DNA: Characters

Key Characters in DNA

1. Phil
2. Leah
3. John Tate
4. Cathy
5. Brian
6. Adam
7. Richard
8. Danny
9. Jan and Mark

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Phil

Quote 1: "We'll throw rocks at you until you drop through."

Analysis**:** Phil's command to Brian illustrates his cold and controlling nature. The phrase "until you drop through" emphasises Phil's willingness to go to extreme lengths to maintain control, demonstrating how detached he is from the violence he incites. This detachment might be Phil's way of coping with the situation, or it could reflect how peer pressure has made him lose touch with what's right and wrong. The straightforward language he uses makes his threats even more chilling, as it emphasises how easily he accepts violence as a solution.

Quote 2: "If you go now and say nothing to no one about this, we'll let you go."

Analysis**:** This quote highlights Phil's manipulative nature, as he offers conditional mercy to ensure Brian's silence. Phil's ability to remain calm and calculated under pressure illustrates his power within the group. The phrase "we'll let you go" subtly reinforces his dominance, implying that he has the authority to decide who is punished and who is spared. This demonstrates the extent to which Phil controls the group's actions and decisions.

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Leah

Quote 1: "We're in trouble now, aren't we?"

Analysis**:** Leah's question highlights her growing awareness that what they've done is seriously wrong. By using "we," Leah illustrates her sense of shared responsibility, even though she didn't directly harm Adam. This quote also demonstrates Leah's reliance on Phil, as she seeks reassurance from him. Her uncertainty suggests she is struggling with her conscience, knowing that their actions might be beyond forgiveness. Leah often represents the moral voice of the group, even though she feels powerless to change what's happening.

Quote 2: "What are we going to do, Phil?"

Analysis**:** This quote further illustrates Leah's dependence on Phil for guidance. The directness of her question shows her fear and uncertainty, as she looks to Phil for a solution to their escalating problems. Leah's repeated questioning throughout the play emphasises her inner conflict and the tension between her moral awareness and her inability to act independently. Her character embodies the struggle between right and wrong, as she grapples with the consequences of the group's actions.

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John Tate

Quote 1**:** "I'm trying to keep everyone together."

Analysis**:** John Tate's words emphasise his desire to maintain control over the group. "Keep everyone together" suggests he views himself as the leader who can prevent the group from falling apart. However, his methods for maintaining control often involve intimidation and suppression, which demonstrates that his leadership is built on fear rather than respect. The word "trying" hints that he recognises the limits of his power, foreshadowing how he eventually loses control.

Quote 2: "Nobody is to say that word, no one."

Analysis**:** John Tate's ban on using the word "dead" illustrates his attempt to control the group's thoughts and language. By forbidding the word, he is trying to deny the reality of the situation, showing his fear of losing control. This quote highlights John Tate's authoritarian leadership style, where he attempts to manage the group through censorship and fear. His refusal to acknowledge the truth reflects his weakness as a leader, as he prioritises maintaining his power over addressing the group's moral crisis.

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Cathy

Quote 1: "I'm not afraid of anything."

Analysis: Cathy's statement illustrates her reckless and dangerous nature. Declaring "I'm not afraid of anything" emphasises her disregard for the consequences of her actions, making her a menacing figure within the group. This lack of fear could indicate that Cathy has become desensitised to violence, or it might reflect her desire to prove herself as tough and dominant. Cathy's character challenges the audience to consider the ethical implications of fearlessness when it leads to harm rather than courage.

Quote 2: "This is going to be so great."

Analysis**:** Cathy's excitement about the media attention they might receive after Adam's death underscores her complete lack of empathy. The phrase "so great" reflects her thrill at the idea of fame, rather than any concern for the gravity of the situation. This quote highlights Cathy's moral corruption and her willingness to exploit tragedy for personal gain. Her character serves as a critique of those who seek attention and power at the expense of others' suffering.

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Brian

Quote 1: "That's disgusting!"

Analysis: Brian's outburst highlights that he still has a sense of right and wrong. The word "disgusting" is loaded with moral judgment, demonstrating that Brian is deeply disturbed by what they've done. This reaction sets Brian apart from the others, illustrating that he feels guilty and is struggling to cope with the situation. His breakdown later in the play emphasises how guilt can destroy someone when they cannot reconcile their actions with their moral values. Brian's struggle with guilt is central to the play's exploration of responsibility.

