Textual Analysis (Q13-16) finished
1. How are speeches structured?
All speeches are structured with an opening, a dramatic climax and an ending which usually gives the audience something to think about.The beginning of a speech is used to open up the topic and to give a rough idea as to which issues are being raised within the speech. the main section is often a climax which is used to shock the audience, this can be done by making the audience relate to the issue, or by giving statistics to prove their point. The way a speech usually ends is by either making a promise, creating a motto to promote the campaign or asking a question. this is to give the audience something to think about and remember.
In Stanislavski speeches spoken by a character are spoken to themselves or another character within the fourth wall. the audience cant hear the characters thoughts unless they are speaking aloud, this is contrasting to Brecht.
What does the structure of a character’s speech show us about the character and their relationships to others?
The way in which the speaker puts across his point says a lot about their character for example, if fear tactics were used e.g. ‘you don’t really want your family to get hurt do you?’ then you could see that their relationship with other characters is very authoritative and intimidating and they are not on an equal level of social status to who they are speaking to. Where as if hey make promises and hope to the listeners then it shows the character to be of a more understanding nature and are wanting the support of others, not the full control over them.
Does the structure change according to who the character is talking to?
Yes because if the structure is more relaxed and there are less persuasive techniques used within the language then it would show that they were talking to a character equal and familiar to them, for example a friend or a family member. Where as if the person used a strict structure and patronising persuasive techniques, it would show tat they thought themselves to be higher than them and there for could talk down to them by using more formal language and speech structure.
Are there any clues to pace and rhythm in the way speeches are structured?
Within a speech, pauses are shown through the use of punctuation. these pauses create dramatic effect whilst also giving clues to the pace and rhythm of the speech. another feature would be the length of each sentence as if their are lots of quick short sentences, it would create a faster pace and would therefore create feelings of panic or anger. where as longer more detailed sentences may slow down the pace and therefore give a more formal feel to the speech.
How this affects how you play your character:
when ever i speak it must always be to myself or another character. So as Parsons i would only ever speak to Fawcett or myself as i need to stay within the fourth wall. My character is very nervous throughout my performance as she is intimidated by constantly being around my boss, I show this through the structure of my speech as i use short staggered sentances with lots of breaths and pauses in to show that i’m doubting what i am saying.
2. Do any of the characters have accents / dialects?
A lot of the characters such as Ginger and johnny rooster Byron have very common rural accents which use a lot of slang, colloquialisms and swearing. For example johnny rooster Byron is a gypsy who is a drug dealer whose natural way of speaking includes swearing ‘i can categorically say that is bollocks’, this could also have been influenced by hanging round with younger people as they as a generalisation tend to explore their language and vocabulary more. Gingers speech has a lot of his own individual idiosyncrasies such as talking in a rapping manner ‘it’s the fair its the fair its the flintock fair its the motherfucking flintock fair, its shit but you love it’ this is to she his outlandish character and also to separate is character from the other youths that follow Johnny Rooster as he has been around longer, this use of language also helps to show that they are of lower class and are from a poorer semi rural area. Linda Fawcett uses RP (received pronunciation) and a slightly upper class accent as she is a lawyer/council officer who is middle class and earns a higher income than the rest of the lower class characters. Her use of lexis tends to be more intellectual and factual ‘ This is Linda Fawcett representing Kennet and Avon council’ This shows that she is a business woman who takes her career seriously and is of a middle class background and a higher intelligence.This use of accents is an effective way of distinguishing the devide between the classes at the time.
If so what does this add?
The contrasting accents and idiolects add background to each character, describing their age, class and social standing. It also helps to show the difference between which characters have what relationships with each other, so for example Linda fawcett and johnny Rooster Byron have completely contrasting accents, this helps to show when they are in a scene together that they are foes rather than friend as they differ so much from each other in their backgrounds. Another example is how Ginger and Jhonny Rooster have similar accents and speech mannerisms as they are friends and are of a similar class and background. This can be shown in some of their conversations such as the one where they are discussing making a bacon butty an a spliff before they go to the fair ‘“not too much baccy?” , “plenty of HP.”’ even using the word ‘baccy’ is an example if slang that both characters in that scene understand and this hugely shows the relationship between them.
