“The approach of successive readings at increasingly invested levels is useful for students who are learning an interactive process of analysis. And the examples chosen are engaging. Overall, a strong introduction to script analysis from first impressions to synthesis.” — Ellen Margolis, Pacific University
“My students really enjoy this book. The writing is accessible to those who are first learning the methodology of analyzing scripts.” — Adanma O. Barton, Berea College
“I find this text to be the most accessible, clear, interesting, and incisive approach to play analysis. My directing students leap ahead in their ability to crack open a play and begin to see it three-dimensionally having worked through this text.” — Elizabeth Carlin Metz, Knox College
“I like that after looking at The Glass Menagerie, the text then provides the student with tools to apply this process to the scripts they will analyze.” — Mike King, Northern Kentucky University
“If students use the end-of-chapter questions to analyze most scripts, they will be rewarded with understanding and the ability to discuss the plays intelligently with a team of collaborators.” — Valleri J. Robinson, University of Illinois, Urbana
“This is an excellent book for practitioners and students of theater alike.” — Marjorie Hayes, University of North Texas
137 pages, $22.95 list
1-4786-3467-7
978-1-4786-3467-6
© 2017
paperback
eBook availability
Introduction to Play Analysis
Second Edition
In this indispensable companion to any theatre class in which scripts are read and interpreted, Pritner and Walters offer five sequential levels of reading designed to lead to a deep understanding of the text. Level one imagines the play as performed in front of an audience; level two examines the deep structure of the conflict; level three examines given circumstances and the type of relationship the play creates between the audience and the production; level four looks closely at characters’ behavior and reactions to their given circumstances, surveys conflict in each scene, and encourages supplemental research about the play; and level five synthesizes the information acquired from the preceding levels.
Each chapter introduces a concept that is then explored by studying its application to The Glass Menagerie, chosen for both its accessibility and its complexity. Other plays discussed include works by Molière, Shakespeare, Sophocles, and August Wilson. End-of-chapter questions are applicable to any play.
Scott Walters has applied the techniques presented in the book to Susan Glaspell's play Trifles. It serves as a great companion to students using Introduction to Play Analysis and can be found at: books2read.com/PlayAnalysisinAction.
Each chapter introduces a concept that is then explored by studying its application to The Glass Menagerie, chosen for both its accessibility and its complexity. Other plays discussed include works by Molière, Shakespeare, Sophocles, and August Wilson. End-of-chapter questions are applicable to any play.
Scott Walters has applied the techniques presented in the book to Susan Glaspell's play Trifles. It serves as a great companion to students using Introduction to Play Analysis and can be found at: books2read.com/PlayAnalysisinAction.
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INTRODUCTION: The Why and What of Play Analysis
Why Analyze a Play? / What Is Analysis? / Reading at Multiple Levels / The Glass Menagerie / The Influence of Aristotle, Stanislavsky, and Others
LEVEL ONE: First Impressions
1. The First Reading
Play Analysis Leads to “Doing” / Techniques for a First Reading / A Structural Concept of Comedy, Tragedy, and Drama / A First Reading of The Glass Menagerie / Questions for a First Reading of Any Play
LEVEL TWO: The Essence of Drama
2. Conflict
Concepts in Conflict Analysis / The Structure of Dramatic Conflict / Process for Determining the Conflict / Conflict in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about the Conflict-Resolution Structure in Any Play
LEVEL THREE: Gathering Information
3. Given Circumstances
Given Circumstances: Stated and Implied / Accuracy and Given Circumstances / Research Sources / Backstory: Events and Relationships that Precede the Play / Setting: The Play’s When and Where / Social Systems that Affect the Characters / Cultural Norms / Plays in Translation / Plays in Fantastical Settings / Plays Emphasize Different Given Circumstances / Gathering Information on Given Circumstances in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about Given Circumstances in Any Play / Organizing Information about Given Circumstances
4. Theatrical Contract
Contracts vs. Conventions / Presentational and Representational Contracts / Realistic and Nonrealistic Contracts / The Theatrical Contract in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about the Theatrical Contract in Any Play
LEVEL FOUR: Interpretation
5. Characters
Aspects of Characters / Stage Directions as Character Information / Language Informs Us about Characters / Dialogue Suggests Characters’ Physical Actions / Characters Evoke Conflict, and Conflict Reveals Character / Characters in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about Characters in Any Play
6. Conflict Analysis Applied to a Scene
The Scene as a Unit of Conflict / Conflict Analysis Applied to Scene 2 of The Glass Menagerie / Smaller Units: Actions and Beats / Actions and Beats in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about the Conflict-Resolution Structure in Any Scene
7. Supplemental Research
Types of Supplemental Research / Summary
LEVEL FIVE: Bringing It Together
8. Synthesis
Conflict vs. Theme / Relating Other Elements to Conflict / Questions about Synthesis in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about Synthesis in Any Play / Testing and Enriching Our Analysis through Outside Resources / Conclusion
Appendix 1: Analyzing Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Appendix 2: Character Maps
Key Terms
Why Analyze a Play? / What Is Analysis? / Reading at Multiple Levels / The Glass Menagerie / The Influence of Aristotle, Stanislavsky, and Others
LEVEL ONE: First Impressions
1. The First Reading
Play Analysis Leads to “Doing” / Techniques for a First Reading / A Structural Concept of Comedy, Tragedy, and Drama / A First Reading of The Glass Menagerie / Questions for a First Reading of Any Play
LEVEL TWO: The Essence of Drama
2. Conflict
Concepts in Conflict Analysis / The Structure of Dramatic Conflict / Process for Determining the Conflict / Conflict in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about the Conflict-Resolution Structure in Any Play
LEVEL THREE: Gathering Information
3. Given Circumstances
Given Circumstances: Stated and Implied / Accuracy and Given Circumstances / Research Sources / Backstory: Events and Relationships that Precede the Play / Setting: The Play’s When and Where / Social Systems that Affect the Characters / Cultural Norms / Plays in Translation / Plays in Fantastical Settings / Plays Emphasize Different Given Circumstances / Gathering Information on Given Circumstances in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about Given Circumstances in Any Play / Organizing Information about Given Circumstances
4. Theatrical Contract
Contracts vs. Conventions / Presentational and Representational Contracts / Realistic and Nonrealistic Contracts / The Theatrical Contract in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about the Theatrical Contract in Any Play
LEVEL FOUR: Interpretation
5. Characters
Aspects of Characters / Stage Directions as Character Information / Language Informs Us about Characters / Dialogue Suggests Characters’ Physical Actions / Characters Evoke Conflict, and Conflict Reveals Character / Characters in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about Characters in Any Play
6. Conflict Analysis Applied to a Scene
The Scene as a Unit of Conflict / Conflict Analysis Applied to Scene 2 of The Glass Menagerie / Smaller Units: Actions and Beats / Actions and Beats in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about the Conflict-Resolution Structure in Any Scene
7. Supplemental Research
Types of Supplemental Research / Summary
LEVEL FIVE: Bringing It Together
8. Synthesis
Conflict vs. Theme / Relating Other Elements to Conflict / Questions about Synthesis in The Glass Menagerie / Questions about Synthesis in Any Play / Testing and Enriching Our Analysis through Outside Resources / Conclusion
Appendix 1: Analyzing Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Appendix 2: Character Maps
Key Terms