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)
Question 1
What differing points of view do the characters have? How does the dialogue help you understand these points of view?
The characters have differing points of view on what the play should be about. Some want a desert island with pirates and cannibals, while others prefer a fairy story with a lovely princess. Dialogue helps the reader understand these points of view by showing the characters' reactions and arguments. For example, when Dennis suggests being a cannibal and not having anyone to eat, Caroline is shocked and silent, showing her discomfort with the idea. The back-and-forth between the characters also highlights their conflicting preferences, such as Elsie's preference for a fairy story over pirates. Ultimately, the dialogue reveals the characters' individual desires and ideas for the play, creating a lively and dynamic discussion.
shorter
The characters have differing ideas for the play - some want a desert island with pirates and cannibals, while others prefer a fairy story with a lovely princess. Dialogue shows their reactions and arguments, highlighting their conflicting preferences and individual desires for the play.
What do the stage directions suggest about the characters’ personalities? Consider at least two characters in your response.
The stage directions in the passage suggest a lot about the characters' personalities. For example, James's firm and authoritative actions in picking up Gwendoline and restoring order indicate that he is a responsible and assertive individual who takes charge in chaotic situations. This shows that he is a natural leader and caretaker.
On the other hand, Harold's gloat about cannibals eating people and Caroline's shocked reaction suggest that Harold may have a more mischievous or morbid personality, while Caroline appears more sensitive and compassionate. Their differing reactions to the idea of cannibals highlight their contrasting personalities and values.
By providing these physical actions and reactions in the stage directions, the playwright A. A. Milne effectively conveys the characters' personalities and traits to the readers.