Read the following passage from the Prologue of “Make Believe” by A. A. Milne.
ADA (at ROSEMARY’S shoulder). Oh, I say, she’s writing a play!
(Uproar and turmoil, as they all rush at ROSEMARY.)
{ THE BOYS. Coo! I say, shove me into it. What’s it about? Bet it’s awful rot. }
{ THE GIRLS. Oh, Rosemary! Am I in it? Do tell us about it. Is it for Christmas?}
ROSEMARY (in alarm). James, could you——?
JAMES (firmly). Quiet, there, quiet! Down, Master Dennis, down! Miss Gwendoline, if you wouldn’t mind—— (He picks her up and places her on the floor.) Thank you. (Order is restored.)
ROSEMARY. Thank you, James. . . . Yes, it’s a play for Christmas, and it is called “Make-Believe,” and that’s all I’m certain about yet, except that we’re all going to be in it.
BERTRAM. Then I vote we have a desert island——
DENNIS. And pirates——
HAROLD (gloatingly). Cannibals eating people—Oo!
CAROLINE (shocked). Harold! How would you like to be eaten by a cannibal?
DENNIS. Oh, chuck it! How would you like to be a cannibal and have nobody to eat? (CAROLINE is silent, never having thought of this before.)
ADA. Let it be a fairy-story, Rosemary, darling. It’s so much prettier.
ELSIE. With a lovely princess——
GWENDOLINE. And a humble woodcutter who marries her——
ISABEL (her only contribution). P’itty P’incess.
BERTRAM. Princesses are rot.
ELSIE (with spirit). So are pirates! (Deadlock.)
CAROLINE. I should like something about Father Christmas, and snow, and waits, and a lovely ball, and everybody getting nice presents and things.
DENNIS (selfishly, I’m afraid). Bags I all the presents.
(Of course, the others aren’t going to have that. They all say so together.)
ROSEMARY (above the turmoil). James, I must have silence.
JAMES. Silence, all!
ROSEMARY. Thank you. . . . You will be interested to hear that I have decided to have a Fairy Story and a Desert Island and a Father Christmas.
ALL. Good! (Or words to that effect)
Answer the questions that follow. Cite textual evidence as support for each response. Write your answers on a sheet of paper.
Question 1
What differing points of view do the characters have? How does the dialogue help you understand these points of view?
Reveal Sample Answer
Question 2
What do the stage directions suggest about the characters’ personalities? Consider at least two characters in your response.
Possible answer: Dennis is a bit selfish, given the stage direction (selfishly, I’m afraid). Isabel is young and maybe shy, given the stage direction (her only contribution).
Question 3
How does the Prologue set up the plots of the three acts that follow?
Reveal Sample Answer
Question 4
What tone does the Prologue establish?
Possible answer: The Prologue establishes a humorous, lighthearted tone, based on dialogue and stage directions that show the chaos that takes place when the children find out Rosemary is writing a play and then enthusiastically offer differing ideas about its plot.
Question 5
How does the character of Rosemary handle the chaotic situation in the Prologue? What does this reveal about her character?
Possible answer: Rosemary handles the chaotic situation by trying to establish order and control, with the help of James. This reveals that she is organized, responsible, and resourceful, as she manages to calm down the excited children and make decisions about the play.