Jaws of the Water
ACT TWO
At rise we see DAD, TINA, and MARK rushing in and out of the living room. Each enters carrying important items—such as sleeping bags, rain gear, and gallons of water—sets them down, and exits. All three come in together, and MOM bursts through the front door.
DAD: Where’s the water now?
MOM: As high as the car’s wheels.
DAD: We’d better go.
MOM: We can’t. The car’s dead.
DAD: What?
MOM: The water is up to the engine; it won’t start.
TINA: Oh, no!
MARK: What can we do?
DAD: I don’t know. (He looks through the window.) It isn’t raining now.
MOM: The water is still rising. The levee must have broken.
TINA: Will we drown?
MARK: Can’t we swim away?
DAD: No! That’s too dangerous. What we need is a boat!
MARK: I wish we had one!
TINA: We’re going to drown!
DAD: (reaching to hug her) No, honey. We’ll just go upstairs. If we have to, we’ll climb onto the roof. (to Mark) Let’s get jugs of water and the camp stove upstairs. I’ll get the canned food out of the basement.
MOM: Be careful! (She smiles and nods as DAD waves a flashlight and exits. MOM turns to MARK and TINA, gripping each child’s shoulder.) Listen to me. None of us is going to be hurt. Do you hear me? No one will be hurt! The worst that will happen is we’ll be cold and wet for a while. (She looks from one to the other.) We’re together, and we’re in our home. We have water and food, and we can climb above the rising water. But just as importantly, we aren’t alone! Other people—our friends and neighbors—are living through this flood with us.
Little by little, everyone will work together to make sure no one is harmed. We’re part of a community. Our family is much larger than just the four of us!
(DAD returns, dripping wet and carrying a box of canned food.)
MARK: Here, let me help you.
My question is: How do Mom’s actions reveal her character?
Thanks for any help. :)
This is what I think:
She clearly has a very motherly character about her as she is a mother. You can see that the children are frightened but she tells them that everything will be OK. I get the sense that she is also frightened by the events that are occurring but she is the rock of the family and as such she has a tough exterior. She tries sharing optimistic thoughts in hopes of calming down those around her. She also seems to be a team player since she is working together with her husband and mentions that they are part of a community; not just a family of 4.
Thank you so much Lena; I definitely agree. I just had a hard time putting my thoughts into words, but you did that perfectly. I really appreciate it. :)
No problem :D
To understand how Mom's actions reveal her character, we need to analyze the given text and identify her behaviors and attitudes. Here are the steps you can follow to find the answer:
1. Identify the specific actions and statements made by Mom:
- Bursting through the front door, indicating urgency and concern for the family's well-being.
- Providing information about the water level being high and the car not starting.
- Expressing worry and considering the possible dangers they face.
- Offering reassurance and comfort to the children, emphasizing that they won't be harmed.
- Highlighting the importance of community and unity during a crisis.
- Smiling and nodding when Dad returns, showing support and optimism.
2. Analyze Mom's actions and statements:
- Mom's immediate response, bursting through the door, indicates her proactive nature and strong sense of responsibility towards her family.
- By keeping track of the water level and informing the others, Mom shows her resourcefulness and ability to assess the situation.
- Mom's concern for the children's safety and her eagerness to provide comfort and assurance reflects her love and nurturing nature.
- By emphasizing unity and the strength of their community, Mom demonstrates her positive outlook and belief in collective support during difficult times.
- The smile and nod when Dad returns soaked and carrying supplies further exhibits her resilience and ability to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
3. Draw conclusions about Mom's character:
- Mom is portrayed as a strong and proactive individual who takes charge during emergencies.
- Her resourcefulness and ability to remain composed in difficult situations demonstrate her resilience and problem-solving skills.
- Mom's love for her family is evident through her efforts to reassure and comfort them.
- Her belief in the power of community and unity highlights her positive outlook and ability to draw strength from others.
- Overall, Mom's actions reveal her as a caring, adaptable, and optimistic character who acts as a stabilizing force for her family.
By following these steps and analyzing Mom's actions and statements, you can deduce the character traits that her actions reveal.