Write brief responses to these particular questions for revision and to build in to potential paragraphs.
Another good way to use them for revision is to ask each other/get family or friends to ask you. If you speak better than you write, put your phone o Voice Record and then write up your best ideas.
Enquiry questions from Baxter, Harry, Sandeep, Simon, Blake, Ben, Hao, Oliver, Matthew, Dylan, Caleb, Jackson T, James, Jackson M, Logan, Furqan, Shaunak, Rishaan, Chris, Jose, Aaron
Still waiting for: Jacob, Henry, Josh, Zi You, Bernie
1. In terms of how the kitchen is presented, what does the "gleaming" sink show; as this is the center of the kitchen? What is the significance of the washing machine, and how is it symbolic of women in society? Explore Marion's comment that with technology replacing women "we shall soon be totally redundant". What do these two significant set props symbolise from a gender and Absurdist point of view?
2. how does the bottle opener on the mantle piece present absurdism?
3. What does the physical comedy of the 'fly spray' incident tell us about Sidney? How is this moment particularly funny? What different aspects of Sidney's character do we see through this? Explore the idea of Sidney as a pest.
4. How is Jane's subservience presented in page 18 and how is it made significant?
5. How does Ayckbourn convey Sidney's power over and unpleasantness towards Jane verbally, physically and behaviourally (eg p35)? What is the effect on the audience in terms of how they feel about Sidney and what he represents? Look at the way that Sidney puts his foot on the clean table (p16) and later leaves all the drawers open when he is angry at Jane's social faux pas with the clothing incident. What does this show about his character, their relationship and how men view female power in society?
6. "I had the windows open all day so it wouldn't [smell of polish]" how is this significant; what does Ayckbourn show the audience about the illusions of social acceptability?
7. How does Ayckbourn use cliches on p37 to show aspects of Sidney's personality?
8. What does Jane's clothing, "pinafore and bedroom slippers, under this, a smart new party dress", show the reader and how does it compare/contrast to Sidney's clothing? What is therefore implied about gender roles in society and in their relationship?
9. In what ways does the male clothing that Jane's later wears in the tonic-buying farce represent or challenge the societal expectations of women and men?
Still waiting for: Jacob, Henry, Josh, Zi You, Bernie
1. In terms of how the kitchen is presented, what does the "gleaming" sink show; as this is the center of the kitchen? What is the significance of the washing machine, and how is it symbolic of women in society? Explore Marion's comment that with technology replacing women "we shall soon be totally redundant". What do these two significant set props symbolise from a gender and Absurdist point of view?
2. how does the bottle opener on the mantle piece present absurdism?
3. What does the physical comedy of the 'fly spray' incident tell us about Sidney? How is this moment particularly funny? What different aspects of Sidney's character do we see through this? Explore the idea of Sidney as a pest.
4. How is Jane's subservience presented in page 18 and how is it made significant?
5. How does Ayckbourn convey Sidney's power over and unpleasantness towards Jane verbally, physically and behaviourally (eg p35)? What is the effect on the audience in terms of how they feel about Sidney and what he represents? Look at the way that Sidney puts his foot on the clean table (p16) and later leaves all the drawers open when he is angry at Jane's social faux pas with the clothing incident. What does this show about his character, their relationship and how men view female power in society?
6. "I had the windows open all day so it wouldn't [smell of polish]" how is this significant; what does Ayckbourn show the audience about the illusions of social acceptability?
7. How does Ayckbourn use cliches on p37 to show aspects of Sidney's personality?
8. What does Jane's clothing, "pinafore and bedroom slippers, under this, a smart new party dress", show the reader and how does it compare/contrast to Sidney's clothing? What is therefore implied about gender roles in society and in their relationship?
9. In what ways does the male clothing that Jane's later wears in the tonic-buying farce represent or challenge the societal expectations of women and men?
10. How does Marion's ignorance of general housework reflect the class-dominated society? Explain the comedic effect, performance aspects and social implications of her malapropism of the clothes being "cooked" by the washing machine.
What is the importance of Marion's dialogue on page 24-25?
11. In what way can Ronald's "soda siphons" line be viewed as a metaphor for life?
12. On page 24-25 collate quotes to show how Ronald is emasculated by Marion
13. Sidney seems to be cut off quite often. What does this suggest about Ronald and Sidney’s relationship? (p. 36) Why is this relevant when considering Act3?
14. How does Ayckbourn present Ronald as socially superior yet comparatively inferior compared to the other, more practical men around him? What can he be saying about social hierarchy or gender roles through this?
15. What does Jane's "housekeeping" purse imply about her position within her marriage? How does it reflect the limitations and social attitudes towards women at the time? How does this contrast with Eva's expectation of shared finances in Act III?