Quote 2: "I can't do it. I can't do it anymore."

Analysis**:** Brian's admission reveals his inability to continue lying about what happened. The repetition of "I can't do it" emphasises his emotional exhaustion and the toll that the group's actions have taken on him. This quote illustrates Brian's breaking point, where the weight of his guilt becomes unbearable. It highlights his vulnerability and the impact of peer pressure on his mental health, making him one of the most tragic characters in the play.

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Adam

Quote 1: "I fell."

Analysis: Adam's simple statement illustrates the tragic understatement of what happened to him. By saying "I fell," he downplays the violence he experienced, which could reflect his confusion or his attempt to make sense of a traumatic event. This minimalistic dialogue highlights Adam's innocence and vulnerability, contrasting sharply with the cruelty of the group. Alternatively, "I fell" could symbolise the fall from innocence that all the characters experience, emphasising their moral decline. Adam's passive language also demonstrates his powerlessness in the situation.

Quote 2: "Is this a joke?"

Analysis: Adam's question reflects his disbelief and confusion about what has happened to him. The phrase "Is this a joke?" suggests that he cannot comprehend the seriousness of the situation, indicating how disoriented and vulnerable he is. This quote highlights the tragedy of Adam's situation, as he is caught in a horrifying reality that he cannot fully understand. It also underscores the cruelty of the group's actions, as they have turned his life into something that seems unreal and nightmarish.

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Richard

Quote 1: "What are we going to do?"

Analysis**:** Richard's question emphasises the fear and uncertainty that grips the group after Adam's disappearance. The phrase "What are we going to do?" illustrates Richard's sense of shared responsibility but also his dependence on others for direction. This quote highlights Richard's role as a follower rather than a leader, someone who seeks guidance rather than taking charge. It also connects to the play's theme of moral uncertainty, where the characters are constantly grappling with the consequences of their actions but struggle to find clear solutions.

Quote 2: "He was fine when I left him."

Analysis**:** Richard's statement reflects his attempt to distance himself from the group's actions. By saying "He was fine when I left him," Richard tries to absolve himself of responsibility, suggesting that whatever happened afterwards was beyond his control. This quote illustrates Richard's reluctance to face the truth and his desire to escape blame. It highlights the theme of denial and the characters' struggles to cope with the reality of their situation.

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Danny

Quote 1: "I've got a plan."

Analysis**:** Danny's statement illustrates his desire to impose order on the chaos surrounding him. The word "plan" suggests a methodical approach, reflecting his practical and problem-solving nature. This connects to his aspirations to become a dentist, someone who fixes problems. However, the simplicity of his statement might also show that he doesn't fully grasp the complexity of the situation or the moral issues they're facing.

Quote 2: "I can't get involved, I've got too much to lose."

Analysis**:** Danny's admission reveals his self-preservation instinct and his reluctance to take risks that could jeopardise his future. The phrase "too much to lose" emphasises how Danny prioritises his own ambitions over the group's collective responsibility. This quote highlights Danny's detachment from the situation, as he views it primarily in terms of how it affects his own life. It also underscores the theme of selfishness and the conflict between personal goals and moral obligations.

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Jan and Mark

Quote 1: "We were just having a laugh."

Analysis: Jan and Mark's casual admission downplays the seriousness of their actions and highlights their initial lack of awareness about the consequences. The phrase "just having a laugh" indicates their immaturity and their failure to recognise the severity of what they've done. This quote highlights how easily peer pressure and a desire for entertainment can lead to harmful behaviour, reflecting the group's overall moral blindness. Their flippant attitude also contrasts sharply with the escalating seriousness of the situation, making the consequences of their actions even more tragic.

Quote 2: "He was laughing too."

Analysis: This quote shows Jan and Mark attempting to justify their actions by implying that Adam was a willing participant. The statement "He was laughing too" is their way of easing their own guilt, suggesting that Adam's involvement makes the situation less severe. However, this attempt at justification highlights their inability to fully grasp the impact of their actions and their tendency to shift blame rather than take responsibility. It also reveals the theme of denial and how the characters use it as a coping mechanism to avoid facing the truth about their role in the events that unfold.