How this affects how you play your character:
The contrasting accents and idiolects affects how I play my character because I try to use received pronunciation when playing the role of Parsons, this means I intentionally use a clear voice but choose not to use an accent. Parsons is a lawyer so must be from a higher class background to get such a high status job. As far as the flintock community goes, Parson’s is from a well raised background and is of a slightly higher social standing.. She still however lives in flintock there for her use of language is intelligent and her accent is clear and articulate, but she doesn’t have an upper class accent or intentionally using pretentious vocabulary. Also Parsons still works under Fawcett so is only at the start of their career, so their social status still relies on Parson’s relationship with Fawcett. Because of this I choose to use a neutral ,articulate accent.
The way I vocally portray my character also adds to how I physically portray Parsons, for example if I am speaking with a clear voice I am going to portray my body in a clear and clearly understandable way.
3. What are the super objectives of the main characters?
johnny Rooster Byron - To maintain his way of life by staying the same and resisting the changes that are happening in Flintock e.g. the creation of the new estate, his facing eviction and his group of youths growing up into independently thinking people who are less likely to be controlled by him. Dawn shows this when she says ‘its like a broken fucking clock’ this shows how Byron refuses to move forward but merely stay the same ‘there’s always next year’. So throughout the play he does actions to work towards keeping the way of life the same, such as deliberately pretending to be a dog so Parsons and Fawcett would exit so he could stay in the caravan longer and maintain his way of life.
ginger - He wants to maintain his youth and stay with Jhonny Rooster Byron, as he longs for freindship and to be accepted into the group ‘i thought you were my mate’.
fawcett - to evict Jonny Rooster Byron in order to succeed in their careers and possibly receive a promotion. so by evicting Rooster byron she’ll get more status and wealth.
Are there conflicts between what characters want?
Yes because Linda Fawcett and Parsons want to evict Jhonny rooster but Byron is resisting being evicted because he wants to stay the same an kennet and Avon council want t move on. Also Troy Witwurth wants Pheadra to be released and Jhonny rooster wants to keep her to groom her.
Your Characters’ objectives:
My character is parsons and as previously mentioned, my objectives are to get a promotion and to impress Fawcett, by enabling Fawcett to evict Byron.
How this affects how you play your character:
This affects how I play the character of Parsons because I try my best to impress Fawcett and as a result I get nervous and show that I am intimidated yet respectful of Fawcetts managerial position. I show this in my acting style through body language and vocal characterisation using various tones and inflections such as stammering and using a higher pitch.
4. Is there any difference between what the characters say and what they actually do?
Johnny tells many stories for example the story of how he gets barred from the the Whitworth’s pub “on account of the fraccar” (He gets into a fight in the pub), this conflicts with his actions because he makes a bet with Ginger that he will go back to the Whitworth’s and buy the landlord a drink and he will be allowed back in by the end of the day.
Parsons actions conflict with their actions because she actually thinks that the caravan is situated in a nice place “I’ll say this, its a lovely spot’ yet all the while the intended action is to ruin the lovely pot by evicting Byron and building a new housing estate on the land.
Are the main characters determined to achieve their objective?
Byron is definitely determined to achieve his objective of remaining in his caravan because he shows aggression to Ginger. For example he says to Ginger, “what are you doing here just piss off..... .the rest of your lot have gone” after he feels that he has been betrayed and beaten up by the group of young people who he sells drugs to. This shows a stark reaction to the changes that will inevitably occur. Byron has also shown aggression towards Fawcett and their social circle, This is shown when Fawcett reminds Byron that a friend had been attacked in the Salisbury Arts Centre.
Fawcett is determined to achieve the objective, this is shown because Byron hints that she has had relations with her clients in order to boost her progression up the career ladder. Byron alludes to an incident in the arts centre whilst watching the pantomime. He noticed Fawcett sitting in front of him with a married man and as he states “from where I was sat Mr Hands is aptly named”.
How this affects how I play my character:.
Parsons is affected by Byron and Fawcetts conflict in Act 3 as she is trying to support Fawcetts side of the argument and due to Parson’s objectives she tries really hard to over exaggerate the point that Fawcett is making. This changes the vocal performance and intonation of her recital of the list of names that have signed the petition for Byron being evicted as she is far more persistent and forceful with the names. This also affects her body language as she is more assertive than she would have been if Byron had not implied that Fawcett was involved in an affair.