16. On pg. 31, what is the significance of the pauses?
17. "Don't you sometimes just long to be out of your body and free? Free just to float?" How does this show Eva
challenging the pointless, absurd nature of society?
18. How does Eva's depiction of her marriage as an 'embarrassing smudge' portray her relationship with Geoffrey? How does Ayckbourn highlight issues surrounding gender and her own relationship through this statement?
19. How does Eva's outlook on her life and those around her reflect aspects of absurdist thinking?
What is the importance of Marion's dialogue on page 24-25?
11. In what way can Ronald's "soda siphons" line be viewed as a metaphor for life?
12. On page 24-25 collate quotes to show how Ronald is emasculated by Marion
13. Sidney seems to be cut off quite often. What does this suggest about Ronald and Sidney’s relationship? (p. 36) Why is this relevant when considering Act3?
14. How does Ayckbourn present Ronald as socially superior yet comparatively inferior compared to the other, more practical men around him? What can he be saying about social hierarchy or gender roles through this?
15. What does Jane's "housekeeping" purse imply about her position within her marriage? How does it reflect the limitations and social attitudes towards women at the time? How does this contrast with Eva's expectation of shared finances in Act III?
16. On pg. 31, what is the significance of the pauses?
17. "Don't you sometimes just long to be out of your body and free? Free just to float?" How does this show Eva
challenging the pointless, absurd nature of society?
18. How does Eva's depiction of her marriage as an 'embarrassing smudge' portray her relationship with Geoffrey? How does Ayckbourn highlight issues surrounding gender and her own relationship through this statement?
19. How does Eva's outlook on her life and those around her reflect aspects of absurdist thinking?
20. Explore the purposeful choice of Jane to leave the door open so she can return and the farcical closing of it by Sidney, which leads to her later social humiliation. Additionally, consider "[We see Jane's mouth opening and shouting but no sound.]" How does these elements symbolise the role and voice of women in a patriarchy?
21. Explore how the men objectify, belittle and depersonalise women in their 'backroom boys club' conversation. How does Ayckbourn make this particularly unpleasant? What does this reflect about gender roles and expectations?
22. Explore how Geoffrey's womanising nature is shown on P38 and how the other men respond. Compare this to their behaviour around the women - what is Ayckbourn making his audience consider?
23. Eva "makes no concessions" in behaviour or appearance. She is essentially a strong, modern woman. How does her existentialist challenging of societal rules make it impossible for her to survive in such a restrictive society? Link this with her behaviour in Act2.
24. Who has the power in Geoffrey and Eva’s relationship? Use evidence to support your view. (p. 40). Does this change in Act 2? Act 3? Support your answer with evidence and explain your choices.
25. How does Ayckbourn's use of anaphoric dialogue"in Eva's your house, your dog, your car, your wife - we all belong to you, darling" reflect her attitude towards Geoffrey and, possibly, societal control? How is this significant to the play as a whole? Bear in mind the playwrights purpose when answering. (p. 41)
26. How is social hypocrisy and the absurd, illusionary nature of polite appearances shown on p42. How is this made both funny and shocking?
27. What is the significance of Jane's notable relaxation and happiness when left alone on stage to clean the kitchen (p43)? How can you explore this in different ways? What could this signify about women's roles in society?
21. Explore how the men objectify, belittle and depersonalise women in their 'backroom boys club' conversation. How does Ayckbourn make this particularly unpleasant? What does this reflect about gender roles and expectations?
22. Explore how Geoffrey's womanising nature is shown on P38 and how the other men respond. Compare this to their behaviour around the women - what is Ayckbourn making his audience consider?
23. Eva "makes no concessions" in behaviour or appearance. She is essentially a strong, modern woman. How does her existentialist challenging of societal rules make it impossible for her to survive in such a restrictive society? Link this with her behaviour in Act2.
24. Who has the power in Geoffrey and Eva’s relationship? Use evidence to support your view. (p. 40). Does this change in Act 2? Act 3? Support your answer with evidence and explain your choices.
25. How does Ayckbourn's use of anaphoric dialogue"in Eva's your house, your dog, your car, your wife - we all belong to you, darling" reflect her attitude towards Geoffrey and, possibly, societal control? How is this significant to the play as a whole? Bear in mind the playwrights purpose when answering. (p. 41)
26. How is social hypocrisy and the absurd, illusionary nature of polite appearances shown on p42. How is this made both funny and shocking?
27. What is the significance of Jane's notable relaxation and happiness when left alone on stage to clean the kitchen (p43)? How can you explore this in different ways? What could this signify about women's roles in society?