Drama Vocabulary

A Raisin in the Sun

Drama

• A form of literature that is not fully completed until it is performed on stage.

• Also called a play.

Realistic Drama

• This is based on the idea that when we watch a play, we are looking at life through a “fourth wall” that has been removed so we can see the action.

• Many TV shows are filmed this way.• https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=THATPF7cGbU

Stage Directions

• an instruction written as part of the script of a play

• Ruth (wearily): Honey you never say…o The word “wearily” tells the reader/actor how to

say the line.• Walter (mumbling): We one group…o The word “mumbling” tells the reader how to say

the line.

Monologue

• a long speech given by a character in a story, movie, play, etc., or by a performer.

• In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet delivers a brief monologue to the audience.

Foreshadowing

• The use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in the plot.

• In the novel, Of Mice and Men, Lennie getting into trouble in Weed foreshadows that he will get into trouble at the ranch.

Exposition

• The background information in a play or story.

• This usually includes character names, setting, etc.

Internal Conflict

• The struggle involving opposing forces within a person’s mind.

• Internal conflict occurs when a person has to make a tough decision.

External Conflict

• A struggle between opposing forces or characters in a play.

• Person vs. person

• Person vs. nature• Person vs. society

Dynamic Character

• A character who changes in an important way as a result of the story’s action.

• Harry Potter changes and grows more responsible throughout the entire series.

Static Character

• A character who does not change throughout the course of a play or story.

• In Of Mice and Men, Carlson is a static character. He does not change.