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Choose a character from a play you have studied who experiences a significant problem or difficulty - Junior Cycle English - Question 1 - 2015
Question 1
Choose a character from a play you have studied who experiences a significant problem or difficulty. (a) Identify the problem or difficulty your chosen character ex... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Choose a character from a play you have studied who experiences a significant problem or difficulty - Junior Cycle English - Question 1 - 2015
Step 1
Identify the problem or difficulty your chosen character experiences and describe a moment in the play when that problem or difficulty is particularly apparent.
Answer
In Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman', the character Willy Loman faces significant emotional turmoil related to his failure as a salesman and father. A critical moment illustrating his struggle occurs during a conversation with his son Biff, where Willy's delusions about success and self-worth become painfully clear. He believes he is not failing if he is well-liked, yet he grapples with the reality of his stagnant career and estranged relationship with Biff. This moment reveals Willy's desperation and conflict, making his emotional crisis exceptionally apparent.
Step 2
Imagine you are an actor playing the part of your chosen character. Outline two things you would do, when performing the moment described above, to represent the character's predicament to an audience.
Answer
Firstly, I would focus on my physicality, using slumped shoulders and hesitant movements to convey Willy's sense of defeat. This would visually represent his internal struggle with feelings of inadequacy. Secondly, I would vary the tone and pacing of my speech during the conversation with Biff, starting with a confident but shaky tone as Willy tries to assert his views on success, then transitioning to a frantic and broken delivery as he recognizes the futility of his dreams. This shift would highlight the emotional weight of his predicament, allowing the audience to connect deeply with his despair.